My 33rd Birthday is June 19th so this year I've decided that my gift to myself is to lose more weight. I've come a long way in my weight loss journey and I wanted to take it to the next level by pushing myself further than before. So my birthday challenge was birthed! From May 19th to June 18th my goal is to lose 19lbs. To help my dream come to fruition, I will: :
 - Refrain from eating all carbs (bread, pasta, etc)
 - Refrain from eating anything containing sugar (occasionally something with less than 2g of sugar like natural peanut butter)
- I will work out 6 days a week (twice on monday, wednesday, friday & to including C25K running training and Zumba)

I'm excited about my challenge and I'm praying that I can reach my goal. I posted my challenge on Facebook and My Pastor even called me to join in with me! I have a fantastic support system in my family and friends through this journey. With blood, sweat, and many tears I'm making my dreams a reality......One day at a time!

The Bible says that you too have an audience cheering you on. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (NLT).

Nothing you do is private. You always have an audience. Heaven is watching. But, more importantly, you have a cheering section. The Bible says that everyone in Heaven is cheering you on. I just want to thank everyone in advance for all the support.....I'm so thankful for how far I've come.

Foxxy

Last year I joined Weight Watchers with a good friend. We were so excited about our weight loss journey that we got an idea to create a way to track pounds lost. We were determined to work hard and see those pounds come off!

Mimicking a picture found on Pinterest, we decided to create decorated vases to document our weight loss journey. My friend and I went to Michael's craft store to get supplies to created our version. Oh what a night of fun it was to create something to motivate yourself - Encourage yourself right! This journey is special because of all the hard work and determination needed to make it, but it's also full of memories that we will never forget.

We determined our total weight loss goal and used that number of marbles to start with. Each week at weigh in we would move the number of marbles to document our lost. Although I'm no longer on the Weight Watchers program, I'm still going hard with my nutrition and As of today I've moved 37 marbles!!!!! Praise the Lord!

If you need some motivation, make your own set of vases and start MOVING THOSE MARBLES!

I'm not where I want to be, but I thank God for how far I've come,
Foxxy

I've quit so many times before BUT not this time! I've got this! My goal is near and with God pushing me, I'm going to make it! 

I encourage you to stay focused on your fitness goals! Tell your family and friends so they can help push you along. It's always a blessing to have someone in your corner :) 

Foxxy  

Hey Friends! A full post is on the way but I figured I could at least show you my progress in pictures...ENJOY! If you're on a fitness journey post your achievements in the comments. I would love to support you too!

I LOVE watching The Biggest Loser show. At the beginning of each season I pick one of the contestants and try to follow them in their journey. Although I didn't catch all the episodes this season, I love to see the before and after photos at the end. The Winner Ms. Danni lost a whopping 121 on the show, but my inspiration is Alex. I'm admired by Alex's transformation because it wasn't easy for her. She struggled for high weight loss numbers each week, just like I do. Her perseverance toward her goal helped and she managed to lose 53 pounds in 9 weeks. Her body transformation pics is like I'm looking at before and after pictures of MYSELF! Perfect example of what I'm striving for my body to look like. Here's Alex infomation:

Alex Reid, 24
Before: Despite her struggle to hit high weight loss numbers, Alex managed to lose 53 pounds during nine weeks on the ranch.
After: By the finale weigh-in, Alex lost 84 pounds, and 35 percent of her body weight, and gained the self-confidence she had lacked during her early weeks as a Season 14 contestant.

See all the contestant transformation HERE

Transforming Foxxy still in progress :)

After wearing my running shoes for almost a month, I was still having slight foot discomfort. When I purchased my shoes I was given a 30 day return policy; They assured me that no matter what we would find the right shoe for me! After my run last saturday I decided to go back to the store, Jacksonville Running Company, to explain my pain and find a corrective shoe.

The issue I noticed when running was my forefoot didn't feel like it was getting the needed support. After each run my outer foot (baby toe area) was really sore. The store associate pulled another shoe for me with added cushion and and extended forefoot base that provides extra cushion for a wider foot. The store associate brought out the Brooks Glycerin 10 ($140). When I put the shoe on my foot felt enveloped in comfort. Although this shoe is a bit heavier than my first pair (Dyad 7), I'll get use to that. Comfort is most important to me. Brooks describes the Glycerin 10:

I've worn the shoes as I worked out all week, but today is the big test. I'll be going for a 30 minute jog and that will really determine if "THIS IS IT".......The shoe for Foxxy!

Wish me luck,
Foxxy

I DID IT! YAY ME! Can you tell I'm excited......I successfully completed my first day of personal training. Transforming "Foxxy" is in full effect and there's no turning back. My friend Shanae and I met with Dr. Fitness of Fitness Pursuits for a one hour training session.

I kinda knew what to expect having attended a boot camp at Fitness Pursuits.......BUT Dr. Fitness did not disappoint! The warm up alone was a five minute walk on the treadmill at 2.0mph and 15 INCLINE.....WHERE THEY DO THAT AT???? We had to get our heart rate up to 150. My heart rate climbed there quite fast, but my friend had to run backwards on the treadmill to get her heart rate - Ms. Jillian Michaels Jr LOLOLOLO!!!!!

From the stretches to our complete leg workout, I kept asking myself what did I get myself into! It was great having my friend as a partner because when I got tired I would just look at her (going fast as ever) and KEEP PUSHING! Dr. Fitness said Mondays are "Maniac Mondays" and he sure treated my legs as if they were maniacs. Although I was pushing past my limits, I hung in there and he directed and guided us.......With A SMILE!

I'm really looking forward to what he has in store tonight. I've committed to meeting with him for 4 days each week. I'm sure I'm going to have a love/hate relationship with him by the end of the 3 months.

Transforming "Foxxy" in FULL EFFECT,
Foxxy

Today is the day! I'm so excited and SCARED at the same time. It's my first official day meeting with my new personal training team at Fitness Pursuits in Jacksonville. The Owner, Dr. Fitness, emailed me a meal plan to follow for the next three months. I went grocery shopping last night to purchase most of the items on the list (pictured) that included, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and hummus just to name a few. For breakfast I'm suppose to eat brown rice......I'm sure your giving the side eye just like I did LOL! I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my progress.

Wish me luck,
Foxxy

This crazy body of mine tends to be injury prone......EVERYTIME I start a workout regimen I hurt myself in some form or fashion! From a sprained foot, heel spurs, and even a strained rotator cuff.......It's always something! Well in 2013 I want to do better (AND last longer) in my fitness journey so I'm looking to professionals for help. I've been running for the past 8 weeks using the Couch 2 5K program, but I don't want to hurt myself. So I registered for a Good Form Running Clinic to assist me in running faster, easier & injury Free! This clinic is held by a Jacksonville Florida store called: 1st Place Sports. I attended the clinic this week with one of my girlfriends.

At 1st Place Sports, The Good Form Running Clinic is offered on Wednesday nights at your selected location at 6:00 PM. The clinic is free, but is limited to twenty runners per class. They ensure that the class will show you the proper techniques, which could make you a faster runner, make your running easier, and help you avoid common running injuries. I really didn't know what to expect when I got to the clinic. The clinic was headed by the store's manager who was once a professional runner. The program stress the "4 Simple Steps to Good Form": Posture, Mid-Foot, Cadence, and Lean (see the chart below). After going through all 4 steps, he offered to run with each of us individually. As he ran with me he watched my movements and kept a count of my cadence. He told me that my cadence was good but my form was all wrong, I was losing momentum as I ran because I was striking the ground with the heel.  We then practiced running with my arms at 90 degrees and focused on running mid-foot.

I left the clinic inspired to use the new information and to start week 8 C25K with a bang. I headed straight to the gym where I used the new info I gained and I ran my best time EVER!!! During the entire C25K training this is the first time I kept the same speed (3.5), paced myself and my stride stayed on point the entire run! I never thought I would be able to run 28 minutes straight......I left the gym on CLOUD 9! Day 2 run was a great repeat of Day 1 results. For Day 3 of wk 8 I'm taking my run to the downtown bridges of Jacksonville......Go Foxxy!

Learning more about the art of running and getting closer to my goal of "Being a runner" feels awesome! Wish me luck on this wonderful journey to "Transforming Foxxy". For more information on Good Form Running, check out www.goodformrunning.com.

Runners Beware,
Foxxy

So C25K is all that.....If I say so myself! The Couch to 5K journey of learning how to run a full 30 mins straight has been so much fun. I'm currently in week 8, after doing week 7 for two weeks instead of one. Week 7 is running for 25 mins straight and I just couldn't make. After my first week I made it 22 mins with 3 mins of walking. I had to be honest with myself and re-do week 7.

I want to be successful at the program and all the information that I read said it's okay to do a week over.......listen to your body.........be honest with yourself........move forward when you are ready. Well after last friday I think I'm ready to move forward! I ran my BEST time(pictured) I was able to do a 5 mins warmup, jog/run 24 out of 25 mins straight, and I finished my workout with 15 mins of walking at 3.4mph!!! Although I didn't make it the full 25 mins, I came close and I'm confident that I can make up the one minute during week 8.

This might not be a best for you, but it's surely a BEST FOR ME! Definitely not where I want to be, but I'm getting there. I'm a runner - something I NEVER thought I would be. 2 more weeks to go! I'm excited to see my final results of week 9.........Until then friends!

Foxxy