The 50 Day Spring Melt Off Challenge

Maybe you have never heard, but my one year of weight loss mania comes to an end in less than 50 days. Lana has challenged me to a 50 Day Spring Melt Off. This will consist of daily challenges that will all stack up over the next six weeks. Challenges will include anything and everything that is related to fitness and becoming a healthier Serene. Because you have become an important part of my journey thus far, I would be honored to invite you along. Each day I will be blogging about that daily challenge, and giving you Tips and Tricks on how to conquer the challenge for tomorrow. So I will be a few days ahead of each of you, cheering you on!

To be part of the 50 Day Spring Melt Off all you need to do is send an e-mail! Include your name and what kind of goal you would like to achieve when participating. In the end there may be prizes but if I gave away all the secrets, you would be doing it for something other than yourself. Send that email to onelessday.ridgeathletic@gmail.com and that will get you all registered.

I am so excited to have you along for a 50 Day Spring Melt Off. What a crazy time to join in all the fun!

One Less Day

Be MyFitnessPal

At 19 years old I was living the dream life in Houston, Texas. I had great friends, I was doing what I loved, and the food in Texas made my day, everyday. It was uncommon for me to prepare my own food or even to pack a lunch for work. I did however manage to eat Fruity Pebbles every morning, so for breakfast I was taking care of myself. The office I worked at was in the heart of Houston, leaving me to eat out every lunch and for socially reasons eating out for dinner. I was extra happy eating fried okra, isn’t that a vegetable? I also made sure to eat my fruits, peach cobbler, and take in plenty of dairy for strong bones, Blue Bell Ice Cream.

This past week I was looking through old pictures of what Texas was really like. I was shocked to see how much my life has changed. Although I love Texas, it is hard for me to imagine what would have happened if I had stayed there. The group of people that I had surrounded myself with in Houston was not in any hurry to change their lifestyle of eating out, nor was I.

Just this weekend I was driving in my car eating a muffin. I thought to myself “what would happen if Lana drove past”? Why was I so concerned with what I was eating when I was alone? No one would know, or would they?! At this stage in my life style change, closet eating is the WORST thing that could be happening. I need to be letting each of you into my day and holding me accountable to everything that goes into this body. Will you be myfitnesspal? Join online, and its totally free, at myfitnesspal.com. My user name is serenecusack (so original, I know) and add me, please? I need the support; I only have 3 months left until I need to have reached my goal!

One Less Day 

Not Taking Vacation on Vacation

Greetings from Delta Flight 1560 with service to Tampa, FL! Who wouldn't want to be on a flight to sunny Florida from Montana at the end of January. Well if Bozeman actually had snow, I think this trip would be much more difficult to take. Since May, this is my first vacation where I am totally on my own for food. That means breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are all up to me to choose. This makes traveling unappealing, not gonna lie. I am very excited to be seeing friends and spending time at the happiest place on earth, but seriously I am going to be suffering without the gym and my meals planned out for me.

I know that some of you travel often, how do you keep your figure?


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Excuses... Buried Alive

It's not very often that I get to do it, but some nights I love to sit at home and watch trashy tv. There are a few shows that really suck me in. It's hard for me to pass up the opportunity of watching Teen Mom 2, Sweet Home Alabama, and Locked Up: Raw. All three of these shows take time from me that I will never get back, and when I'm done watching them I feel useless. There is one show however that leaves me motivated, and no it is not Biggest Loser. Any TV program that can motivate people is a success, and this show dose just that. Hoarders: Buried Alive not only motivates me to clean, but it also motivates me to shower.

After watching a woman clean up most of  her roach filled house, I had a sudden "come to my senses" moment. I always wonder how in the world people let themselves get to the point of living in complete filth. But that should leave me wondering the same thing about my "house". Not my physical house filled with roaches, piles of garbage, and rotting food, but my body that I stuff with garbage and junk. See, I have excuses for myself, just like the people having excuses for themselves and their hoarding problems.

I am allowing myself to become buried alive in my own excuses for not continuing with my past weight loss trends. It's been nine months at the end of January, and for the first time I have to tell you I gained weight and inches. It would be easy to bury this under a bunch of excuses. But I can't, I won't. It's not an easy journey, and gaining weight sucks.

Lana is sure I can still reach my goal by May. Things will be different, portion control and writing down everything that goes in my mouth. When I started I never thought I would make it this far. Thank you for supporting me (every single day) and I continue to change my life.

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Bless... Texas?

There have been moments in my life where I look deep into my soul and promise myself that the particular situation will never happen again. For example the moment I experienced the 5th day of July in Houston Texas.

My roommates and I had just finished working a camp for a month when we headed back to the house so I could unpack my bags and fix to leave for Montana. Most of the time the only place your safe from the Texas heat is in your house or at Wal-Mart. Both places should have wonderful air conditioning. When away for the month, our broken AC went unnoticed leaving our house to become an oven. Our landlords were unable to fix it immediately, leaving us to melt for a solid 48 hours. My roommate and I would lay in the living room in minimal clothes as possible, with plug in fans blowing on us and ice packs all over my body. Not only were we dealing with the summer heat of Texas, we lived in it for the longest 48 hours of my life. It was then and there on that tan pleather couch that I made a vow with myself I would never suffer that amount of heat again. And I was doing well so far, I mean I moved back to Montana and if anything experienced the opposite. Unfortunately the vow of staying away from the heat came to an end a few days ago.

I’m always up for an adventure, so I agreed to attend Bikrum Yoga. Have you ever heard about it? Well, I’ll put it this way, Texas in July when trying to make myself into a salted pretzel. All due respect to the practice of yoga, this type of yoga is one for the history books. The room is a piping 105 degrees and 40% humidity, and for 90 minutes I did my best. But what was my best? Lying in a pile of sweat, remembering the days of Texas, and dreaming of ice cream was the best I could do. It’s always an adventure when trying something new, but at this point in my adventure I’m willing to do anything to change it up. Have you considered doing something beyond your comfort zone? I’m happy to go with anyone to Bikrum!

One Less Day

2-0-1-2

Hello New Year! It is hard for me to believe that 2011 is over and it’s a new year. Ready or not! Has anyone ever told you that changing your life is hard? Yeah, I think I might have missed that memo. I have been at this for 8 months now and it is most definitely the most difficult thing I have ever done. So please do not let anyone tell you changing your life is easy, but so far it’s been amazingly worth it.

 Yesterday after personal training with Lana, we had a conversation that is no stranger to us. I made the simple statement that this may be getting harder, and why was it so easy this summer? The answer to this problem is motivation. It is like I have come out of the “fun, new, and exciting” stage and into the “well I guess this really is reality, and a lot harder than I thought” stage. This is not a fun stage to be in, just in case you have never been in this stage. So I realized I needed some new motivation for 2012 and something to spice up my winter.

Bike to Blackmore Lake Fall 2011

For me I need something that I can look forward to, that is achievable and short term. I noticed I did well when I had weekly goals and shot term goals. So what’s my plan? I am excited to train for the bike leg of an upcoming triathlon! I sink like a battle ship in water, and because of my hip I am unable to run, but I do love to bike. There may or may not be a slight problem. I have never been on any type of road bike. So not only do I need to train for that, I also need some suggestions on how exactly to get started road biking.

Do you know anyone with some type of knowledge on road bikes? Where should I look to borrow/purchase a road bike? Can I train on a spin bike at the Ridge then just ride a road bike once before the race? I have a lot of questions and would love some help.

It’s a new year, and I myself am after some new motivation! The day I bike around the world, well more like Missoula is April 21^st . That's right around the corner folks, and I need your help!

One Less Day

Dear Santa…

This past week my family had some friends over for dinner, and of course Santa was part of our conversation. Being December and all it’s not uncommon to discuss the greatest man that never existed and just how magical the thought of him is. One of the little boys that came over just turned 9. He is in that stage in life where he wants to believe so bad in Santa, but the kids at school keep trying to tell him Santa and the Elf’s are all made up.

In my house believing in Santa is part of the Christmas spirit. “If you don’t believe, you don’t receive.” I start writing my letter to Santa on June 15^th, the day after my birthday. Poor Santa! The good news is my Christmas list gets shorter every year, it’s just the fact that the items on the list get more expensive. This year we had 14 Cusack’s shoved into one home, forcing Santa to come tonight. So here is my letter to Santa:

Dear Santa,

We are excited to have you back to the Cusack house! A lot is going to be different around here this Christmas. Let me address the most important issue first. We will not be leaving you any cookies this year but rather a plate of delicious vegetables and protein. No, the vegetables are not reindeer food. It doesn’t taste too bad but your right; it’s not the same as cookies. I have been sugar free for almost 8 months now Santa but I have not lost my sweetness. That is why I am still on your nice list! The milk I left you is soy milk. It may taste a little strange, but it’s good with Chai tea. I just don’t have any right now so straight soy will have to do.

Second thing, let’s talk about clothing. My shoe size hasn’t changed so you are safe there with the cute boots I’m wanting. But my pants are another story, I am dropping sizes like crazy! I love getting my pants at Kohls because I think they switch the clothing tags so you are in a size smaller. Maybe your elves will do that too? I wouldn’t mind size 4 or 6 pants, but now I may be asking too much.

Third and final thing Santa, remember my trainer Lana? Well she OFTEN calls me a “Hot Mess” cause I’m not organized, maybe something to keep all my mess together? I hate to say this, but most of it is floating around the back of my car. I’m pretty sure I won’t get a boy friend until I keep my car clean! (Don’t worry Santa, I realize you have limitations. I have left the idea of a BF off the list this year!) So a cute gym bag perhaps? Something that makes me look good, without trying. Good luck ;)

Thanks for coming a few days late Santa! I understand my “family matters” cut into your vacation time with the Misses, but we needed you to come the night of the 27^th! If you have any questions about my list, I’m trying to sleep upstairs. Feel free to post on my FB wall, I’m sure I’m not sleeping cause I’m on FB.

Merry Christmas Ho Hoer!

Your Favorite Girl on the Nice List

One Less Day