What happened to 2017???

If you're like me, you are probably thinking the same thing..... What happened to 2017. I swear it was January yesterday. I had so many hopes and goals for 2017 but I quickly learned(now that it's December), that this year would go haywire........

In January I was 22 pounds from my dream goal weight when I made the transition from a fulltime night shift dispatcher to a fulltime dayshift dispatcher. I then realized I needed something else in life as I had spent the last 14 years in the Fire/EMS field and it was time for a change. So I made my career change in March, left the Sheriff's office where I had called home for almost 4 years and set out on a new adventure.

With the new job came new friends(and old ones too ;) )..... and new, exciting things..... like being 4 blocks from Starbucks, having an actual lunch break, delivery options, and lets not forget.... CITY DINER!!!!!!! Oh how I miss those breakfast specials. What also came with the new job? Figuring out a new routine.... which turned out to be a struggle for me.

Days turned into weeks which turned into months and the weight slowing kept coming on. The tiredness, stress, and ick came back with it too! When one of my coworkers asked me to start running with her and I did! And realized I loved it. But I also realized just how out of shape I had allowed myself to get. I ran a few races, and we started running on our lunch breaks instead of eating out. But I still didnt watch what I was eating or always told myself tomorrow. Well tomorrow would come and I push it off again.

Hello December......... It's funny how times flies...... it really is..... lol!!! I realized I was almost back to the weight I was 3 years ago and how unhappy and grumpy I was becoming. WOAH!!!! No thank you!!! So I brought back personal development and went back to one of my most favorite books "The Energy Bus!" I've started a new program and set some new goals for myself and I'm ready to take my journey back!

So here is to 2018!!!!!

Picture below, from left to right.... 12/1/14, 4/11/17, 12/30/17

What is this thing called running???

So anyone that has been following me knows I’ve been on a fitness journey since about 2014. Going into 2017, I was determined that this year would be the year that I reached my goal weight as I had come within 22lbs of my goal after completing the Ultimate Reset in January. Then stress, the change of jobs to a new career, and excuses got in my way. Fast forward 6 months….. and realizing I had gained 40lbs will definitely put a damper on your goals.

But, a longtime friend of mine and now coworker convinced another friend and myself sign up for a 5k. I had no clue what I was in for. No practice, no training. But we did it. I had to take many breaks. I struggled. But I knew my friend were there and they motivated me the whole race and we all finished. Then we signed up for another race, and we finished. Then we started running on our lunch breaks at work. And each time I ran I was getting notifications that I had run my longest distance, or fastest, or largest elevation. The next month, I ran my 2nd 5k. And we finished. 

My second month in to running was my biggest and largest race. My very first 8k. I don't know if I was more excited or nervous that day, but I know I ran my heart. I remember stopping to grab water around mile 2, then stopping and chatting with an elderly gentleman that was running by me, and stopping for water around mile 4, but other than that, I ran, until I crossed the finish line. A week ago I ran my 4^th official race, with my “tribe”. We have also already signed up for 2 races for 2018 and have about 12 planned. And my goal is 2 run at least 2 half marathons.

Here it is December…. I’m working out regularly(again), running at least once a week, and portion controlling what I eat. And I have a group of friends on similar journeys and we can help keep each other accountable! I'm so excited about whats to come for 2018 and continually working towards my goals!!!! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from my family to yours!!!! :) 

~Tabi

My Ultimate Reset Experience

For the last 3 years, working out and working on my health has been a top priority for me. However, the last year I have battled stomach issues that I myself could not figure out. The doctor was sure I had GERD and wanted me to take a prescription for it. I tried it, but wasn't a fan of the side effects. I needed to work on my nutrition and see if I could figure it out. So, I decided to try the Ultimate Reset.

This was by far the most DIFFICULT but rewarding experience I have been through since starting my journey. I cut out coffee, meat, grains, and legumes over the course of a 3 week period. I also wasn't allowed to do an strenuous workouts, it was limited to walking and yoga. 

The first week went well, the first 2 days i had a horrible migraine and ended up taking my medications for those. I was sleeping better and had more energy. The normal everyday bloat was leaving. Week 2 was better, until the end. I ended up having a couple BBQ chicken nachos and had the worst stomach pain. I started struggling with cravings coming back, wanting coffee, wanting to workout and wanting to quit. I added a few black decaf coffees into my plan to help. Then week 3 hit. This week, you have all fruits and veggies and 1/2 scoop of shakeology. I did well for the first 4 days of this week. 

The last 3 days of the reset for me were not what I wanted them to be. I ended up having a couple dizzy spells and wasn't feeling myself, so on day 5 of week 3, I had a massive burger. It immediately upset my stomach and i had almost immediate brain fog and the urge to sleep. Then came day 6 of week 3, I was determined to make the previous day better. But I didn't. I had a rough day at work, I was stressing, and I wasn't were I wanted to be on the reset. So, i indulged again, with a burger. :( The very last day, I wanted nothing on my meal plan, but i stuck it out for breakfast and lunch, skipped my afternoon snack and then had soup and a grilled cheese for dinner. 

So needless to say, I was a wreck. I was grumpy, I was upset, and I was ready for it to be over with. But,

what I GAINED from this reset: more energy, better sleep, no more stomach issues, eczema started clearing up, better skin, more focus, a better understanding of food and my body. 

I am so very appreciative that I tried the reset. It may not have been perfect, but I am happy with the outcome. And I will definitely try it again. The only thing ill change is the timing. I'd like to try it during the spring or summer, when fruits and veggies in my area are readily available.  

My results: I lost 9.4 lbs and 6.5 inches. 

~Tabi