the space between my toes

I remember the day I lost my feet. I remember catching a glimpse of them and thinking they are no longer pretty and feminine like they had once been. They no longer showed the veins and tendons, that nice trim look had disappeared. I had actually lost the space between my toes because of how large they had gotten. It was the last part of me that I still saw as slim which was now gone.
 
I also remember the day I got my feet back. I was laying on the couch and said to Dan “hey I actually have space between my toes”. I tell you this simple and maybe to some of you very pointless fact because I want to focus on paying attention to the little things, the small changes, the tiny victories.
 
Here are some of my small changes/ little victories:
 
I have really noticed a change in my hands, similar to the changes in my feet. I am starting to see the tendons as well as more consistent veins. My engagement ring (received in July) is already spinning on my finger and my wrist bones are finally back! I have also noticed my collarbones starting to show which is very encouraging. Fun Fact: Dan taught me that you will lose body fat from the outside in; meaning from your fingers in, toes up and head down.
My forearms have muscles that I have never had before and are starting to show great definition. My face is the change people notice the most. I get the most “you have lost weight I can really see it in your face” comments. Its so nice to pass the point in my journey where outsiders are noticing the changes, not just me.
 
Clothes, clothes, clothes! I have had to go on a couple shopping trips to get clothes that fit. I will come down stairs dressed for church and Dan will say “I think those pants need to go in the Goodwill pile, your bum is saggy!” So up I go to find a new outfit. It’s a great problem to have as I do love shopping. I will often put on a shirt and say “holy cow, look how big this is on me” and then find Dan a picture of me in the same shirt years prior. We will then marvel at the changes that have taken place and rejoice in that tiny victory. ANDDD to my amazement some of my shoes are too big. Who knew that my feet had trimmed down to a point where my shoes don’t fit any more! I now have to walk around the house a couple laps before leaving to ensure they will stay on my feet.
 
Two smaller goals of mine were to be able to wear tall boots and to weigh less than Dan. 10 months into my fitness journey and I am able to wear tall boots just in time for Fall! This was one of the biggest and more emotional victories for me. Not 100% sure why accomplishing this goals was so big for me but I was very very happy walking out of the store with my first pair of tall boots. I have also surpassed Dan in weight by 1 pound! Its only 1 pound but its still one of my goals being met!
 
Lastly is my Bench jacket. I bought this with Dan in April and at the time it was 4 inches shy of doing up and I could hardly move my arms but I wanted it so bad. I had never had a Bench jacket before and all the cool girls wore them! (lol) I took a painting down in my front hall way and I hung the Jacket up there so I would see it every day. It was my goal to fit into this jacket. As of September 2015 the jacket fits!! Dan and I celebrated this tiny victory with McDonalds... JK, but we did celebrate and were very happy and proud!
 
Don’t get me wrong, I still have those days where I feel like I’m 300lbs and other days I feel like I’m 100lbs. But even when I have those "Fat Days" as I call them, my hands don’t change, my collarbone still shows and my Bench jacket still fits!
It was fun to reminisce with Dan as we talked about this blog, to think back on all these small victories. I love stopping to reflect on these goals as I find these small victories a constant reminder to not give up even when the scale doesn’t change and you feel discouraged. 
 
I tell you about the small changes because sometimes we are so focused on hitting our goal weight that we miss the small victories. I hope you will stop and take count of YOUR little victories, which I feel add up to more in the long run.
 
What are your small changes/ little victories? Start to take notice of the smaller changes as you venture on your fitness journey. They should make you smile!
 
I have written down some tips I use that may be helpful to you. These will help you see those small victories and ultimately reach your final goal.  

• Write out your workouts. Get a journal and write out what you are going to do during that work out, how many reps and sets. Below are some pictures from my workout journal.
• Monthly Calendar. Focus on one week at a time, this will be less overwhelming. My goal for each week is to workout 4-5 times. I set my workout days first and then everything else around them. Then I know when my 2-3 days off are and can plan other events. I include at home workouts, gym days, bootcamps, and running.
• Pill Bottle. Getting that old person Pill Bottle has been very helpful in keeping track of my vitamin intake. In case you are unsure of what vitamins to take, here is what I take daily: 2 fish oil, vitamin B, vitamin D, 4 Spirulina (vegetable protein) and 3 CLA.
• Incorporate Super Foods into your diet such as goji berries, cinnamon, spinach (Read Dan’s blog “Nutrition and Ashmeades” for more super foods).
• Emergency supply of nuts on hand. When I am feeling hungry between meals I have a baggy of mixed nuts in my lunch bag. I take a handful of them and some water and it ties me over until my next meal.
• Water. Always carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and drink it! It’s so simple.
• Drink two green teas a day.
• Refuel Meal. (Or Cheat meal) Plan out your one refuel meal for the week and stick to your meal plan every other day.  
• I try not to eat after 8 PM.
• Goal Journal. Write out all of your goals by date. All the small things you want to see, like my bench jacket fitting or wearing tall boots. Also include functional goals like squatting a certain amount or running a certain distance. All goals are tracked in one book, by date, tangible and functional. When it is written its real! 
• Focus on 90 day challenges. By cutting up your journey into 90 day chunks you will find it less overwhelming. (Read Dan;s Blog “90 Day Challenge) At the beginning of each 90 days, record in your Goals Journal your weight, measurements and of course set new goals
• Use Bio Oil each night to help with stretch marks and your skin adjusting as your trim down.
• Constant Education. Never stop learning about nutrition and fitness. This will build your competence and will give you confidence.

Try implementing 1 of these tips each week over the next couple months. All of these small steps show I am taking control of my fitness, my life, my journey.

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Remember 1 + 1= 2 
If you are eating healthy and working out you will see your body change.

Tiffany Ashmeade

Pictures below
90 Day challenge from March 22- June 22. Shows all the areas I measure, my goals set in March and my goals reached in June. 

Second two are examples from my Workout Journal.