Friday, March 29, 2013

Getting the hang of it...

Oh boy what a weekend/week.  I have had so many temptations, so many chances for cheating, so many delicious looking foods to have to pass up and so many times I had to make sure I was very prepared.  Guess what?  I did it!  I made sure to make a meal to take with me to Friday's nights party for my in-laws 40th anniversary and bonus, it was YUM!

(this was my little 'baby' at the party wearing a mustache in honor of his Grandpa)

I made sure to have my meals decided for Saturday because it is always super busy.

I made sure to take my salad/veggies/shake to lunch on Sunday because I knew what they were serving wouldn't fit with my Ideal Protein Guidelines.  You know what happened?  Everyone wanted my yummy looking salad!



I made sure to take a cauliflower pizza crust and all my own toppings measured out to Tuesday's night pizza party so that I wouldn't be tempted by my most tempting temptation :)....pizza.  You know what happened?  Everyone wanted a taste of my cauliflower pizza crust and liked it so much they want to start making it too!

I feel like I have been super prepared to succeed and I cannot wait to see the scale keep moving!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Weigh-In, Week 2...

Does anyone else get nervous when they get on the scale at their center?  Even though you have probably weighed yourself already at home and know the results?  Oh, just me?  Gotta figure out how to not get so nervous.

Starting weight ***176 lbs
Week 1 Weigh-In *** 171 lbs
Week 2 WI ** 167 lbs!!
Yahoo, another 4 pounds released forever.  9 pounds total in almost 3 weeks. I had to miss my weigh in right at 2 weeks because my coach was out of town so I had to wait a few extra days.  Either way, I am super excited to be watching the scale go down.  I also lost another 6 inches which equals more than 12 inches lost as well!

Loving the Ideal Protein diet so far!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Just keep swimming...

Changing our goals to fit our needs can be a very difficult thing to accomplish, especially when you mentally get yourself into a goal whole heartedly.  I know I will still be able to obtain my goal of a half marathon, sprint triathlon and personal best 5K this year, but I want to be training so badly.  I just have to tell myself that the time will pass and as I am dropping weight, those goals will become easier. 

I really love what IP is doing for my body, but I am having a difficult time giving up the exercise thing while my body figures it out.  I hope to be back into a little light exercise next week, once my body adjusts to what I am doing to it. 

Right now, I know this is what my body needs and things will work out.  It is only March and I have never started training for something before May anyway, so I will just hang on for the ride and hope for the best at the end of this journey!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Before pictures...




These aren't pretty, but I am working on it :).  These pictures are taken in my goal top/shorts for my upcoming triathlon in July.  I want to look really good in these when the time comes and be able to crush my goal of finishing my first sprint triathlon.  Gotta have a goal to keep me motivated to stay totally ON-PLAN!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Weigh-In, week 1...

I could not be more excited.  I have worked really hard for a really long time and seen nothing change on the scale.  I know they say to not let the scale define you, and I don't, but I do want it to reflect my efforts when I KNOW I am not at a healthy weight.  So without further a do...

Starting weight ***176 lbs
Week 1 Weigh-In *** 171 lbs


YAHOO!  I seriously teared up when I saw the number.  I have worked hard for that 5 pounds and I am so happy to release them to never be found again!  Hoping next week puts me back into the 160s!!

The 1st week...

Whew what a week.  I have had every doubt in the book come up, every emotion possible in having to figure out what I REALLY want and where my life is going.  It has been very mentally challenging to change directions once I had set my mind on something like completing my half marathon but it wasn't worth it to me to put my body in jeopardy by gaining weight while I train for something like that...let alone run it at my heaviest weight especially when running isn't easy for me anyway.

The first several days I actually really didn't have any hard times with it.  I started on Wednesday March 6th and did great the 1st few days.  Friday I was even tempted with pizza and I resisted.  Saturday I was tempted with mint brownies and white chocolate popcorn and I resisted!  I had made a commitment to my health and I was sticking with it.

It seems that it has been harder the last few days to resist but I am guess it is because my husband has been out of town since Sunday and I usually eat worse when he isn't here because I am lonely/bored/stressed or whatever.  It is also super difficult to cook dinner when there are 4 hungry kids running around wanting it right then, but I have been perfectly compliant!  I cannot to see my first Weigh-In tomorrow.  I sure hope to see some sort of loss on the scale.  I don't notice much right now, but time will tell.

As far as the way my body feels, it is tired, seriously tired. I go to bed early, I sneak in a nap and still don't want to get out of bed in the morning.  I have heard that gets better, so hopefully that is true.

This has been a very emotional week and opening my eyes to all the triggers that make me want to eat and dealing with them differently than I always have, but I am excited for what this journey will help me achieve!!


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

My why's of loosing weight...

I think it is important for me to figure out the reasons WHY I want to release this weight.  If I have some really good WHYs, I can come back to them when times are hard. So here is my list of WHY I want to release this extra 35 pounds once and for all!

***I want to keep up with my husband in the fitness department...running 1/2 marathons, doing sprint triathlons and backpacking in the mountains.

***I want to not have my thighs rub together when I walk.

***I want to have more energy to play ball with my kids, to run around when they want to, to ride our bikes together.

***I want to be an example to my children. Not only in eating nutritiously but knowing that we can accomplish hard things if we put our minds to it.

***I want to motivate those around me to not settle for the 'mommy' body that we so often have after having children and spending all of our energies on them and not us.

***I want to be as confident in my body as I pretend to be.

***I want to feel great in my clothes. To not look in the mirror and only see the things I don't like, but to take pride in what I have worked for.

***I want to feel strong, have muscles you can see and be able to do endurance sports easier.

***I want to feel confident and look hot naked ;).

***I want to feel good about my success and know that I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Plan M...



NEVER GIVE UP!

 I feel like my plans change with the setting and rising of the sun.  It is so frustrating and I am just trying to wrap my head around all of this.  Two Saturday's ago I stepped on the scale after having been off of it for a month.  I was hoping that my exercise commitment, my 'good' eating choices would provide a loss on the scale.  To my surprise, I found a GAIN.  I instantly started crying.  What in the heck am I doing wrong?  I logged more than 1000 exercise minutes in February the shortest month of the year and ate really well.  I had a very emotional weekend and could not figure out what to do.  That same day, I broke down to a friend and she told me about a program her friend had done after expressing the same frustrations and emotions I had just expressed to her.  She told me she would find out what it was all about and let me know.

A few days later, I found out about Ideal Protein.  I set up an appointment to talk to a coach and nutritionist to help me on my way to a better ME.  I signed up on the spot.  Everything they said made so much sense to me and resonated within my soul.  I have so many mixed emotions going into a 'diet' like this that requires me to eat their products, requires me to eat very few carbs, very few calories and tons of protein but I feel like this is an answer to my prayers.  I need this!  I need to have some successes and I feel like I can get it from this plan.

I have tried for 5 years to loose weight and even when I am completely amazing at both eating well and exercising I still cannot get my weight to budge...it just goes up.  I found out I am borderline diabetic and the insulin in my body is reaking havoc on my weight loss. It will NOT let my body release the fat because it thinks it needs to to survive the onslaught of insulin.  Ideal Protein helps with that.  

I am on day 7 and it has NOT been easy.  It has been a very, very emotional journey for me so far because I have had to shift my gears mentally so much.  I had started my exercise plan with vigor to complete my half marathon in April, to loose weight and to look and feel amazing.  Not much of that was happening, so my gears have to shift for my life to be what I need/want it to be.  

Here is to plan M working!!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Dear Body...



Pinned Image

 Last week I posted about what makes me Beautiful, besides my body. It was National Eating Disorder Awareness week and throughout blog land, there were plenty of posts being written that I loved and really connected to.  I really LOVED this one from Love, Life, Surf.  It inspired me to write a letter to my body too.  I think it is important to remember what our bodies do for us and not just focus on what it isn't doing or what we don't like.

So here is my letter...

Dear Body,

Thank you for being mine for the past 29 years.  We have had our ups and our downs, our hardships, our pleasures but we have always stayed together and I am grateful for that.

I am sorry for not acknowledging your needs for so many years. I am sorry that I took time for everyone else but you. I am sorry that it has taken me this many years of neglecting you to realize just how much you need to be feed, spiritually, mentally and physically.  I realize now just how important you are for me to be able to accomplish my dreams.

Thank you for sticking with me.  Thank you for sending the signals that helped me find out what was wrong.  Thank you for being strong enough to bounce back to good health.  Thank you for carrying and creating 4 beautiful children who bring so much joy to my life.  Thank you for taking care of me even when I didn't take care of you.  

I will be forever thankful to you, my body, for the wonderful things you have helped me accomplish in this life.  I am learning to love and embrace your flaws and celebrate the wonderful things you do have! Thank you from the bottom of your heart!

Love, Me


What do you love about yourself?  What do you wish you could tell your body?

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Virtual Race...







 Seems like there are a lot of virtual races lately.  I think they are fun, knowing that lots of other people are out running 'with' you...plus a chance at prizes?  I AM IN!!

 This one has to be done between March 15-March 22nd.  Check out this post at Marathon Mom to check out more details.  Anyone going to join me?

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Another cup of cream...

was added to my bucket to make into butter...AHHH.

My whole goal with eating well and exercising every day and most days twice is to lose some weight.  I know it shouldn't be my lifetime goal, but right now it is.  I know I am not at a healthy weight for my body and I know it needs to change but I cannot get it too.  The harder I try, the worse it gets when it doesn't happen.


Pinned Image


I have been working out and eating healthy for over 6 weeks now. I was expecting to see SOME kind of loss when I decided to weight myself once a month.  Saturday was my day to weigh-in and BOY was I in for a shock.  Not only had I not lost weight, but I had gained a pound.  BAHHH!!  That made me so mad/frustrated/sad/angry...every emotion.  It makes me feel like somekind of failure to not even lose 1 pound...NOTHING.  It makes me think that all my efforts are not worth it. it takes a lot of time and dedication to work out as much as I have, to eat the foods I eat and for what?  To feel better?  Well I only feel a little better, not enough to keep it up.  So, after lots of tears and praying, I have decided to go to a nutritoinist.  Obviously there is something I am not getting, so made an appointment yesterday and will be going later today.  I will keep you posted on how things go!  

I will not give up!
I will not QUIT!!
I will KEEP trying!!!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

20 things I am thankful for...

I am party of a HealthySelf group and love the challenges they give us throughout the week.  Today's challenge is to write down 20 things that we are thankful for!

So starting right out....

#1...I am so thankful for a supportive husband. Even though he is busy, he takes time to make sure I am doing good and have all that I need to succeed!

#2...My oldest son..Nene.  He is a constant help to me every day.  He keeps life exciting by doing any sport he can.  He loves wrestling and it is a pleasure to watch him do something he loves.

#3...My oldest daughter Brownie.  She is learning to read and I love her enthusiasm and determination.

#4...My 2nd daughter Blondie.  She has a feisty little attitude but wants things in life so bad that she will do anything to get them.

#5...My 2nd son Cheese.  He brings a smile to my face just watching him every day.  He is learning so many new things each day and loves to be silly.

#6...Today the sun is shining.  For March 4th in Idaho that is almost a miracle!

#7...I am thankful for my religion.  

#8...I am thankful that my family can be together forever.

#9...I am thankful I can walk, run, swim and do amazing things with my body.

#10...I am thankful for my parents. They have been a rock in my world for ever.

#11...I am thankful for friends.  Everybody needs a few good ones :).

#12...I am thankful for my computer. I work on it daily and it helps provide for my family.

#13...I am thankful for my brown hair and brown eyes.  It makes me unique.

#14...I am thankful for my calendar...it keeps me organized and on time to events.

#15...I am thankful I can sing.  I love being able to bring that gift to people's lives.

#16...I am thankful for my neighbors. They are always there when I need them in a pinch.

#17...I am thankful for a washing machine and dishwasher.  Without them my life would be much harder!

#18...I am thankful I can shower and take baths every day...twice if needed :)!

#19...I am thankful for books.  I love to read and get lost in the pages of a good book.

#20...I am thankful that every day is a new day.  I can start over fresh every day in my goals, ambitions and needs!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Work on ME...







I love this!  Because it is SO true.  I sometimes get caught up on reading all your awesome blogs, seeing facebook status updates or reading magazine articles about how far you are running and how fast, how much weight you are loosing, the awesome veggies you ate today, the amazing jeans you now fit into, the awesome sponsors you have on your blogs and I get sad.  I get into the "maybe I am NOT doing something right.  Maybe I am not good enough.  Maybe I should just give up".  But guess what?  I am ME. I am on my own personal journey to health.  I am doing the best I can with what God has given me and that is all that matters.  I will continue to work on ME.  To become the BEST ME I can be. 

I printed this out and put it on my fridge!  Everyone should remember it!


What do you do to remind yourself to worry about yourself and nobody else?

Saturday, March 2, 2013

My Body Doesn't make me Beautiful...

It is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and with all the blog posts going on around the blogosphere, I was really reflecting on my relationship with food and my body image. This is a hard subject where ever you turn I think.  There is negatives all around and you really have to search for the positives.  They are out there, thank goodness, but you have to want to find them.

My personal experience is kind of messy.  I have a very odd relationship with food and it goes from good to not so good very often.  I am doing much better lately because I know my body needs fuel to get through my workouts and busy schedule.  I have been told recently that I need to eat 1800-2000 calories to lose any weight and that has been a difficult bridge for me to go over.  Our minds are pounded with having to eat around 1200 to lose anything, but I feel like I overeat when I eat a full 2000 calories.  It has been an eye opening experience for me and I will go into it a little more some day.

beautifulbodyNEDA My Body Doesnt Make Me Beautiful 

With all of that, I wanted to play along with Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean. I wanted to list 3 things that make me beautiful!

#1...My Body...but not because of what size it is (or isn't) but because it has given me my greatest blessings, my 4 children.  It has given me my greatest struggles in where I have learned so much about myself and my abilities to overcome poor health and embrace feeling wonderful in my body.  I have struggles, victories and everything in between with my body but overall I couldn't live without it :)!

#2...My Faith...I have faith that things will work out eventually. I know that if I keep doing good things, good things will happen. I know that if I love myself, my children and my husband, Love will be returned to me in many different ways.  I know that if I love and serve others around me, I will receive blessings for many of the things I need in my life.

#3...My Persistence...I have kept 'swimming' so as to make some butter from this cream bucket I have fallen into.  I have never totally given up...some parts of my life have been more difficult than others but I do not have much 'quit' in me.  I will succeed in my desires to be fit and fabulous!  I know that eventually my efforts will be noticed and I will NOT give up!


What are 3 things you love about yourself that doesn't involve weight, looks or your bodies?

Friday, March 1, 2013

Behind the frog...

Who am I?   I am Katie Williams, a child of God who can do amazing and hard things. I am a wife who loves my husband with all my heart. I am a mother who nurtures and cares for her children. I am a friend who helps when needed. I am ME and so happy with it!!

A little more on all those points :)...

I am a child of God who knows my true potential.  If you want to learn more about why that is a major part of who I am go to LDS.org.

I am a wife of almost 10 years to a very busy husband who loves to stay fit and active too.  He is currently training for a 70.3 IRONMAN and motivates me to do so many of the things I never thought I could do.


I am a mother of 4 children, ages 7, 5, 3, and 1 years old, two boys and two girls that I love so much.  They keep me busy and on my toes but I wouldn't have it any other way.  They bring tears of joy, frustration and happiness to my life on a daily basis and I am so happy to be their mother!  NeNe is my oldest boy.  He loves to wrestle, run and be fit.  He did a triathlon last year and cannot wait to do one again.  Brownie is my oldest girl.  She loves learning to read and to draw/color all the time.  She is active in gymnastics and clogging and loves that she is getting muscles too.  Blondie is my 3rd child, 2nd daughter. She is anxiously awaiting getting to go to Kindergarten, but is loving preschool in the meantime.  She loves to dance around and ride her bike.  Cheese is my 4th and 2nd boy.  He is a cheeseball in everything.  He loves to make people laugh and is having a hard time trying to keep up with his older siblings.

And now onto why I really think I can do amazing and HARD things.  My road (which isn't over) to being a Fit and Fabulous Frog has not been easy!  I have been actively trying to loose weight on and off for 5 years, ever since I had my 2nd baby.  I was not happy with my body and where my health was headed.  My husband asked me if I wanted to be on a relay team with him for a 40 mile race.  I surprisingly said YES and started my training right then and there. I had never run more than what I was required to in school and always joked that the only time I needed to run was around the bases in baseball.  I now had to work up to more than 5 miles.  It wasn't easy, almost every step was hard but I completed that 5 miles with a smile on my face and tears running down my cheeks.  I had done it.  I had done what I set out to do, even when I thought it wasn't possible.  What an amazing journey!  Ever since then I have done various races and athletic adventures all with varying degrees of hardness and successes but the same result comes from every one I try.  I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!