A sustainable lifestyle change!

I cannot tell you how many diets I have tried in my many years of struggling with self image and my weight. If you check out my story here on the blog you will see that I have fluctuated up and down with weight my entire life. I am just not one of those naturally thin people. Here are just a few things I’ve tried:

Weight watchers
South beach diet
Keto 
Low carb
The bro diet (think tilapia and broccoli A LOT)
Calorie counting
1200 calories only
Starving myself basically
Cutting out all sugar and foods deemed “bad”
Diet pills to suppress my appetite
The GM diet or military diet

Those are just SOME of the diets I can think of right now. I am sure there were more. I would lose and then I would get off and gain. I never stuck with anything too long. It was all a struggle. I would cheat and binge occasionally because everything felt restrictive. To me, that’s the problem with anything that restricts a certain food or deems foods as good or bad. You ultimately end up wanting what you can't have MORE than you might normally because you have told yourself you can’t have it. 

That was the truth for me. I couldn’t do it anymore. I was tired of failing. I was tired of beating myself up. I HAD to find something different. That’s when I found Ledbetter and macros. It was the ONLY thing that I have continuously gone back to, time and time again. It is truly a lifestyle. It doesn’t restrict ANYTHING. Cookies- fine. Cake- ok. Donuts-sure. MODERATION is the key. BALANCE is the lifestyle. I don’t know about you but I don’t want any eating plan that doesn’t involve those things or some of my favorite foods. Macros doesn’t tell you to go eat ALL these things all day, but it allows them. It allows you to find balance with proteins, fats and carbs. You do have to weigh and track what you eat and make a plan, but overall it allows you freedom. Freedom to decide to have a donut but know you will have to have a protein rich meal later to meet your daily goal. When I was in the absolute BEST shape of my life I would have a day when I would eat egg whites and grilled chicken, maybe a protein shake, make a hamburger for dinner, some popcorn or ice cream.... it was all balanced. I never felt guilty or deprived. The weight came off. It stayed off. One thing I learned is you have to pick something you can stick with, something that will work long term. Short term solutions give you just that- short term success. 

How do you do it? I have calculated my own macros before and I'd be happy to help. I also know several amazing coaches that can do it and have the accountability piece built in so you check in with them weekly. You may have tried everything else- why not try this? I will be heading back to the macros arena as soon as I have baby Lydia is April and get adjusted. I can't wait. This is my last baby and there is no better time to get in the best shape of my life. I know with macros and exercise I can do it. Are you ready? 
Feel free to message me or email me if you'd like some help with how to get started!
msenseney05@aol.com 

First successful weekend!

Some people may not call the weekend I had a success, but I AM! I did not gain any weight at all. I didn't lose any either, but I didn't GAIN any! That is what I keep repeating in my mind! It is a start. I even enjoyed myself a little and had a few drinks and some crawfish and my favorite- Mexican food. I just made better choices with my portions, did not overdue it all, and worked out hard Saturday. I jogged for 3 miles. I wanted to stop after 4 laps, which is about 2.4 miles, but I decided to push myself. I can do this and I will. It is all about willpower and wanting to reach your goals. I am still at 165.. which is 10 lbs down from where I was when I started this journey. I have at least 10 more to go. Then I will think about it and see if I want to lose more. Let the week begin. I can't wait to jog this afternoon. :)

Weight loss is hard and the weekend scares me!

It is true! Weight loss is really hard! It sucks sometimes! It is not fun and sometimes you win (lose) and sometimes you lose (gain). I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to cuss the scale and just cry during a workout because it's not fair that I have to work so hard! On top of that, the weekend scares me. It scares me A LOT! I have battled the "eat healthy and do good all week, then gain it all back on the weekend and repeat." I am so sick of it. SICK SICK SICK of it. I think it's just the inevitable that I am going to behave on the weekend. Is it worth it? Heck yes! I can do it. WILLPOWER, people, WILLPOWER! :)

There is me, getting ready for my 25 minute jog today. I am in LOVE with jogging and I think I could go longer and I will. My shirt is an amazing running shirt from "Ruffles With Love". You can find them on ETSY. Super cute and they even have a bow on the back. Stylish running gear. I have been thinking lately about getting some compression sleeves for my legs, but still researching those. I am one happy runner! :)

Hello 10 lb weight loss!

I AM SO EXCITED THIS MORNING! My hard work is finally paying off! :) I have lost 10 lbs since my first weigh in at New Year's! It is a great accomplishment and I think running has helped me get there, for sure! I am not done though. I want to lose 10 more lbs for sure, then I will reassess and decide if I want to lose more than that. Now, comes the hard part...maintaining those 10 lbs. I always go back and forth and I am sure the battle is not over, but for today I am going to bask in the glory of a 10 lb loss and enjoy my off day from working out! (I still have to watch what I eat, as always, and am not going to go crazy!

It's true! I love running! And a little about me!

I never in my LIFE thought I would EVER be able to say this, but I LOVE running! I have ran 4 times this week.. I am addicted... I have to complete 20 minute runs this weekend (today is my off day, my only off day). I am excited and nervous for 20 minute runs. I know that I CAN do it and I know the feeling afterwards will be AMAZING, it's just getting there. I have determination and I will work hard. I can promise I will write a blog talking about how great I am... lol... for a girl who used to not be able to run to the stop sign and back, I am proud that I ran 8 minute runs this weekend and I will be even more proud when that little voice comes on and tells me my 20 minutes is up! :)

So, here is a little about me (maybe one day I will have followers on my blog that will care! lol)

Age: 28

Birthday: May 20

Concert last attended: Gary Allan (he is hot!)

Dog: No, don't have one.. one day I want a little inside dog though!

Eggs: Eat them a lot on low carb diet, scrambled please!

Flown on a plane?: Yep, quite a few times!

Giver or taker: I love to give to people and I rock at gift giving!

Height: 5'7"

Ice Cream: chocolate chip cookie dog PLEASE! (haven't had this in forever!)

Jewelry: I never take off my rings, I have quite a jewelry colelction (a girl can never have enough, right?) ;)

Kids: No, not yet... one day when I met the man I want to share my life with!

Laid back: I like to think I am, although I do like to plan things and sometmes my OCD gets the best of me. lol

Movie: I think my fav movie as of now is Dear John- so romantic and no matter how many times I watch it, I cry!

Night or Day?: I would have to say night... I am not a morning person!

Only child?: No, I have a little BIG brother (he is taller than me!)

Pet Peeve: dirty people! I can't stand someone who doesn't keep themselves or their house clean!

Quiet?: At times, I can be quiet.. but at times I definitely speak my mind!

Reality TV?: Gotta have my Jersey Shore and my weekly fist pumpin! lol

Season: My fav is definitely summer.. I am a teacher so I am off and I LOVE THE BEACH!

Time you wake up: 6:00 a.m. every day of the week.. weekends, you never know!

Underwear: ummmm yea and none of your business lol

Vacation: Last one was New Orleans... next one I want somewhere tropical!

Work: Teacher

X-ray: had one a LONG time ago when I broke my wrist.

Yesterday: I worked, ran, worked out... typical week day for me.

Zodiac: Taurus and I am definitely one!

Here's to a GREAT weekend and me kicking butt on those runs! :)

Here goes nothing!

My first entry! I have used blogging for so many things in life and it amazes me that I never thought to use it to share my weight loss journey. I think part of me has always been scared to actually write it down, in fear that I would actually be accountable. I am tired of struggling with my weight. It hasn't always been a problem for me. Let me start at the beginning! When I was a child, I was always a little on the chubby side. I admit it, my family LOVES to eat! They love to DRINK too, on the right occasion. It's just a part of who they are. I truly love my family and am very blessed. They are wonderful people, but some of the habits I grew up with are not the best and have probably landed me where I am today. When I went to high school everything changed. I lost quite a bit of weight. I was really happy with the size I was. I was anywhere from a 2-6 in my high school years and never imagined I would have to workout or worry about my weight. Well, boy was I WRONG! That all changed the moment that I graduated and entered college. Then, I moved out and lived on my own. Everyone knows what that translates to= drinking, eating out, fast food, junk, junk, junk, gain, gain, gain. Not everyone is that way. Some people are just naturally skinny and I usually cuss under my breath at these people. LOL! Well, it happened to me. I was devastated. To add to that, I worked in the hotel business, so time was limited and I ate to get a break. I also went out and drank a lot to escape the crazy boring life of studying and working and studying and working. I was FAT. I don't think I realized, but when I look back at pictures I cannot believe I let myself go. A couple years ago I finally realized that I did not like what I see in the mirror, so I took charge. Since then, it has been an up and down journey. I gain and I lose... I gain, I lose. I think I can still "cheat" and drink what I want. I never stick with a running program. I just flat out have failed myself. It is time to take charge!!!! So, today is day 1... more to come! Pictures below to begin:

Me in high school.. I probably weighed between 130-140 at this time. (secretly I thought I was a little chunky! What was I EVER thinking?) 2000

Here I was after college in 2006 on a trip with friends. I didn't think it was THAT bad. Those were a size 13 pants. YUCK! I was probably 190ish at this time.

Since then I have gone up and down and up and down! Here was my skinniest in a while- this was in 2010, I weighed about 158 and work a size 29 from Buckle easily!

Not the best pic I know, but I think you can definitely tell in my face! I was thin and happy :)

Below is the most recent pic of me over Christmas. I was easily back to 175. My fav jeans no longer fit. I have currently lost about 7 pounds and weighed in this morning at 167. I am hopeful to get to 150!!!