Focus on the Positives

This week I noticed that once again I had lost inches, but not really any significant pounds during the weigh-in. However, I am completely focused on the positives! One being, I have more energy and I am able to do exercises for a longer period of time than I was before. So to me those are definite signs that things have been working in some areas. And again as I stated last week, my clothing is also fitting loosely so to me that is another sign that the program is working and I need to go shopping soon! When I go shopping I will also make sure I pick out some new sneakers. I noticed that my calves had been sore so I received a tip from Maia to get some new kicks to see if that helps the issue. So I plan on doing that this week! I am also making sure that I stretch more during my weekend workouts because that could be a part of the issue as well.

My goal this week is to continue focusing on the positives during my workouts and outside of this challenge as well. I just purchased a new book called Food, Fitness and Faith for Women - A 21 Day Journey to a New You. As some of you know, I enjoy posting positive quotes not only to this blog but to my Facebook and Twitter accounts so I am always looking for inspiration from various sources. After this challenge I plan on starting this 21 day journey and continue on my weight loss goals. I think this challenge was just the beginning, but what a wonderful beginning it was to really start a lifestyle change. I am looking forward to the last few weeks in the program and in a way, can't believe how fast the time has gone. Wow. It almost made me sad for a minute that this will be done in two weeks! Shaking off those thoughts and getting ready to start another week with the boot camp crew! :-)

Mind over Matter...Inches over Pounds?!

"Woke up this morning... I put on

my happy face!"

This weekend I was able to experience the kazaxe and boot camp tag team workout. Can we say... awesome! I enjoyed the combo class and hope that it becomes a regular event at KZX. Had way too much fun working out! This weekend I also experienced some minor set backs since starting the challenge, however I didn't let those things get me too upset. Instead, I try to keep my mind focused on all the positives that I have achieved. I don't allow myself dwell on anything that gets me upset for too long. I think it is important to acknowledge what's wrong, then channel that energy into something more productive, which is something I have to work at daily! 

What I have noticed is that although I have been feeling like I am losing weight, (my clothes are fitting me loosely, etc) my scales at home have a totally different story - LOL! I've lost inches, but not anymore weight. In fact, I gained a few pounds back. It's sort of weird because all my friends and family have been commenting that I look slimmer, but my weight is at a standstill at the moment. We only have a couple of weeks left to go so I really plan on pushing it even harder so I can see a change in weight and inches hopefully. 


The great news is I am able to get to "Level 3" on some of the exercise moves, so I plan on trying to get to that level with more exercises this week. I absolutely love how the coaches walk around and demonstrate the correct way to do the move, then encourage us to push it even harder! Thank you so much to everyone who has done that for me! I really do appreciate how helpful everyone is in getting us to our goals. Positive people help you achieve positive results so I've also tried to limit my interactions with folks who I've noticed aren't really supportive of my goals. I remember when we began the test group Maia even said we may have some people in our lives not support us in the way we thought they would. It's disappointing to have that happen, but again, I don't dwell on things for long and continue to be thankful for all the wonderful things that have occurred! Ready for Week 7! :-)


One of my "happy" songs - :-)

"You attract people with similar attitudes and beliefs based on how you act. Be positive and positive things will happen to you; you'll also be surrounded by other positive people."

“If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough will change a past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a different reality system.” William James 

Stage Fright - LOL!

Well, here we are folks, finishing up week three. Can't believe how fast time is flying. I'm still feeling pretty happy about my decision and was even more excited to learn that I had lost 7 pounds since the start of this journey! Looks like I may have to up my initial goal of losing 10 pounds because I really do wish to lose a little more weight. I have a confession to make in that I originally made my weight loss goal lower than I normally would. Don't get me KZX coaches! I knew I wanted to slim down more than 10 pounds, but it has always been so hard for me to lose weight in the past and I didn't want to be disappointed...again. 


But, I see that I was wrong in not believing in this program, and even more so, for not believing in myself... as a man thinketh, right? I had even more of an opportunity, so to speak (haha!) to believe in myself when I was called on stage during one of our workouts! If it's one thing I have always been kinda good at, is blending in the background when I want to... LOL! Don't know if that is a good thing or bad, maybe it comes from being horribly shy as a child,  or growing up in a household with five (yes, five) siblings. It was kinda easy to drift off and do your own thing as long as you stayed out of trouble. Mom and pops didn't play that!  So I thought I had this blending technique perfected. Until I was called on stage! 

Mad random, I know! Went with my 

stage fright thoughts - haha! Plus 

this was a great series of books

I enjoyed as a child! :-)

The hardest part was just getting the nerve to go up there in front of everyone. After I stopped envisioning myself falling off the side of that thing, (clumsiness seems to be something else I have perfected too...) I began to relax and focus more on the movements in each exercise. I listened to Maia's voice as she directed the class and found out that I could do a little bit more, move a little faster, jump a bit higher, and so on. I see why going on stage is part of this program and I would encourage every one to try this because it does give you a different perspective. Now during the workouts, I try to pretend that I am on stage again which makes me focus even more on executing each move correctly and getting the maximum benefit from each routine. Like Maia would say, "Don't waste this time here, do your best with each move!"


My goals as we step into week four is to just keep pushing myself and to continue losing inches/weight. I'm seeing positive changes not only in my body but also in how I view working out and getting in shape in general. And that is a great feeling!

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't --- you're right."

~Henry Ford

Day 1: The “Monumental” Task

Yesterday was the first day of me being a part of the Test group at BOOTCAMP -KZX! I must say it was quite the journey for me even deciding to sign up for this challenge, but I am very happy that I have taken on this goal. Yes, I wanted to get in better shape, but I had all sorts of reasons why I couldn’t dedicate to this group. “I work long hours,” I said… “I probably won’t have the time…”  “Four days a week would be impossible for me to come to KZX!”  “I have to be there from 6:30 to 9 some nights? What if I want to do other things during that time? ”  “Will I survive all those workouts!”  LOL

These are only a few of the negative thoughts that immediately came to mind when I thought about signing up.  However, soon after all those doubts surfaced, another thought came to mind about how I’ve been  willing to make sacrifices for so many other people, goals, dreams, etc.,  how could I not make my health a priority? Which would invariably make it so much easier for me to help others even more and reach other goals?  Eureka moment-haha! Clearly the pros outweighed the cons, and here I am – a proud member of the group.

Now, this is not to say I’m 100% free of those negative thoughts; on the contrary folks! I battle them still, but I found that the more I focus on all the benefits, the less power those hindering thoughts have over me.  I also have awesome coaches (shout out to #teamDANGer-haha!) and friends who keep me super motivated, so I’m not facing this challenge alone.  Speaking of awesome friends; after class, my pal (and boot camp superstar!) Jee had a great idea about getting in another workout, yet having fun at the same time.  So somehow we ended up in DC!

We decided to take a nice, brisk walk around the monuments and were even able to get a view of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial which just opened. For a few minutes we rented bicycles from Capital Bike Share, but apparently my hand, eye coordination (and balance) is not the best at night on a bike.  That’s all I will say on that subject –LOL. Either way, the overall message of this post was about stepping outside of yourself and doing something new!  Regardless if you’re good at that new thing or not, in shape, or not, confident or not, whatever the case may be.  Just believe in yourself, step outside your comfort zone, surround yourself with positive people and you can get there!

If you are facing a new challenge or being asked to do something that you have never done before, don’t be afraid to step out. You have more capability than you think you do, but you will never see it unless you place a demand on yourself for more. -

Joyce Meyer