Week 4 - The Year of Change

Even though we were off from school this past Monday, it felt like the longest week.  Anybody else?  I decided to change up my workout routine a little and I switched up to the Ultimate Warrior Hybrid workout schedule for Body Combat.  This one has DVD's for more intense upper body and lower body workouts.  It also has a 20 minute "Core Attack" workout and then a 20 minute stretch workout.  I enjoyed it.  My arms and core were very sore the next day though.  :)  I am still enjoying all of the workouts.  My Challenge Group has been such an inspiration to me.  They keep encouraging this tired mamma.  They are some very sweet ladies.
I'm happy that I've been staying on my eating and even making good choices.  My Shakeology has really been helping me with those cravings and keeping me full.  My good friend Judi invited the girls and I to have dinner with her at Cracker Barrel this past Friday night.  We LOVE Cracker Barrel.  I hadn't had a chance to have my afternoon snack yet, when she invited us so I drank my shake.  That helped me from losing self control at CB.  I chose from the lighter menu and got their Catfish with broccoli and a sweet potato.

 It really was yummy!  I've been kind of winging my dinners each night (I'll figure it out that morning).  This week, I laid out a menu for the next 2 weeks.  I found a bunch of new recipes on Pinterest that I'm going to try.  I'm excited.  I keep my breakfast and lunch pretty much the same.  That's less that I have to think about.  I make my lunch, the next day's Shakeo, and Mia's lunch the night before.  That way it is one less thing to worry about in the morning so that I can focus on my workout, quiet time and getting the girls up and all of our breakfasts.
This week I've realized that not everybody is going to be on board with what I'm doing or believe in what I'm doing.  I finally had to realize that is okay.  I just have to be mindful of the amount of time that I am around them.  I want to be surrounded by others that will cheer me on (my girls are AWESOME at that) and that will believe in me and this process.  I know that some people don't believe in Shakeology.  I am now a believer.  Not only do I love the taste, but it is taking away cravings and it's great for one of my snacks (it helps that it is healthy too!).  If you're wanting to learn more about it, check out this video:

http://www.teambeachbody.com/showcase/-/bcp/637865717001/550801?referringRepId=550801

This week, I went down 3.4 more pounds.  When I took a sneak peak on Saturday, I was down 2 more pounds (my official weigh in is tomorrow).  So, I've gone from 177.8 to 168.4.  Woo-hoo!  It's been so long since I've been around this weight (summer of 2011 to be exact).  I am excited about this process.  I know that not everyone's bodies work the same way.  I'm sure that my body will slow down soon.  Some start out strong and slow down and some start slow and then pick up (with the losing weight).  I'm just taking one day at a time and trusting in this process.  If you are tired of where you're at, don't wait any longer to do something about it.  Do it for yourself.  I am excited about the new Challenge Group that is coming up starting on Feb. 9th.  I'm excited about the team of women that I am paired up with.  I love that we are here to encourage each other to be the best that we can be!

What are you doing to live a healthy lifestyle?  How are you rewarding yourself?  How are you handling those emotionally hard days?  The Romagnolo women are emotional eaters.  We tend to eat our feelings.  The past week, it has taken EVERYTHING in me not to do that.  How do you handle those moments?
I'd love to have you on my team!!!  Now is YOUR time!!

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Compassion and Confident

I find it funny that when you are studying and trying to be more like Jesus, that suddenly opportunities come your way that help you put into practice those very things that you are learning.  This week in my study in "A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus" by Elizabeth George, the focus was on the characteristics of Compassion and Confident.  These were some very convicting chapters.  The first thing that hit me was when Elizabeth said this, "Jesus was not upset.  He didn't fall apart because His plan was thwarted.  He wasn't frustrated or upset with people.  And He wasn't irritated by this interruption.  No, He was moved with compassion."  Wow!  Yeah, I don't really react like that when things don't go my way or I am interrupted.  How many times have the girls interrupted me in the middle of something and I am NOT happy?  I don't know about you, but I have a LONG way to go on this one and much to learn!  Jesus was constantly interrupted.  Even when He tried to help His men get rest, but He never complained.  He worked so hard and pushed through His tiredness.  He did this because His heart was full of compassion and love.  He saw a need and He met it.  Through all of it though, He made sure that He had time to pray about everything.  That is the most important action of compassion.  We must seek Him before we serve.  If we don't, we might make wrong choices.
Jesus was also Confident.  There are 2 different kinds of trust or confidence:  trusting in one's self or trusting in Jesus.  At the age of 12, Jesus showed great confidence in His Heavenly Father.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take."  God has a plan for us.  We can't always see what He's doing or why things are happening the way they are.  Now, this is where these two characteristics came into play this past week.  There were several days this week that one or both of my girls made bad choices at school.  One day, the youngest had to go sit in the front office until she cooled down.  I can't be the calm, cool mom who handles these situations with grace (which is ironic since my name means "one of grace").  Oh no, I got angry!  Before you freak, no I did not discipline in anger.  I gave myself time to calm down.  There were a few nights with some very quiet car rides home because mommy was fuming.  Why?  Why do I let it get to me?  My goal is to one day say, "sucks to be you" and dole out the punishment.  JK!  I wouldn't say that.  I will say that after they received their punishments, we would hug, cuddle and talk about our choices and what we could have done instead.  So, maybe there was some compassion involved.  It wasn't quick enough though.  Then there's the confident part.  There were several nights that I was asking God, "are you sure that you picked the right person to be their mom?  I'm not equipped for this!"  Ah!!  There you go my friends...does He call the equipped?  NO!  He calls us as we are and THEN He equips us.  He CHOSE me, dysfunctions and all.  :)
I was feeling very defeated this week.  While I've been doing great on my fitness journey (down 7 lbs so far), I was feeling very inadequate as a mom.  It didn't help to end the week by discovering that my 5 yr old had lice for the 2nd time.  Ugh!!!  So, my Saturday was spent de-licing children and home.  I thought that my "bad" week was supposed to end on Friday night.  I felt so bad for my youngest.  She had worked so hard to turn her rough week around so that she could go to a friend's birthday party and then we couldn't go.  I'll have to think of some way to make it up to her.  Maybe I'll take them to Disney and to see their Poppy and Nana over Spring Break!  DONE!!!  :)
The reality of all of this is that I really didn't have a "bad" week when you compare it to the lives of others.  I have two friends that have lost loved one over the past few months.  My best friend had to undergo an emergency surgery a little bit ago.  My emotionally trying week is nothing.  I still often wonder why God thought that I could and should do this alone, but He always reminds me that He is in control (not me).  Nothing is a surprise to Him.  When my 4  (going on 14) yr old sasses me, He saw it coming and has given me the tools to handle it.  If I (& you) continue to seek Him during our difficult moments, we will come out stronger and blessed.  He loves us.  No one will ever love us as much as He loves us.  He wants us to grow and be more like Him.
I am not perfect.  Trust me!  I get hit in the face daily with my inadequacy, but that is a good thing.  I can use those times to focus on the One that my confidence is found in.  I don't say all of this for any of you to boast me up.  I'm being real folks.  We don't always see behind the closed doors.  I know that this week is another week to continue to work on being more compassionate toward others.  It's going to be a day by day process for this mama who does not have the gift of mercy.  In fact, God allowed me to practice it as I put my girls to bed and my 5 yr old began crying because she was going to miss me at school tomorrow.  My first reaction would've been to blow it off and say, "ah you'll be all right."  Then, I wanted to laugh because I knew our dear friend JoeJoe had worn her out and she was very tired (& therefore emotional).  Instead, I got down by her bed, hugged her and prayed with her.  It's a day by day process.  This characteristic does not come naturally for me.  I'm going to have to pray every day for God to show me how to be compassionate and to whom I should be compassionate to.  I'm sure that He is going to be more than happy to oblige.  :)  What is God teaching you lately?

Seek Him my friends and hugs to you!

Ann

Week 3 - The Year of Change

I just finished week 3 of my program.  I am still loving it.  Getting up at 3:45 am hasn't been fun, but once I start working out, I feel great!!  Luckily, I only had to get up that early twice this week.  :)  When I weighed myself this past Monday, I had lost 4 lbs.  Woo-hoo!  I took a sneak peek yesterday and was down 2 more!  I even had a student comment that I was losing weight!  I haven't weighed this much for a few years!  I still have about 24 more to go, but I know that it is a process.  I love the Body Combat program and I can't wait to do the Body Pump program next.  I have really missed it!  I am really enjoying my Shakeology each day too.  I chose chocolate to start out.  I've tried Vanilla and Strawberry and liked them too.  The girls really liked the Strawberry too.  :)

One of my favorite parts of this process has been being a part of a Challenge Group.  This is a closed Facebook group that is lead by my good friend Claire  (check out her blog here).  She has put together a great group of ladies.  Every day, we are encouraging each other.  I used to have that when I did the Les Mills classes in FL.  I've missed having the encouragement and the accountability.  If you remember from my last fitness post, I am now a Beachbody Coach.  I am excited about this new phase.  I know that it will push me to stay accountable.  This really has to be a lifestyle change.  I am joining Claire next month on her next Group Challenge.  Have you been wanting to start making changes?  Now is the time!  One of my best friends in high school shared with me a quote that his father had once told him and it has always stuck with me..."You make time for the things that are important to you!"  Let me ask you this...who in your life is important to you too?  For me, I am the only parent that my girls have.  It is important not only to set good examples for them, but to make good choices so that I will be around.
Let me know if you want to know more about the Challenge Group.  Here are some pictures from my workouts below.  I thought that I might have been overloading your newsfeed over the past few weeks, so I took a break for a few days.  I'll keep posting pics though if it is encouraging you!  :)

Tune in next week to see more progress!! Oh, and click on the link below if you are interested in more info on the Challenge Group!!

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Approachable & Available

I follow several women bloggers.  One of them recently posted that she remembered her mother always being in the Word.  Her mom was always looking for ways to soak in the Word of God, whether it was reading it, listening to sermons, etc.  That got me thinking...I remember my mother always reading her Bible.  In fact, it was my mom who taught me what it meant to have a "quiet time".  I realized that I have been very slack in my quiet times and being in the Word this year.  I want that to change too.  Remember, this is The Year of Change!  :)  I want my girls to see me reading and studying God's Word.  I want God to shape me and mold me into the best mom that I can be.  I can't do that unless I'm constantly in His Word and spending quality time with Him.  So, I have started a new study.  It's called, "A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus" by Elizabeth George.

It's a 30 day study that goes through the different character traits of Jesus.  I've decided to take longer and each day really dig into it with the questions in the study guide that I also got.  The first two traits that she starts with are Approachable and Available. This study has already been tugging at my heart.  I've come to realize that I am not very approachable.  I'm just being real with you.  I started asking myself questions...How is my tone of voice when I am interrupted?  Do I stop and look at people?  Do I smile?  Is my expression open?  Jesus didn't allow crowds, busyness or a crazy schedule to stop Him from helping others or to keep Him from being approachable.  He was also available to all.  It didn't matter how busy He was.  The most important thing that is noted in scripture here, is that Jesus made time to spend praying to God and He followed His direction.  He prayed about who to minister to first.  Elizabeth George says, "The available person is a ready person, prepared and eager to respond when she believes she can help and has something to give."  My challenge is not getting so busy with life that I don't have time to be available.  I pray daily that my girls will have servant's hearts, but am I modeling that for them?  Being available DOES NOT mean saying "yes" to everything.  Jesus went where God told Him to go.  Even if people put pressure on you or can't understand why you can't even give up just one day or weekend, you have to do what is best for you and your family.  I've had to learn that as a single mom.  My first priority is to my children.  Not only does my busyness not honor God, but it hurts my children.  They are my mission field right now.  Am I showing them how to be approachable to others and to also be available to others?  Am I teaching them that if someone has a need and we have the ability to help meet that need, that we should seize that opportunity?  Not only are my little ones watching me on my fitness journey, but they are also watching me in my walk with Christ.  The spring semester is always a crazy one for us (more me).  So I am already looking for ways that I can be intentional with my sweet girls, whether it's how I respond to them or just by spending time with them.  I can tell you this, I've probably had to apologize a few times already this week for not being "approachable" because I was tired from not sleeping well.  I've had to apologize for snapping at them and losing my "cool".  I used to think that I understood what my friends' lives were like (the ones that had kids), but secretly I couldn't get what the big deal was or why they didn't have time for me.  Now I TOTALLY get it!  Ha!!  :)  This is a journey folks.  As I continue this journey, I'm gonna be real with you.  It's a process.  How are you at being approachable and available?  Be intentional this week!!

Ann

Week 2 - the Year of Change

Week 2 of "The Year of Change" just finished.  Whew!  I have completed week 2 of Body Combat and I am still loving it (still hating burpees though)!  I even survived the 60 minute workout session (twice!).  I haven't worked out that long for a few years.  I've made it a goal to not hit the snooze button, which I am famous for.  So far, so good.  There have been some very early mornings that made for longs days.  There were mornings that I didn't want to get up, but then I remembered all of the pictures that I've been posting or see my friend (& coach), Claire's pictures and knew that I had to do it!  My girls are counting on me!  I've laid off of the tv during the weeknights and go sit in bed and read right after I put the girls to bed and fall asleep shortly after.  I haven't been sleeping well, but I'm hoping that's just my body re-adjusting to getting back to school.  Several of my friends that I follow on Instagram are either Beach Body Coaches or Fitness Trainers and they will post their meals to encourage their team.  This week I've paid close attention to their portion sizes.  No wonder I gained 40-50 lbs!!  I thought that I would be starving when I started making my portions much smaller, but I have been fine.  I am actually enjoying my 6 small meals.  I am loving my Shakeology and have noticed that my cravings for the crazy junk that I love has started to go away.  I haven't gotten on the scale since last Monday, so I'm not sure of the progress.  I keep trying to remind myself that it is not all about the scale, but a lifestyle change.  My girls are watching me!  In fact, this morning they were off to the side doing Combat with me.  Lyla was even cheering me on, "You're doing a great job mommy!"  :)
I know that I've been posting a lot of pictures.  In fact, at first I was a little self-conscious and even insecure about it.  Would people laugh at me and make fun of me to my face or behind my back?  Then, I had to remind myself...it's not about them.  This is my journey.  I figured that if others get sick of it, they can block or unfollow me.  :)  Posting the pictures have held me accountable and I hope have encouraged others.  You can start from anywhere you are in your life right now.  I can't do every exercise, but I keep pushing through.  I know that my girls are watching me.  I know that some of my students see those pictures on Instagram.  I also know that I'm gonna see those pictures a year from now on my TimeHop app.  Ha!!  I want to inspire and encourage others.

I hope that I am encouraging others through this journey.  I have found that in my life, having accountability and people to share my journey with have helped me so much.  What keeps you going?  BTW...I took the plunge today and signed up to be a Beach Body Coach.  I am excited about the next stage of this journey!  Feel free to ask me any questions and I hope that you continue to join me on this journey!  Have a great next week!  I'm gonna go and enjoy the rest of the weekend with these cuties!

Ann

2015-The Year of Change

I can't believe how time has flown.  So much has happened in the 4 years since the girls and I have been together.  This past year I downloaded the app "TimeHop".  It's been fun to be reminded of my first few days with the girls and to see just how far that we've come.  There have been highs and lows, new friendships, ended friendships, and much growth.  Unfortunately, some of that growth has been on me.  Ha!  It cannot be a coincidence that over the past year, I've had several friends on FB & Instagram that have decided to make lifestyle changes and are doing an amazing job with it!  This year, things have got to change.  I need to live and model a healthy lifestyle for my girls.  I am the only parent that they have.  I also know myself and know that I need accountability. My friend Claire has become a Beach Body Coach.  I've decided to join her next accountability group.  The main reason I chose this was because Beach Body offers one of the workout programs that I used to do all of the time at the gym when I lived in Florida (Body Combat).  

I started it this past week.  I am LOVING it so far.  I missed my Les Mills workouts so much.  The girls have been watching me exercise and they love it!  Lyla told me yesterday, "You did a great job exercising mommy!"  

I had Mia take before pictures of me.  Maybe someday I'll post those.  Not today though...they were disgusting!!!  :)  This first program last 60 days.  Hopefully over the next 2 months, you'll see a change.  I'm seeing that you really don't need a gym membership to be fit.  As a single mom, I have to make my health a priority for my children and for me! I'll keep you posted on my new journey of change.   
Happy New Year from our family to yours!