Saturday, June 30, 2012

My "Songs that Make Me Happy to Workout" Playlist

I am a huge music buff and love cranking up my favorite tunes and dancing around to the beat (of course this only occurs when I am alone in my house).  I've even been known to break out into what I like to call "Car Dancing" when one of my favorite songs comes on the radio which is quite entertaining for the other cars on the road.. I am sure several people at the gym have even noticed me on the eliptical machine swaying with the music.. I have caught myself even humming outloud without noticing it.. obviously... I LOVE MUSIC!  When I started going back to the gym I put together a new playlist to help keep me motivated while working out.  I think there is now like 200 songs on the right now, and I thought I would share a few of them with you, in case you were needed a few new tunes to keep you motivated as well. 

One of my most frequently played workout songs is by Gym Class Heroes called "The Fighter".  I religiously start out every workout with this song because it is so motivating for me.  If you haven't heard this song yet, you can watch the video of it below.  I am seriously obsessed with this song for so many reasons... the most obvious reason is the message.  It reminds me that no matter what your struggle is.. where you came from, or how hard you have it...to  just hang in there and KEEP FIGHTING.

Other songs on my playlist that I've titled "Songs that Make Me Happy to Workout" (yes, that is really what I named it):

Comback Kid - Brett Dennen
Say Hey (I love You)-Michael Franti  and Spearhead
Sexy Back-Justin Timberlake (edited version).... (don't judge me for loving this song)
What Makes you Beautiful - One Direction
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay
Stronger- Kelly Clarkson
Love Today - Mika
Runaway- Mat Kearney
Tonight Tonight - Hot Chelle Ray
Break me Out - The Rescues
Big Girl You are Beautiful - Mika
Love you Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez
Way to the Future - Katie Herzig
Good Girl - Carrie Underwood
Lollipop - Mika
Gonna Get Over You - Sara Bareillis
My Body - Young the Giant (this is the song I listen to towards the end of my workout to keep me motivate to keep going)
Hey Mama - Mat Kearney
Break Your Heart Taio Cruz
Payphone- Maroon 5 (make sure you get the edited version of this song ;)
Dog Days are Over - Florence and the Machine
Called Out in the Dark - Snow Patrol
Someone Like You - Keith Urban
Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
Umbrella - Rihanna
Blame it on the Girls - Mika
Who Knew - Pink
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Shake it - Metro Station
Hips Don't Lie - Shakira
Soul Meets Body - Death Cab for Cutie
If I Never See Your Face Again - Maroon 5 with Rihanna
Ships in the Night - Mat Kearney
Here (In Your Arms)- HelloGoodbye

I would love to hear what some of your favorite workout songs are too so I can add some of them to my list! 

Sunday, June 24, 2012

The Journey

Last week after our workout, a friend of mine gave me this piece of paper with the following saying on it to help keep us motivated and remind us what it will take to be successful on our weight loss journey and I thought I would share it with you:
It will hurt.

It will take time.

It will require dedication.

It will require willpower.

You will need to make healthy decisions.

It requires sacrifice.

You will need to push your body to its max.

There will be temptation.

But, I promise you, when you reach your goal, it’s worth it!
I took that piece of paper and hung it up on the wall in my room so I can see it every day as a little reminder of what I have to do and to stick with things.  The other day when I was having a hard time motivating myself to get to the gym, I sent a text to one of my friends for some support and her message back to me was "You can do it.  Read the paper Jen gave us "... as I read through that paper it was all I needed to encourage me to get my butt into the gym. 

I know this journey we are on is going to take a long time, and like this quote says.. a lot of sacrifice.. but I know in the end, it will be worth it!  Thank you Jen and Beth for your motivation this week!  I needed it. 

I have made sign with this saying on it, so if you would like to print it out for yourself,
 just click the link below:

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The compulsive planner in me

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

So, I am a list maker... shocking I know.. but I love to make "To Do" list and cross each item off as I do it.  Yes, I am a nerd like that, but I find that it really helps me stay focused, and to be able to celebrate accomplishments.  Along with being a list maker, I am also an obsessive "planner".  Again, no surprise by those who know me.   I compulsively start each with with a "To Do" list for both home and work, along with a menu plan for the week.  I even plan out my social events.. I like to know by Tuesday or Wednesday that I will have some fun plans for the weekend, I don't necessarily need to have planed out what I will be doing on the weekend, but more like just have the security of knowing I will have something fun to do on my days off.  Weird... I know!  I am finding that this quirky planning skill I have is coming in handy with my goal of trying to be healthy.  I love recording when I go to the gym, and planning out my menu each week and creating shopping lists.  I once heard long ago a quote that has stuck with me.. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail", and I have found it to be pretty accurate.   If I don't plan on going to the gym, it is just way to easy to find something else to do in it's place.  If I don't plan out what I will be eating for the week, it is all to easy to order take out or snack all day long.  One thing that I have really loved about my gym (Planet Fitness) is that I can have someone else come along with me, and I am finding that using the buddy system with exercise has really motivated me to go.  I actually have looked forward to going to the gym just so I can see my friends... crazy huh.  I have also found that going with people can motivate me to work harder and longer instead of just going through the motions when I am by myself.  So, thank you friends who count on me to be at the gym with you!  You have made working out so much more fun!   So, I have come up with a couple of forms that have helped me plan and track out my workouts and menu.  I am not sure how to attach them to this post, but I am giving it a try... so

Click here for my Workout Plan/Tracker form:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2MVL2xrU-5sRUFvalZvUTRMbFE

And Click here for my Menu Plan/Shopping List form:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2MVL2xrU-5sTFhhb2dJcDBvYm8

Sunday, June 17, 2012

In the Beginning..

Welcome to my blog!  This May I turned 40 years old!  Yep, you heard me, the big 4-0!  Turning 40 has really made me take a look at my life and some of the things I am happy with, and some of the things I am not so happy with.  One of the things I am the least happy about is my weight, and how I have let my weight define me, including what I can do and what I can't.  Basically, I have let my weight limit me.  Does this sound familiar to anyone else?  I have always been the "funny fat friend", the one you call when you need cheering up, a night out on the town, a good laugh, a delicious meal.  I have been the "eternal" best friend to many a single man, the supportive friend to others trying to make changes in their life and the comic relief to those going through tough times... and I love that about me, and all of that brings me joy beyond measure, however, it also makes me sad at times.  Throughout the years I have watched several of my friends succeed, and even encouraged them to do so with their weight loss goals, but have not been so encouraging of myself.  Yesterday, I ran into a friend of mine that I haven't seen in about 2 years and I hardly recognized her.  About 2 1/2 years ago this friend was complaining about her weight and I encouraged her to sign up for weight watchers with me.  We went to meetings together for a couple of months, but my life started to get really busy (I was working 2 jobs) and I stopped going and lost contact with her.  Imagine my surprise when I see her 2 years later and 80 lbs.. yes, I said 80 lbs lighter.. she had stuck with weight watchers and made getting healthy her priority, while I had not.  She looks amazing, while I am still in the same place that I have always been... the "funny fat friend", the one who continues to let my weight control and define who I am... well not anymore! 

At the beginning of 2012, I made a resolution that this was the year that I was going to take care of me!  The year I was going to put self improvement first on my list!  The year that I was going to stick with and succeed at something.  Since January, I have made some huge steps with this in some areas... I started seeing a therapist to work on some of my self limiting behaviors, I took control of some situations that I was not happy with at my job, and I signed up for an online dating website (I could write a whole blog on this topic alone) in an effort to meet some single straight guys.  I also did a lot of thinking about getting healthier, but made no real progress, until now.  About 2 months ago I joined a gym and I actually love working out..I just love hanging out and do fun things with friends, or watching my favorite television shows, or doing other things more.  I seem to always have an excuse of why I am not consistent with my gym attendance.  I have even been paying for Weight Watchers online for the past 6 months, however, I have again not followed that plan consistently, but I have had a couple of "wake up calls"in the past month, and I am determined to make my health a priority, and somehow figure out a way to still have fun while losing weight.  This blog is going to be dedicated to that. 

A few weeks ago I went to Baltimore for work and met up with my wonderful friend Anica who I hadn't seen in 4 years.  She and I had a long discussion about how we both felt like we were ready, willing and able to make the changes in our lives we needed to in order to be healthy.  We came up with a plan, which included us holding each other accountable to stick with things, and weekly check ins with each other or what we like to call "our health hotties check in".  I guess like an online support group since we live thousands of miles apart.  In doing all this it got me thinking that maybe setting up a blog could not only help me but others as well.... so here it is.. my blog.  I title the blog "Real Change" since that is what is necessary in my life in order to get to where I want to be...the "healthy thin funny friend".  After the talk that Anica and I that night on the way back to my hotel we randomly stopped to have someone take our picture.  I didn't realize it until later on but in the picture we are standing in front of a boat with the name "Reel Change".  I think that was more than coincidence, considering our conversation that night, and because of that, I have decided to adopt the motto of "Real Change" as I start this new adventure.  I am hoping, no I am planning on that in a year from now, you will see a thinner, healthier Camille, but until then I will keep you updated through the blog on my progress, trials, success, highs and lows.  Keep on checking back in on the blog and feel free to post your encouraging thoughts, tips, ect.  I would love to hear from you all.  Just keep in mind that I am not a professional blogger so there is bound to be a few formatting hiccups along the way!  If you are interested in being a contributer to this blog and joining in on the weight loss journey.. let me know!  The more healthy hotties.. the better!

                             "Reel Change" - the before picture for Anica and I.. June 6, 2012