1. Update: I’m back!

    So it’s been a while, I know. I haven’t updated in forever, and I haven’t really been keeping up with the whole fitness thing. I’ve been going through a lot personally, plus I’m just finishing my first term of college, and it’s been really crazy.

    The good news is that I’ve maintained my weight here. Instead of gaining the freshman 15, I’ve stayed within the range of 131-137, and am currently at 135. It’s almost as if my weight loss journey has been on pause for the past few months.

    But I’m going back home for break in a few days, and I’m going to try to get back on track! My goal from here on out isn’t so much about weight loss as it’s going to be about getting fit, though, and staying body-positive. I hope you guys understand why I’ve been away, but just know that I’m back now! :D

  2. Why I’ve been MIA for a little while…

    I’m in college now woot woot! It’s kind of been a little crazy because orientation lasts like a week and a half here, and it still isn’t over yet. I’m trying to get used to dorm life and everything, and it’s all so exciting and hectic! I’m actually having a bit of trouble with the dining hall food, since I’m required to be on the meal plan, but my college doesn’t have any nutrition information for the food. Anyone with experience living on a campus have any suggestions?

  3. Getting closer every day!

    Getting closer every day!

  4. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Eleven + Update

    Hey guys! Sorry for not posting about the challenge last night — a big storm swept through my town, and my internet connection got turned off. Luckily, I already had the 30 Day Shred bought on iTunes, so I still did it last night! And let me tell you, I thought Level One was challenging, but Level Two is another level of insanity altogether. But it was nice to get a challenge after doing ten days of Level One, that’s for sure!

    So here’s yesterday’s challenge question (I’ll post today’s after I’ve finished Day Twelve):

    Day 11: What is your favorite healthy restaurant/fast food meal? (They do exist, I promise!)

    Ok, so my favorite fast food is pretty much only healthy because I eat it in two settings. Basically, it’s from Chipotle (for those who don’t know what that is, it’s kind of like a Mexican Subway in a way), and it’s a vegetarian burrito bowl (basically a salad) with black beans, brown rice, lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. The whole thing is about 650 calories, so I usually will have one half for lunch one day and save the rest for later. It’s sooo good, though!

  5. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Ten (Finished Level One!)

    Day 10: List three things you’d like to do once you’re fit (if you’re already fit, list three things you couldn’t do before).


    1. Rock climbing

    I used to be able to do it when I was a kid and had incredible upper body strength. The last time I tried, though, was so embarrassing because I could barely lift myself up. My college has a rock climbing wall, so I’m hoping I can build my upper body strength up enough by August so that when I get there, I can climb up again!


    2. Running… in front of other people

    I’m capable of running, but I’ve always kept to my basement. This is more of a mental thing than a physical one, but I want to be a runner. I want to do 5ks and half-marathons and marathons and have the confidence to run in front of other people.


    3. Tell other people (IRL) about my weight loss journey

    I’ve told a few people, like some friends and my family, but I’ve always felt embarrassed to tell people I’m losing weight. I guess it’s because I feel that by telling them, I’m acknowledging that I had a weight problem in the first place. It’s silly, really, but I feel like I really should be more open with people by telling them. Who knows? Maybe I could help someone who is trying to start their own weight loss journey by sharing mine and being a real life example to the people in my life. 

  6. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Nine

    Day 09: Have you ever played sports? If so, which ones?

    No, definitely not haha :) I always wish my parents had encouraged me to do sports, but they never really did. I’m thinking about doing club soccer in college next year, though! I’ve always really been drawn to soccer for some reason (even though I don’t follow it on TV and really have no idea how to play… better get started on that!).

    P.S. Today was intense! For some reason, I sweat more through today than I have in the past few days of the 30 Day Shred. Not complaining, though! I love a good workout.

  7. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Eight

    Day 08: Are you the only overweight person in your family, or is everyone else overweight, too? (If you’re fit, are you the only fit person?) How does that affect you?

    Most of my mom’s side of the family is overweight/obese, and so is my mom and my dad. My twin sister is at a healthy weight, but not in a healthy way (she’s struggled with anorexia and bulimia for a while now). My mom has been losing weight with me, which has been nice, but she really hasn’t been as serious about it as I am. Even though she’s lost about 90 pounds, she doesn’t work out (much less do the Shred with me!), so I’m the only one.

    It’s tough, but I know that even though most of my family doesn’t quite understand my journey, that it’s worth it. We actually have a family reunion coming up in August, and I’m hoping I might be able to inspire some of them to start their own fitness journeys!

  8. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Seven

    Day 07: Name three fitness things (they could be clothes, apps, machines, etc.) you can’t live without.

    I’ve been waiting for Day Seven so I could answer this question! :)

    Top three:

    1. My fitbook 

    Seriously though, I use this thing every day. I track my calories, sleep, workouts, water, and nutrients every day, and it’s light enough to fit in my purse/backpack so I can take it anywhere! It’s a little expensive, at $22.95, but it lasts for twelve weeks and includes space for inspiration, goals, and notes. A cheaper version of this would just be to buy a notebook and copy the information on it, or you can download free calorie counting apps like MyFitnessPal or Calorie Count. I have to say though, tracking my calories has made a world of a difference for me!

    2. My Weightbot app

    I use this app all the time to track my weight. It’s actually really helpful to see a graph of each month, see how far I’ve come, and see how far I have to go. It was free when I got it, but if you don’t want to spend $1.99 in the App Store, you could always make your own graph on Excel! I just love being able to see a visual representation of my weight loss.

    3. My water bottle

    I take my water bottle everywhere with me! I used to be addicted to soda and never even drank water, but now that I have a water bottle, I can’t imagine life without it. It’s a lot cheaper than constantly buying plastic bottles, and a lot better for the environment. Whatever kind you get, make sure it’s BPA-free and durable! (Seriously though, I drop mine all the time, and can’t believe it’s still intact, lol.)

    ___

    P.S. Day Seven was tough, but I’m sticking in there!

    Oh, and the pictures (except the phone screenshots) aren’t mine — I got them off the internet.

  9. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Six

    Day 06: Have you ever successfully lost weight before?

    Yes and no. The most weight I’d ever lost before this year was 17 pounds. The first time was at a weight loss camp I went to when I was 11, but I gained that all back pretty easily. The second time, I was 12, and was doing the Special K Diet (which is so unbelievably unhealthy), eating probably 800 calories a day without realizing it. I gained all of it back as soon as I went off the diet.

    So technically, this is the first time that I’ve really been successful at losing weight. I’m doing it the healthy way and making sure that I can sustain it for the rest of my life, not just for a few weeks.

    __

    P.S. Day Six and I think I’m getting the hang of this! Now I’m starting to get nervous for Level 2…

  10. (via fuckyeahjillianmichaels) 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Five Day 05: Who is your top fitspiration? Hmmm….. Let me think about this one… I really have no clue. No one comes to mind really. (ASDFJKLJLJSAJDFKAL OF COURSE JILLIAN MICHAELS SHE’S AMAZING. That is all.) P.S. Today was probably my best day of the Shred so far. I’m definitely getting stronger! :)

    (via fuckyeahjillianmichaels)

    30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Five

    Day 05: Who is your top fitspiration?

    Hmmm….. Let me think about this one… I really have no clue. No one comes to mind really.

    (ASDFJKLJLJSAJDFKAL OF COURSE JILLIAN MICHAELS SHE’S AMAZING. That is all.)


    P.S. Today was probably my best day of the Shred so far. I’m definitely getting stronger! :)

  11. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Four

    Day 04: Name your favorite place to workout.

    Hmm. As much as I’d like to say the gym, I really love walking/biking (and hopefully running someday soon!) in the park. There’s one not too far from my house, and I love it because it’s just so peaceful there.

    Though I have to say, I’m starting to grow fond of my basement after four days of doing the 30 DS down there. Today was a lot better than the last three days, that’s for sure.

  12. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Three

    Day 03: Do your friends and family know you’re doing the Shred? If so, how do they feel about it?

    My sister knows, but that’s about it. I don’t think anyone in my family actually knows what the 30 DS actually is, or how challenging it is. I really should tell them, though, for more accountability XD

  13. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day Two

    Day 02: What made you decide to do the 30 DS? What are you hoping to get out of it?


    I had a one month-ish slump in my weight loss after I had to stop doing personal training because we couldn’t afford it anymore. I was doing cardio, but couldn’t find the motivation to do any strength training, and it was really affecting my progress. I had already been a huge fan of Jillian Michaels, and I had heard a lot about the Shred on tumblr, so one day I decided enough was enough.


    And here I am, having just finished Day Two! I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it because I was so sore from yesterday, but then I realized that making excuses doesn’t get any results.


    My goal for the next 28 days of the 30 DS is that I don’t quit, even when quitting seems like the most convenient thing to do. Of course I’m hoping to lose weight, too, but I think the accomplishment of just being able to say I did it would mean so much more.

  14. Sorry for the crappy quality! I had to take these in my basement so no one would creep in on me.

    Anyway, here are my before pictures for the 30 Day Shred. 

  15. 30 Day Shred Challenge: Day One

     What are your stats? Feel free to post a before picture if you feel comfortable.

    I’m 5’2” (Really 5’1 3/4”, but whatever :P) and started off today at 144.6 pounds. 

    I have to say that even after only one workout, that Jillian Michaels is going to kick my ass in the next 30 days. This has got to be the hardest workout I’ve done in my life, but I felt soooo good after I got done today.

    Day one down, 29 to go!

    Oh, and I’ll add pictures in a separate post.

About me

"Why choose to fail when success is an option?" — Jillian Michaels

Hi! My name is Breana, and this is my fitspo :) My goal is to bring a positive message to other people who are trying to lose weight (note: this is not a pro-ana or pro-mia tumblr!) and give advice based on my journey so far. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm on my way! The above quote is my inspiration, because it reminds me that everything I do is a choice, and that I can either choose to do well and continue to lose weight, or choose to give up on my goals and fail. I choose to stay strong!

Current Stats (as of August 21, 2012):

Height: 5'2" (158 cm)

SW: 180 lbs (81.6 kg)

CW: 133 lbs (60.3 kg)

UGW: 125 lbs (56.7 kg)