Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Our First 90

Confession: I'm extremely embarrassed to post this because I am mortified by my before pictures.  However, I keep reminding myself, that's the old me.  I will never be her again, because I am sick of starting over. I will only keep going. 

This....is why I go to the gym 5-days a week.  

This....is why I Mad Dance every week. 

I can do things now that I have never been able to do my entire life, even including two years ago when I lost so much weight - I lacked lean muscle.  I can do an entire workout based around push-ups, side kicks through an entire dance song, planks, 130 squats and still going...I will finish the squat challenge and complete 250 squats......push-ups, push-ups, push-ups!  As my husband says, "Doing things you have never done before, in your entire life, is AMAZING."

I ViSalus not because it's a magic shake that will make me lose weight.  but I ViSalus because I know I have issues with food and ViSalus takes the worry out if eating.  It is convenient, healthy, easy to make and cheaper than eating out for lunch.  I never, not one time, have felt guilty for drinking a shake.  I know my body is getting fueled properly.  I know that by eating within my calorie allotment, I will be where I want to be.  

I will reach my goals because I believe in myself so I know I will see the results!

Our first 90-Day Challenge is complete. I have lost 13 inches and 18 pounds.  Patrick has lost 12.5 inches, 15 pounds and he's gained a lot of defined muscle...I assure you ;)

Let's see where 90 more takes us. 



Anora:   anora.myvi.net
Patrick:   pmo.myvi.net

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Dear Dean...

As I write the last blog of my first 90-day challenge, I realize I have so many people who have supported me through this process.  For example, my brother, David, and sister-in-law, Christina, have been awesome team mates!! I seriously look forward to seeing their continued changes.  We have come so far over the course of three months - Christina can certainly do some killer butt lifts.

Then there's my amazing sister-in-law, Kelly, who has taken Seamus (and sometimes the big kids too) every single day, five days per week for an hour, over the last two months, so Patrick and I could workout.  Plus she has joined me at Mad Dance which has been such a fun experience to share with her (especially with our gangsta headbands).  

My husband is right by my side telling me on a near daily basis, things like, "babe, you need to give yourself more credit, you are doing great."  He pushes me to do my best and lifts my spirit when I'm down.  The checking me out and compliments certainly boost my ego!  

My kids love seeing my new muscles (...not that I'm showing off or anything) and they always ask if we have been to the gym yet; I love that they expect us to go every day.  If I even considered skipping a day, I'd feel like I was letting them down. 

Then, there's this guy named Dean.  He's a fitness coach, motivator, friend, mentor and counselor all rolled into one cool person.  Dean has shared some of his big picture ideas for Challenge Fitness, and although I'm not sure how much I can share, I know I can say he is going to change a lot of lives!  

One of the most impactful things for me to see in order to believe in myself, are before/after (or for me, current progress) photos. So as a photographer on the side, I have offered to do before and after photos (including an "after" mini-session) for his 90-day Challenge participants completely free.  I am just so excited to be a part of changing people's lives by genuinely and lovingly supporting people the best way I can. 

I cannot do as great of a job without the support of these really incredible people, so a huge a thank you to each of you.  I will reach my goals - as Dean says Believe to See.   I believe I will see results....I already do....