I am NOT Photoshoped!

Well, today I had to face something new; being called fake. A fitness group (which is actually a pretty cool group) posted my picture from Pinterest to their site as a motivational thing. There were lots of nice comments, but a lot of really hurtful ones too. I was called a fake, a liar, and "nice try...photshop is a great tool"

::::::::::::The before pic was taken right after I had Jake, at 174.6lbs. The after was when I hit 125. I'm now 110, but I always said that if I made it to 125, I'd take a photo for Bob Harper and submit it. He published my photo & letter (which is why I'm on Pinterest!) and someone found it.:::::::::::::

Ouch. One guy called me "cocky" and said he was surprised I still had a wedding ring on in the "after" photo! What is wrong with these assholes? One guy said my boobs looked "off", so I must have used photoshop.

Really? So here I am, going on record, and stating that I am NOT photoshopped! Please...if I was going to photoshop myself, I'd make my boobs bigger in my after pic. Because seriously, going from a DD to an A cup really sucks. I can't choose where I lose weight. It's part of the process. For the man comparing my jewelry, I am wearing the same jewelry in both pictures, it's actually what I'm wearing now too. It's just my daily jewelry, and it tends to shift. And why wouldn't I still be married? Oh yeah, maybe because I love my husband. Go figure. And I am not "cocky", I'm confident. Learn the difference. The cameras are different in both pictures because my husband got me a new one for my birthday a month before that "after" picture. So what? It's the same room, same me, just a lot smaller. Why the hate? Are you so uncomfortable in your own skin that you have to bring ME down? Get a life, and don't put me down. Guess what? I cut my hair short and it's a different color now, so does that mean it's not me AGAIN? Please. Go look at my progression pictures and then try to talk smack. Better yet, pick up a kettle bell and try to keep up with me! I've got $10 that says you can't ;)

It was really hurtful reading those negative comments about myself, when all I've tried to do is help people through my own experience. So many people are where I was at, and I just want to help. People can be so mean. I'm letting it roll though. The site admin is pretty cool, and I talked to him for a bit tonight. I guess you can't win them all, hu? At least I can have my say here!

So anyways, believe me or not, it's not my concern. But I'm a pretty honest and real person. Which is why I started blogging in the first place. People need to know that doing what I did is absolutely possible! I can't win them all, but I just wanted to clear the air in case anyone else was wondering.

HarperGirl

Looking Back...

So my brother messaged me early this morning to tell me that he found this little gem of me:

Ouch. I was stunned looking at it. This was me at 210lbs, my heaviest ever. Granted, this is me now...

But still, I think I still see myself as the girl in the first photo. No matter how hard I try, I still see that girl in the mirror and in my mind. I'm trying to get out of that mind-frame. It's much easier said that done. I tell myself I'm worth more than any image, but if I'm truly honest, I think that people treat you how they see you. That was part of the reason I wanted to change in the first place. I was tired of being invisible. I always blended into the crowd, unless someone was trying to point out a fat chick. I never had any fun, for fear of people looking at me and judging me. People DO judge bigger people harshly. Why? I don't know. We are all still people. I am the same girl in both pictures...but the girl in that first picture wouldn't get asked if she needed help at a store, or have doors opened for her, or have people offer to carry her things to her car when she was alone. Nope. Never.

Am I different? Somewhat. But I am still the same Mandy that I always was. Other than my lifestyle changes, I make almost all the same choices I would have back then, my interests are still the same, and I have all the same people in my life other than my new friends at this base. I am treated differently though, and sometimes that makes me angry. Angry that people judge. Angry that people chose to not see me or associate with me. Angry that society has the world thinking that size 0 is the best.

You know what the best is? Being fit. No, I'm serious. Whatever size you are at, if you are FIT, you are at your best health. We are beautiful at every size, and there is so much more to all of us than our weight. It's sad that sometimes people don't see that, and that society puts so much emphasis on image. It makes us treat others, and ourselves, differently. But, remember that you are worthy, beautiful, and amazing no matter what size you are! We are all people, we are all the same.

Until next time,

HarperGirl

Skinny Mom; I'm Famous!

Skinny Mom Article on Me!

WOW! I'm famous! Okay, maybe not famous, but still, I'm very humbled. This just made my day!

Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it. I was just lucky enough to be featured and blessed enough to share.

I'm so excited!

HarperGirl AKA Mandy

Mandy's Motivation One Year Later

Recently I was asked what motivates me. I'm lacking motivation lately, although I'm still working out. I've been in a mood since I splurged on my birthday dinner this past week. If you know me, you know that I very rarely splurge. Don't get me wrong, I'll have a treat every now and then, but I don't go all out like I did on my birthday! It was nice, but I felt guilty about 2 hours later! haha! I can't help it. Plus, my body just isn't used to eating like that anymore, and I was sick the rest of the night from the grease and terrible foods I just consumed.

So, back to my topic. There are so many things that motivate me.

1. Smaller clothes
2. Being able to run around outside with my kiddos
3. Getting "that look" from my hubby
4. Sharing new experiences I couldn't have had unless I was physically fit
5. Signing up for my first 5K! SQUEE!
6. Being a little more outgoing
7. Feeling like the person I was meant to be. My inside matches my outside now.
8. Having a better marriage from losing my insecurity
9. Making new friends (who didn't know the "old me")
10. Looking back at my fat pictures and remembering how far I've come
11. Better sex! Yes...I said it.
12. Trying out new things in the kitchen
13. Finding new hobbies (eating is no longer a hobby!)

14. Going to the beach and not covering up!
15. Being FIT and not just skinny
16. Helping other people on their weight loss journey
17. Being CURVY and not "fat-curvy"
18. Seeing my hip bones
19. Buying clothes without trying them on

20. Guessing my size/weight
21. No longer being ashamed of myself
22. Being the mommy of 2 kids under 5 years old and looking better than I did in high school!
23. Rocking my gorgeous ball gown at the Marine Corps Ball this past fall

24. Being proud of myself for not quitting
25. Hearing how proud my husband is of me
26. Runners high!
27. Reading my letter from Bob Harper
28. Working towards new fitness goals
29. Being the one others turn to when they need help with their weight loss problems
30. Setting a good example for my kids
31. Trying new foods when we go out to eat that are healthy
32. Being who I am, versus trying to be who I wanted
33. Being comfortable in my own skin
34. Being really happy for the first time in my entire life
35. Meeting other people who share the same goals I have
36. Knowing that not only will I NOT give up, but I can't! Other people depend on me.
37. Never taking another picture like this ever again (I'm in the blue):

38. Hearing that others are inspired by me! ME!
39. Feeling my rock-hard ab muscles!
40. Sleeping better at night
41. Being able to go out to eat without feeling like everyone is staring at me
42. Not just taking pictures, but being IN them...and liking it :)
43. Not being the "fat friend" anymore
44. Being in control of my body
45. Knowing what I want out of life, and knowing who I am
46. Reinventing myself!
47. Banishing the fear I've had for years.

That's my list for now, although I may add to it. I think of new ones randomly throughout the day!

Until next entry...stay fit, stay strong!

HarperGirl AKA Mandy

Losing Weight, Gaining Control

I've said before that once I got my body physically stronger, I also got stronger mentally too. Once of the reasons I keep up with my healthy lifestyle is the control I feel over my own life. Once I lost the weight, I started dropping other things in my life that I didn't need. My mother used to call me a pack rat. I would hold onto items because they held memories for me, even if that item was useless and I had no place for it. Although my house has always been clean, I was holding onto things that had no place in my life anymore. I had clothes in my closet that I never wore once! I started looking at my life differently. I let go of clutter around my house, I started organizing like crazy, got rid of old things I didn't need, and even let go of old friends that used me. I found an inner strength through my physical strength.

As a Marine Corps wife, I sometimes feel like I have very little control over anything. I can't pick where we live, where my husband goes, when he goes, what schools my kids can go to...right now I can't even pick what continent we live on! I started looking at what I can control in my life. I can control my workouts, I can control what I put into my mouth, I can control my body. I can control how I  FEEL about my body, my life, my surroundings. I lost 100lbs of fat, but I gained self control and self respect.

I think we all often feel out of control, especially when we are overweight or not happy with our bodies. Every time I stole food off a plate that wasn't mine (my kids' plate especially!) every time I had a handful of something in the pantry that I shouldn't have, every time I started eating while I was cooking dinner, I felt more and more out of control, and more unhappy. I felt like I was spiraling down again. I still battle this, I still fight the urges to do this everyday. I feel more proud of myself though when I don't do swipe that food or eat when I'm not supposed to. It makes me feel empowered to say NO. I made that choice, I made the choice to live this way and to be happier.

Does it make you feel out of control when you can't stop the urge to swipe food? What can you say "no" to today?

Today's Tip: What I do to help stop useless snacking is spacing out my calories during the day. If I feel full, I normally don't have the urge to snack. I stopped taking food from any other member of my family just because they don't eat it and only ate what was on my plate. I focused on my calorie intake for the day and made sure I had enough to space out my food. If I am truely hungry, I will have a piece of fruit and try to stay away from carbs that often leave us feeling less than satisfied.

New Blog Look & My Playlist!

So, a new year and a new look for my little blog. What do you think? I like it!

How are you kicking off your new year? Have you made plans to lose weight, to be fit? I know I always did. This year, my goal is to run more and run a 5K. Can you make this your new years goal?

If you made a fitness goal, let me help you by giving you my playlist! This is what I workout to, especially running. I look for songs with a certain beat to help keep me energized while I run!

1. Enrique Iglesias- I like it
2. Usher- Yeah!
3. Christina Aguilera- Fighter
4. Christina Aguilera- Candy Man
5. Katy Perry- Firework
6. Katy Perry- Hot & Cold
7. Paramore- Crush Crush Crush
8. Gorrilaz- Feel Good Inc.
9. Katy Perry – E.T.
10. LMFAO- Sexy and I Know It
11. Pussy Cat Dolls- Don'tcha
12. Muse- Supermassive Black Hole
13. Jesse McCartney- How Do You Sleep
14. Usher- DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love
15. Black Eyed Peas- Pump It
16. Beyonce – Single Ladies

There's my personal list. Lots of music categories, and it may not be your style, but I like the beats and feels of these songs. These are great for running too. Fighter is my personal favorite; it makes me push harder when I feel like quitting.

Until next time!
Mandy AKA HarperGirl

DVD Review: Total Body Transformation

Today I will be reviewing Total Body Transformation from my main man, Bob Harper!

This is his newest and latest DVD, and it's amazing! I've done the full workout twice, and the mini workout once. This DVD is for intermediate to advanced fitness levels. It's designed to help blast through a weight loss plateau, and that is exactly what this DVD will do! Bob makes good on his promise. Complete with dive bombers, low-jacks, around the world push-ups, and side burpees, this DVD was the hardest workout I've ever done. EVER. It has a Cross-Fit type feel to it, which is great since I never go to the gym to do the classes. I thought his last DVD was the hardest, and I was wrong.

He has a new set of uber fit people behind him, and they really struggle through this DVD as well. Seeing those amazingly fit people struggle made me feel better! The first time through this workout, I wanted to die 15 minutes into it. It was that hard! I got through the entire DVD and I was sore the rest of the day. A good hurt...but still! He works in weights with cardio, which is his normal style.

The 15 minute workout is a really good workout when you are short on time. Lots of really great moves that have you sweating in no time!

You'll need one heavy weight and a set of light weights for this DVD...and bring your A-Game! Cause as Bob says "if you ain't gonna do it right, don't do it at all!"

Till next time.....
HarperGirl AKA Mandy <3