Can you say ZOOM BAH?? Zumba

Wow!! So it has been almost 10 months since I posted anything in my blog. So what on earth can I tell you about the last bit-o time??

Before updating you on my weight loss I must share (in the words of my daughter Hannah) my "newest and longest lasting passion." (Other than that I have for my husband.) ZUMBA. I'm not really sure at what point I started going to Zumba. I know I had taken a class here and there. While is was fun I never really felt I could keep up and so didn't jump on board; right away, that is!! Looking back at my blog I must not have really developed a passion for it until AFTER the new year.

My girlfriend asked for some accountability so I started dragging her to Zumba. I didn't have to drag her for long because something happened. We met a few other gals that really enjoyed it as well as the instructor, my mentor and Zumba mama "Cheryl" and then I just couldn't stop going.

That passion drove me onward in my exercise and soon I wanted to be an instructor. This was all very exciting. I would wake up at night singing Zumba songs I hadn't heard in days. It occurred to my that for the last 15 years I had, at times, wanted to someday teach aerobics but never got the weight issues under control. Praise the Lord my dream has come true. The Zumba instructors I have here are very encouraging and without them I would not have been prepared. (Sending out love here to Carlos "Papi" Reyes and Cheryl Martinez. XOXO) I teach 3 times a week now and next week it goes up to 5. I hope my body can keep up with the excitement in my soul. As I cut my friend Nikki's hair today she asked me about my total weight loss. I said, kind of sorrily, that it was only 60lbs. To which she replied "I remember you coming to Zumba a year ago and not even being able to keep up. NOW you are instructing." Praise the Lord for her timely words of encouragement to me.

So...what about the weight you ask?? I haven't lost a lot of weight in the last 9 months...just an additional 6 lbs bringing me to a total of 60lbs. I have, however, lost a lot of inches. I am down another size and definitely much more toned than before. I had stopped counting my WW points and had learned to live this new life without dieting. What a wonderful thing to find out; I can eat what I want within reason and NOT gain weight if I just exercise.

Today I started a fitness challenge at the Y. It will last 6 weeks and consist of strength training, stretching and of course, Zumba. I have gone back to counting points now and hopefully some TTapp added in. Wish me luck....see you in 6 weeks.

If this is the first time you have read my blog you may wish to go back and read through my journey. I hope it inspires and encourages you to get healthy. God can use anyone to accomplish His good purpose; whether we are sickly or healthy. However...He does call us to take care of the temple and that is my goal. Perhaps a healthy body can be more readily available to be called into action.

Ready to be called forth,

LeAnn

Out with the old...now what for the new?

Out with the old...It has been 9 months since I started this weight loss journey. By years end I have lost 54 lbs. Just missing my goal by 6 lbs. However...I had challenged myself to work out every day for 28 days (til the end of the year) and burn 500 calories each workout. For me that was about an hour and a half of cardio/strength training per day. Whew...somedays I was exhausted and some days I skipped. I quickly learned that skipping meant double the next day. NOT FUN!! Having met the challenge by years end, missing the 60 total lb goal didn't seem very disappointing. You would assume that 6 lbs would have come off with all the extra calorie burning but in actuality...I was hungry more often and really just mantained. I can't complain though as it did allow me to have a little more of the Holiday goodies.

In with the new...I hope to continue on the journey and enjoy a new wardrobe by spring. With the new year in full swing I hope to revamp my attitude and get my food choices back in full swing. Seems I have slacked off a little and allowed some extra crappy carbs back into my diet so hopefully I can turn that around; exchanging coffee/cream for hot tea, no more worthless chips, more fruit/veggies and back to my portion control. As for exercise...well it is back down to 5 days a week; two strength training and 3 cardio.

So are you wondering where I am at with my past challenges and exercise?

Running: I started a running program that would ultimately get me running for 30 minutes straight. I was doing really well with that despite struggles with learning to breath, sore feet and sore knees. I am still striving for this goal but not with as much interest. Managing to run 20 minutes at a time has been accomplished but I get bored easily so have decided to just run a few days a week along with other exercise. If I get bored I tend to start having feelings of quitting so need to change things up a bit.

T-Tapp: I initially lost a lot of weight with T-tapp DVDs. I intend to add this in again 3 days a week as it only takes 15 minutes and can be part of my cardio. This was phenominal at getting my core stronger and I dropped a full size in just one month with it.

Trainer: I am still working with a trainer once a week. This has been a really good thing for me because it started me on the strength training that I had not been doing. Christine kicks my butt and helps me see my potential. When I started I could only do about 2 minutes on the elliptical but now I easily do 30 minutes. My mind gets bored long before my body tires. Ha Ha! I see more definition in my muscles and that is exciting. I told my girls that if/when they get married I am going to be the hottest woman there besides them/bride. LOL!!

Classes/DVDs: I still use my Leslie Sansone Express DVDs and have added in Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser), The Firm, water aerobics and Zumba. I would like to check out some new classes at the Y like Yoga, pilates and maybe muscle pump or muscle toolbox. YIKES! Those scare me.

Long term goal: another 60ish lbs.
Short term goal: 20-40 lbs by April 24th (Nieces wedding in St. Maarten.)
Challenge: at least 5 lbs and one size down by February 1st.

Wish me luck and send up some knee-mail.

Through Christ to a stronger, lighter me,

LeAnn