Archive for February, 2010

Weighing in: How to be happy when the scale barely moves

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Hey, everyone out there in kettlebell world!

I don’t feel very qualified to talk about staying happy, but I think that this is probably the most important topic I will every post on this blog.

How many of you who are working out, watching what we eat, and reading everything possible on health and nutrition still pause momentarily before stepping on the scale? I find that the moments leading up to my weekly weigh in may be the most anxiety-provoking in my week.

Maybe I’m taking my weigh in a little too seriously. Or maybe, just maybe, I experience complete fear around the thought of not reaching my goal and then reporting it on the world wide web… and far worse… to my accountability partner.

I found that there are two types of people in this world:  those that are motivated by fear, and those who are immobilized by fear. Where do you stand?

Unfortunately, I belong in the latter group. When I am afraid of losing something, especially something I’ve been dedicated to and personally invested in, I just want to pull my head back in my turtle shell.  With that being said, here’s today’s weigh in:

While I am closer to my 2/28 goal, I already know that I’m not going to make it. So, how do I keep my head above water and keep pushing forward?

Through action and interaction.

Here’s what I’ve learned from this process:  I need you! I need you to keep me accountable, because sometimes, I don’t want to do it.

In all of my adult life, I feel like I’ve been seeking this –  someone to rely upon when I just want to throw the sweaty towel in.

I’ve gone down many roads (I could write a blog on my MLM experiences alone!) seeking out partnership. I think having someone (or ones) as my partner(s) is truly the key to my personal happiness.

Then, as it states, right there in the beginning of the word partnership, I need to do MY part:

I have to practice forgiveness, especially of myself. I can start without saying “I have to” and move into “I choose to.”

I can take responsibility for my actions. For example, I chose to eat those peanut butter cookies, nobody put them in my stomach!

I can prepare.  Here’s where my Personal Trainer at FitPro Hawaii comes in. He helps me develop short and longer term goals, as a road map of my journey.

And I can celebrate my successes, large and small. Just to keep myself going, I’m going to take a look at my before and afters. Here are some clips from videos past:

May 29, 2009.

May 29, 2009.

Feb 21, 2010

Feb 21, 2010

February

Feb 21, 2010

Light shines on me

So, to wrap this up– in the future, will I stay happy when the weight on the scale is barely changing and my clothes sizes are not getting any smaller? With your support, yes I can! Mahalo!

Kettlebell World – talk to me!

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

It’s been a while since I’ve invited you to ask me questions. I’m going on a year of kettlebell practice and I still consider myself a newbie.  I also concurrently began blogging here, tweeting, and posting videos on youtube.

I’m happy to report that I’ve managed to keep off over 25 pounds of the weight that I lost since I started this enterprise.

I’d like to put together a new post answering your questions from this blog, facebook, twitter and youtube. What do you want to know? Any burning questions about exercise, health, diet, nutrition, working out in general, and kettlebells? If I don’t know the answer, maybe one of you will!

You can reply below or send your questions to me at info@kettletell.com. If you want to be identified, I’ll give you a shout out in the next video!

Lots of aloha,

Angela C.

Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day!

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Oh, for the love of kettlebells!

I hope that — for those of you who celebrate Valentine’s Day– February 14th was a day to cherish your loved ones; honor yourself; and spend time giving and receiving from the heart.

For me, Valentine’s Day in Hawaii also marked Lunar New Year! My favorite part of celebrating what is termed “Chinese New Year” in Hawaii is the Lion Dance.

Eating lots of treats used to be on the list, but now, I’m looking for more active ways to celebrate all holidays with my friends and family.

Which brings me to the next part of this blog- the “weigh in.” Really, my measurements have not been much different from week to week, so I’ve been eyeing the scale a lot more closely.

What I have noticed is that I’m finally at the point where I will know my weight based on how my clothes fit. Now that’s bordering on obsession. (My trainer would be so happy!)

There’s no significant difference in my weight and measurements from 2 weeks ago. (My trainer would be not so happy…)

At this rate, I’m not going to make it to 179. But remember my mottos:

Don’t Give Up!
and
It’s better to do a little bit of somethin’ than a whoooooole lot of nothin’!

So, “Happy Hearts Day!” Enjoy this season of aloha.

Please send me a comment below… your encouragement makes a huge difference in my attitude, behaviors and motivation!

Water Weight?

Monday, February 1st, 2010

It’s stats Sunday time.

I just finished 9 days of an Isagenix cleanse, so I was feeling pretty good. I had kettlebell practice with my trainer and my workout partner, and I’d been walking uphill with my 30-pound kid packed on my back, so I went into my office (aka the bathroom) to take my measurements and weigh in.

I’m a little disappointed:

I guess I shouldn’t be that disappointed; I did lose nearly 10 pounds! What is most exciting for me is that I lost an INCH on my hips! Woo hoo! I’ve had no progress in that area in weeks.

This leads me to believe that I did lose a significant amount of water during the cleanse, maybe 2 pounds. I’m not going to complain.

Next goal:  hit 179.

How about you?