Weighing In

I weighed myself yesterday. I've gained 30lbs this year.

I don't like that number. The weight was way too hard to lose, it's a disappointing. I did it to myself and I have no one else to blame for the damage I've done.

Yesterday was the first time in about 6 months that I've steped foot on a scale. Like so many times before, I was avoiding reality. I knew that I had gained... iI knew that I gained a lot. I was hoping to have a skinny day and weigh myself then, that was the plan. That day, just never came.

I was reading someone's blog yesterday and decided it was time. Time to just do it... Step on the scale and weigh myself. What was I waiting for? If I'm going to start over again, I need to know what the damage was and what I'm dealing with.

weight

I weighed in today, I don't know why, I wasn't expecting a change, and if there was I knew it would be a gain. I've been so busy and stressed lately, I've skipped a lot of meals and eaten less than healthy snacks. There have been days where I didn't eat anything until dinner. We ate out last night. The kids stayed at my mom's and Richard and I celebrated our upcoming 9th wedding anniverary. Crazy to think that we could have possibly been together *that* long, but we have.

We layed in bed late this morning, then got up and showered. Rich weighed in and said he lost 2 lbs. MEN! His weight flucatates a lot though and he isn't really trying to lose weight. This got me to thinking, that I should weigh in. I can't remember the last time I did, it's probably been 3 weeks or so. It's sort of liberating. I had just gotten out of the shower, I was undressed my hair was wet. I hadn't eaten yet so I figured, why not. Besides with my hair being wet, I just *knew* I would weigh heavier, lol. I already had my excuss ready!

So I stepped on the scale and was shocked! I mean shocked, 184 lbs. That was down 1 lbs since my lowest weigh in. I'm greatful I'm able to maintain my weight loss with everything I am dealing with right now.

Weighing in

It's Tuesday, which means I held myself accountable and weighed in today. I didn't really want to because I haven't been able to do much physically right now. But I have cleaned up my eating a little bit and started trying again. Not over indulging but I haven't been strict yet either. I didn't anything would change on the scale, so why look? If anything I figure there would be a gain I ate out last night and had a bowl of ice cream over the weekend.


I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 185! I was shocked. That is back down the 4 lbs from the holidays. It must have been bloat or something because I am just as flabby looking as I was. I can tell my muscle tone just isn't as defined, maybe that is why I lost weight? Who knows?!? But I'm glad to be back at 185 and not closer to 190. Isnt' it funny the scale can have such an effect on your mood. I went from being disappointed before I even stepped on the scale to optomistic and happy, real quick and nothing about my body really changed.

I'm trying to figure out a new exercise schedule. Mariyn goes back to school on Thursday. Amelia goes back tomorrow. Hopefully, I can figure out something -- soon.

Weighing In

I held myself accountable today for all the goodness the holidays had to offer. The treats, coookies, fudge, warm apple cider, fatty fried dinners and even the 3 times I got Starbucks this month ( tall size only :)

I can't remember the last time I stepped on the scale but it's been a while. Judging from my blog, it was back in November. I know I was teetering between 185-188 lbs. I can feel that I've gained some weight, I can see it ever so slightly on my body, face and arms. I can tell by the way my clothes are fitting differently. These are the first signs of weight gain and it's with these that I am going to do something about it. I'm back and re-energized.

Today's weigh in wasn't as bad as I thought it could be 189 lbs. I'm thankful I didn't hit the 190's mark but to be honest, 180's I'm not in love with you. I don't want to be with you any more and I'm ready to move on. It's been good while I'm here but I deserve better and can do better. I think it's time we should see other people. ;-)

Maybe

I haven't really felt the need to blog as much lately. I'm not sure why, maybe I'm slacking but I haven't given up. Maybe I don't feel like I'm doing anything different and thus have nothing to talk about... I've been a little busier lately and maybe just haven't found the time. Maybe I'm just burnt out and need a break. Maybe I'm just feeling a little less motivated and maybe a little too comfortable... maybe?

Whatever the reason is, or combination there of I realize I haven't been as dedicated to blogging or as dedicated to my diet and exercise routine. I'm still doing both but not with the same intensity. Yesterday, weigh in was 187, 2 lbs up from the week before. I'm not at all bothered by it either. Odd.

The last several weeks, I've been going three steps forward on the scale to fall two steps back lately. I'm pretty sure it's water weight as I still have been working out. Yeah I gave into a few more pieces of candy then I normally would but over all I still ate healthy. I still exercised several times last week with intensity. I'm not as focused but I've not abandoned ship.

Monday morning, I did advanced spin at the gym. It felt really good. Monday night, I went running, about 5 miles.

Tuesday I didn't make it to the gym. I had my monthly mom's bible study in the morning, play date in the afternoon for Amelia. Then after school stuff, dinner and my sister came over. Today, I'm painting my hallways and I know I won't make it to my regular class. I'm planning on running tonight again. Thursday and Friday I am going to spend time at my aunts house, my girls don't have school. I really need a break and I always feel so much better after I've spent some time with my aunt and her family.

I'm not sure what is on the agenda for this weekend but hopefully I'll figure out a way to get more activity in. And next week I am going to come back fully recharged. I'm tired of feeling burnt out.... maybe that is my problem?

Tuesday Ramblings

I got my hair cut and styled yesterday. It felt so good. It was getting dry and stringy. I needed the cut. It felt good too.

A few of my friends from grad school got together for dinner. It was nice to get together we hadn't seen each other for a long time. I had my hair done, make up on and I got dressed. My friends were shocked at how much I've changed and kept commenting on how good I look. It felt good. Life is good.

I ate heavier than I had wanted to. Thankfully, Zumara and I went for a good run last night. Our bodies were sore and scratched but it felt good to get them moving again. 4.25 miles according to mapmyrun.com - Not bad at all! Hopefully, it undoes some of the damage from Halloween.

Weigh in today was great 185 lbs! 1 pound less than last week. :) I got up, did body pump and cycle. I was running a little bit late and took my breakfast (oatmeal) to the gym with me. I wanted to make sure I got a ticket to class today, yesterday I got there 10 minutes before the class started and it was already too full.

I struggled to get through body pump as my body is still a little sore. Cycle was great though - I feel so good now that I'm done. I need to get to cleaning today. I'm having people over for a Jewelry party on Thursday night and my house is a mess. So yeah... that's my goal for today!

Hot 100 Update Week 3

79 more days in 2010 and in the Hot 100. Here is where I stand in working towards my goals:

• Lose the 30 lbs

UPDATE: Weigh in today 187 lbs. I'm bloated no change on the scale today. I think the scale will change tomorrow, when the bloat is gone. I weighed less over the weekend.

• Fit into a size 8

UPDATE: Not yet, but getting closer. I will probably meet this goal near the end of the Hot 100.

• Increase my running mileage.

UPDATE: Completed my first 10K race on Saturday 1 hour 5 minutes.


Goals to work on this week:

1. Comp exam (still haven't started :X),
2. organization and investment stuff,
3. get to the gym/exercise in.

I know I have a crazy busy week. Yesterday, we randomly ended up in the bay area for the entire day. I didn't make it to the gym, which was fine because I was still very sore. Today I have bible study and softball stuff tonight. It's going to be a long day.

1st Health-aversary

Oh how my life has changed so much in a year. It's amazing to see how much I've changed, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally. God has truly been by my side this entire journey, giving me the strength and motivation to carry on. All the glory is his.

A year ago today, I made a decision that changed my life. I decided I was tired of being fat, I was tired of just living life and not really loving life. October 5, 2009 I decided that I was going to try to lose weight. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. It was that day, I made a choice -- not to give up. It was that single choice that snowballed and changed my life. I knew I would have good days and bad. I knew that change would not be easy and I knew that there might even be days I back slidded. I decided there and then, not to give up no matter what. I believed that with healthy eating and exercise and dedication I would be healthy again. It would take time, it would be hard but it's harder being fat.

I remember being terrified to go to the gym. I was so scared the girls at the front desk could see it in my face. I told them, I hadn't attempted to work out in 7 years and I was pretty sure I was going to pass out trying. My goal, 20 minutes of cardio, in the cinema where it was dark and safe. I was determined to try. Fortunately, I made it through and built on it. I challenged myself to make it to the gym 5 days a week for 3 weeks. No matter what - and I did.

A little over a year ago, I was lost. Hopeless and felt that I was too fat to do anything about it. I was an emotional mess, always stressed out, always in a hurry, always giving as much as I could to everyone but me. Really spread thin. I was in poor health and had many symptoms of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

I am healthy, my blood pressure and blood sugars are normal. I handle stress so much better. I have more patience with my children and husband. I have a zest for life again and enjoy doing active things. I am more optomistic and do my best to give my worries to God. I work towards my goals feeling in control of life yet I know God is really the one in control.

In the last year, I've had many accomplishments, including:

71 lbs of weight loss. Start weight 258 lbs. Weight today 187 lbs.
Placing 1st in my age division on my first 5K
Ran a total of 4 5K races
Finished a triathlon
Ran 26.5 miles in a week
Commited to a year of lifestyle change
Completed the Gold's Gym Fitness Challenge
and Saturday I will finish my first 10K

And most importantly, I am teaching my children healthy eating habbits, exercise habbits and life style by example. I might not have met all the goals I thought I would this year, but I've made a huge dent in them. In God's timing I'm confident, I will.

Happy Health-aversary!

Accountability

Amelia still had a slight fever this morning, but I can tell this cold is on it's way out. She has more energy and after taking her medication has been off running around the house. As long as she is sick, I won't be able to make it to the gym during the day. I might try to go at night, once Richard is home or I will run again.

Since it's Tuesday, it's my weigh in day. I said that I was going to make sure I was accountable each week with my weigh ins. It's been since September 7th since I had an "official weigh in" at the gym. I have weighed myself a few times at home but not reported them as official. My scale at home is fairly close to the trainers scale but I fluctuate a lot in weight throughout the week. So I've always tried to only use the gym scale as official.

That's not going to stop me today though. Even though I'm not going to the gym this morning because Amelia is sick, I weighed in at home. 189.4 lbs! It's 3lbs less than my last official weigh in but a half a pound heavier than my last unofficial weigh in. Officially it means a loss of 69 lbs since last October. I'm happy with that. I'm hoping for a big loss next Tuesday, October 5th. It marks ONE YEAR since I've started my journey. I'm not where I thought I would be but I'm so much better off than where I was. Praise God for giving me the strength, determination and courage to stick with it for one year!

Weekend + Weigh In

Oye Vey the weekend! I didn't work out at all, which is normal for me. I like to take the weekend off and just be with the family. We're usually do something active but it's a fun activity. This weekend, we ended up going camping. It's hunting season (archery) so Rich has been going hunting every chance he gets and he really wanted us to go along. Reluctantly, I decided to go last minute this weekend. I had a really good time with our family, plus my mom and Tom. Before I headed out of town, I had to get some food. We stopped at Raley's, I bought two packs of cookies, one mixed pack with chocolate chips and sprinkles (they were huge), and the other sugar cookie with frosting - YUM! It probably wasn't the best buy because I was hungry when I went into the store and I thought I could just have a few and eat them while camping and share with the fam. Umm... no I ate half the frosted cookies on the drive up! Pretty much set the pace for the whole weekend - bad eating choices. We took the girls on one long hike while we were there and the rest of the time I hung around camp with the kids. Mariyn got a lot of practice in with her bow and I enjoyed shooting it too. I think we really needed the family time because Rich has been working so much. We got home late Sunday night and ate dinner out.

Monday, the girls and I went shopping, swam and they their pictures taken. I'm really excited to get them back. They had 3 outfit changes and I just know they're going to turn out great. Oh and we had Pizza for dinner last night.

I didn't go to the gym Fri-Monday so yeah it was a really long weekend. I didn't want to go today either (especially after last Tuesday's incident with the instructor). But I did. I knew I would regret it if I didn't. So body pump, cycle and weigh in this morning. I got a great workout my triathlon is only 12 days away! I'm still in need of stuff (wetsuit, shoes and of course money) and trying not to worry. I'm sure it will all workout.

I weighed in today at 192. No loss to report, I wasn't expecting any after I ate as badly as I did this weekend and so carb heavy. Refocusing and I'll do better this week. I'm glad I was able to maintain.

weigh in 8/31

It's the last day of August....Meaning only 19 more days until my 29th birthday (goal date) and 20 more days until my triathlon (biggest physical goal yet). I'm getting very excited about both. Even though I will not be at my goal weight like I had originally wanted, I am still working towards my goal and am in a much better spot physically and health wise than where I was a year ago. I just know the last year of my 20's is going to be great, physically fit, and full of faith.

This morning I got up, made the girls breakfast and lunch and got Mariyn off to school. She wanted to ride her bike to school, so we left a little bit earlier. Then I rode to the gym with Amelia in tow. I had a great morning of body pump and cycle. More issues with the new body pump instructor. She called me out 3 times for deviating from the AB choreography. Seriously, I was ticked! Smoke coming out my ears got up and left angry. I went to get a cycle ticket came back to clean up my weights and get my stuff. Then the teacher had the nerve to confront me. Letting me know it was HER class and that she was trained to give proper technique and I need to follow HER because she had the most training for optimal results. Eghhh... I let her know that I am the member I pay for the class, I choose what I want to do. I followed her the entire class but I found something that has been more effective for my abs than the choreography I've gotten in body pump. I've lost 66 lbs, work out 5 days a week and can do a lot more physically than other people my size. I think **I** know a thing or two about my body. I appreciate imput, don't get me wrong, but obviously I heard her, 3 times, I CHOSE to do my own thing. Just because I'm not a size zero doesn't mean I don't know what I was doing. I am so a none confrontational person and to be honest, last week she did something that struck a nerve with me too but it wasn't directed at me. She took weights from a member because "she lifts more than the other instructors". I'm sorry, the weights are there for us members, instructors are there to instruct it is OUR workout time, our money. I'm not in elementary school getting a grade. I'm going to improve myself for myself. Yeah I was angry so say the least.

In case you were wondering what exercise I was doing that was so devious that I need not only to be called out but lectured after class: Here is a video:



Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to injure myself doing ab work lady, I know my body and I push myself hard everyday. Crunches really aren't cutting it and I want Results.

To change my mood, I went and weighed myself. I had a little chit chat with one of the trainers and another member. He told me I should no longer weigh myself, they always say that. Which I know I can't go off weight alone but the number on the scale is really still too important to me to give up. Next time I go in, I'm going to calculate my body fat. It's been a while since I've done it and I would love to see the change. I told him my story about shopping yesterday and squeezing into a size 8, even though the dress slacks looked like spandex I was able to get them on. The other member said, wow a size 8 that's really small - my thoughts exactly! I think that is going to be a short term goal, to be able to fit into a size 8. Only one size away really, but it seems like a whole different world that I am willing to work for. Even the trainer was impressed, I think because he remembers where I came from. He was the same trainer that did my initial weigh in for the contest and seen me at 233 lbs in a bikini. They watched me weigh in, kinda an odd feeling when someone else is staring at the scale with you. It wasn't as good as my pre-weigh yesterday but I'm still happy. 192, a pound less than last week! 66lbs lost total! And I just know soon I'm going to be able to report an even bigger loss :D

I took the rest of my aggression out on the bike today in cycle. After the class, the instructor asked me, Sara did I give you a good enough workout. She always does but I think I had that built up adrenaline coming out today being taken out on the bike.

Oh and just in case you are a bit curious, last night we ran about 4.5 miles :)

Weigh In 8/24

I ended up getting a good run in last night about 4.5 miles! Then this morning I got up and did body pump and cycle at the gym. There is a new pump teacher, I think it will take some getting used to. I was doing lunges and got the worst pain in my spin near where it meets my tailbone. It felt like fire, and twitching at the same time. Almost as if I was being electrocuted. So weird. Immediately I stopped and just put away my weights. It wasn't a muscular type pain so I'm thinking it was a pinching nerve. I've never felt anything like that before though. I still went on to do cycle but I was very cautious of my back.

Weigh in was good. Officially 193.2 on the trainer's scale. 1 pound down from last week. I cheated yesterday and did a pre-weigh in here at the house, I was 191.4. So I was hoping to keep that number today... yeah that didn't happen but I'm still celebrating the pound loss. I got to thinking, about healthy weight loss. I think I read that you could lose 1% of your body weight each week is a healthy amount. So really for me that would be less than 2 pounds a week. And, you know a loss is a loss all these 1 pound weeks add up. Sure I'd love a 3 pound week or two but soon enough, I'll be at my goal weight. It might not be when I expected it, but it will come.

Oh and it's official on the gym scale - I am now down 65 pounds from when I started October 5, 2009. :)

Weigh In 8/17

Can I just start of by saying my body is SORE! I hurt and I'm liking it. I ended up doing an extra run last night, Zamara and I ran 4.25miles. I think we walked about a half mile of it. My knees were hurting. They've been hurting more lately, I don't know what it is. But I got in something like 7 or 8 miles yesterday if I combined both runs. So I'm not complaining. I can really feel it today though. Amelia and I will be taking a nap this afternoon. We got a new matress and laying in bed is just AMAZING, sleep is AMAZING and thats pretty much all I *WANT* to do... not that I get everything I want but hey,the kid has to nap sometime, right? LOL

Gym was fab. I'm really getting back into the routine again. The girls and I got up early this morning; I dropped Mariyn off to school, then off to the gym Amelia and I went to the gym. Body pump was great but apparently everyone else is getting back into the routine again and classes are filling up quick. I wasn't able to get a ticket for cycle. Which really sucked, so I ended up riding on my own out on the floor. I did one of the video simulation seated bikes after body pump. It works a different part of your leg, I can feel it in my quad. The simulation is really good though, you can totally feel the terrain. I got in an 8 mile bike ride in --on the advanced settings. It took me about 40 minutes. It was the first time I used the seated bike. As soon as I got off the bike, I jumped on to the treadmill. I didn't want to run today, as I ran so much last night and my legs and knees were killing me. But I didn't get in to my cycle class and I need to focus more and more on the triathlon training so I ran. Not far, just enough to get the feel of running after cycling and exercising that long and hard. I ran a half mile (5 minutes). My leggs felt so weird, especially my knees. I'm sure I could have ran more had I not ran so much last night. Have I mentioned lately that I feel so blessed just because I can run? I know I'm not the fastest or the best runner, but I can run. And now I can even run long distances, so amazing to me coming from January when I couldn't run 30 seconds.

Accountability. I know that is something you all are wanting to know. How is the weight loss going right? Last night, I weighed in 193.0 on my home scale. I was happy because that means for the contest between my hubby and I, I'm down 2 lbs he is down 8 (not even trying - ugh)! But I'm kicking it back into high gear. I did my weekly weigh in at the gym, the scale paused at 192.4 lbs, then quickly went to 194 lbs and stayed. I stepped on it again, 3 more times just to make sure I wasn't 192, lol, but yeah it continued to read 194 lbs and I'm ok with that. 64 lbs lost total. No working out last week, no weigh in last week and I'm down 1 pound from 2 weeks ago. I'm focused and driven to get on track again. I see a big loss in my hear future :-)

Holding Steady

I've been holding steady at my current weight for a while. I was optimistic earlier in the week that I was going to have a loss this week because I was running so much. I won't lie, I even snuck on the scale and seen it. LOL Yeah well, the weekend rolled around and my eating was bad, very bad. I really have nothing else to blame but myself and my lack of willpower right now. I'm looking forward to school starting and all the routine that comes with it. I'm hoping my dieting efforts will be better then. I have to admit, I am disappointed with my self and my eating habits. I was so diligent all last school year. Spring and summer came and they just started slipping up. I really wanted to be skinny when the kids went back to school. Yeah, I'm skinnier but really not at my goal where I wanted to be, where I could have been had I eaten better and not made so many excuses.

I did body pump and cycle this morning. My legs are already sore. I want to go for a run tonight but I might just go and do yoga. I've got dinner being made in the crock pot. BBQ Chicken sandwiches. I will be eating mine on an Orowheat thin. I'll probably make corn on the cob or asparagus too.

I know I didn't blog yesterday. I spent the morning finishing up school clothes shopping. The grand total is 10 dresses, 5 shirts, 2 tank tops, 3 skirts, 4 shorts, 5 pairs of leggings and 4 pairs of shoes. Mariyn is done - done done. I didn't think I had bought that much, until I showed my mom today. Mariyn didn't "summer clothes" this year so she needed a lot. She's grown so tall and most of her shorts are too short to wear in public. Plus she goes back to school on Weds. It's still going to be warm here for a long time. Shopping with her was so much fun. She looks cute in absolutely everything. We had very little put backs. Although, I notice this year her style is changing and she likes picking out her own things more than the things I (Uhhmm... her mom) suggests. I'm totally envious of her being able to look cute in everything, even though I am her mother. I can't tell you how many times I've left dressing rooms crying and upset because of the way clothes fit. Or didn't fit is more like it. Shopping with her was fun and easy.

Amelia got a few things too. She starts preschool next Friday. She got more clothes this summer than Mariyn did so she doesn't need much. I got her a couple of dresses. Amelia has been talking so much more this week too. Full sentances. :) and she used the potty for 5 days with no accidents. Today, day 6 she regressed and has had a few. Her behavior has been so good this week. Which made for easy shopping. ha ha Mariyn would not have gotten that much stuff had Amelia been her usual testy self. I'm looking forward to her speech tomorrow and being able to talk about the progress made.

So yeah, besides shopping I did do cardio kick yesterday. I need to add something more to my Monday routine but I'm not really sure what. It's hard to work out late Monday night and early Tuesday morning for my body pump and cycle routine. Must have gotten a good burn. Some days, I really wish I had a body bug just to watch my calories burn. Must be neat.

Oh and I did something spontaneous. I went to Macys.com this weekend and ordered some stuff for Mariyn. Yeah, I know you se Macey's and think expensive but I got great deals! I broke down and ordered this dress in redfor myself too! It was cheap, less than $14.00 and I bought a size Medium. Well have to see when it gets here if it *really* fits. Here is to hoping! I know I was being brave by getting a medium. Red is my favorite color though, so I hope it fits.

Here is to a better weigh in next week :)

7/27 - Weigh In

I'm having all sorts of thoughts about dieting and where I'm going in my weight loss journey. I thought today was going to be a really good weigh in. I feel thinner this week: my clothes are getting bigger and Rich even commented on how much skinnier I look. But at last no change on the scale again, still sitting in at 195.

I looked back at my blog and I really haven't lost much weight at all lately. Very discouraging especially when you consider how much I'm working out. Last week, I got strict with my diet again so I was really hoping to see a change on the scale. I'm going to give it a few more weeks of strict diet and exercise and if nothing changes -- somethings changing. Even though I'm fit, I do not want to be 195lbs. I still have plenty of fat to lose.

I have a friend (real life) who is doing great in her weight loss journey. She is doing a medically managed weight loss program. It sound promising but it's expensive so I'm going to look into all my options if and only IF I can't get past this plateau naturally on my own.

I got up and did body pump and cycle. We were running late so I forgot to eat breakfast. Not smart. I picked up the girls breakfast from MacDonalds and that is when I realized I hadn't eaten myself. They have these fruit smoothies. I figured it sounded healthy enough and so I got myself one. Not even half way through body pump I had the jitters and was feeling light headed. The smoothie wasn't cutting it nutritionally to get me through my needs. After body pump, I grabbed a protein bar ($4.30) to eat before cycle. Crazy price I know but I felt so much better and more alert. The gym is looking to train body pump instructors, I'm thinking about it. It just might be a good fit for me. :)


ETA: Rich didn't have to work tonight and so I decided to run again tonight (in addition to the regular Tuesday morning body pump and cycle). I didn't want to over do it because I ran so much yesterday, but I got in another 4 miles running outside tonight! Woo Woo

Killer workout - weigh in

I'm not sure what it was but today was killer. There was a sub in body pump today and she wasn't as hard as Dana. Still I pushed myself to lift heavy weights but when doing so I noticed that my body felt very fatigued. What was I doing wrong? Am I doing something different I wondered? At certain points in the routine, I really felt dizzy and light headed as if I was going to pass out. So I put the weights down and took a break as needed. The only things I could come up with that were really different was A) I ran 3 miles after 9 pm last night and B) I had a light dinner - chicken salad and my regular protein shake for breakfast. I really think my body probably burnt off dinner quickly and the protein shake wasn't enough to get me through the fatigue and through the class. I'm always careful about what I have for breakfast Tuesday morning because I don't want to weigh in with a full tummy. It's just not fair in my eyes. Luckily, I brought a nectarine with me today and I had that between classes. I perked up my energy levels a lot and took away the dizziness.

Also between classes, I weighed in. I have about 10-15 minutes between classes that I use the restroom, weigh in, check on the kids and set up my bike. Today, I weighed in at 195 on the trainers scale! Back to 195 so a pound down from last week! As long as if I stay good with my foods, I should be losing again, in no time. Weigh in today proved to me how much my at home scale fluctuates. I know I didn't gain 2 lbs yesterday. Just my scale is inconsistent and well, my weight probably fluctuates too. Here is to losing more next week!!!

Cycle was very challenging today as well, which is why I thought maybe the running late last night wasn't enough time for my body to fully recover. I think running is something I can add to my routine at night, when I can, it will just take a couple of weeks for my body to adjust and not feel so tired in the morning. Guess we will see. Proper nutrition is really important though. I know if i exert my body that way again, I'll have to treat it better in the morning with a better breakfast.


I'm on track with my foods. Protein shake for breakfast, nectarine for snack, tuna sandwich on Orowheat thin with a side of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries for lunch. I think we're either going to have chicken kabobs for dinner or a bison burger. Not sure, but I know it will be healthy.

Weigh In 7-13

Accountability, right? That's why I weigh in every Tuesday. I knew today wasn't going to be a great weigh in day. I had a more active vacation but it was just that, a vacation. I ate a bit more than I should have, birthday cake, anyone? With that said, I'm getting back on track with my diet and I didn't do as bad as I thought. Today's weigh in 196.1, still not my lowest but I'm almost back there and just about the same (a tad less) than last week. So not bad at all. Next week will be a true loss! I know it!

Body pump today was killer and I do mean killer. I've been doing a lot of weight - enough that the instructor called attention to me and said we all should be lifting heavy like me. I was actually lifting more than her and almost everyone else today. One other person was lifting the same as me, and I think it was sort of a competition to keep up. I didn't start that way, I was just lifting my weights and I looked behind me and my gym friend responded, "Don't worry, I'm gonna keep up!". Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. HaHA Cycle was rough too. Well, maybe not so much on it's own BUT combined with pump it was HARD! I was shaking and exhausted when class was over.

Amelia's appointment went great. The speech pathologist agreed Amelia has a verbal delay in language acquisition. Probably a year or so behind, like I thought. We will be getting the report results next week AND her insurance has already approved 6 sessions. Not a lot but it's getting us started and it's progress. She said she usually doesn't have a hard time getting insurance to approve more visits either. Most importantly, Amelia is getting services she NEEDS. We start speech therapy next week and her official diagnosis and report will be ready then.

Realistic Weight loss

I happened to stumble across this article that talked about the biggest loser yesterday. Let me start off by saying I've never watched a full episode of the biggest loser, but have seen bits and pieces. I don't watch much TV at all, we don't have cable or any network television. So I've only seen it in passing or other people's homes but I've seen it enough to know that contestants lose an insane amount of weight in a VERY short period of time. It seems like the biggest loser is a topic of conversation anytime someone talks about weight loss (mine, theirs, products, etc).

My original goal was to lose 100lbs. I'm over half way to meeting my goal. Originally, I wanted to be done dieting by my birthday in September. Almost a year since I started going back to the gym. That is still my goal and at first, I was on track losing about 10 lbs a month. Since April, my weight loss hasn't been as rapid. I'm sustaining my weight losing here and there and having an active and healthy life style. I knew I would eventually struggle with the weight loss and felt that time period would be when warmer weather hit. I love summer and I love my family. Dieting and Exercising take up a lot of time, money and planning. It's hard to diet and enjoy simple pleasures like BBQ with your family. I still exercise and have been maintaining my weight, that is not hard. It's losing weight that is harder. Losing weight is hard anytime because let's face it. It's easy to sabotage, easy to fall into old habits and there is a reason most people gain weight. I really enjoy food. I eat when I'm emo, I eat when I'm gathering with family and friends, I gained so much weight because I didn't eat healthy and I didn't exercise. My lifestyle was out of control. I've since found balance.

My goal is still to lose 100 lbs by the middle of September. Which is basically 35 more lbs in 10 weeks. That's 3.5lbs per week, a healthy amount BUT not what I've been losing for the last couple of months. If I dedicated and progressing like I was, this goal would be attainable. I'll be happy even if I'm close to the 100lbs mark, as long as if it all comes off. Once I hit 158, I will re-evaluate my goals. I may decide to maintain, I may decide to lose. I don't want FAST weight loss, I want realistic maintainable weight loss. I like that my body is recouping from the years of abuse I put it through. My skin isn't flabby. I have stretch marks, but they too are fading. The human body is really one of God's most fascinating creations. I am so blessed that he is allowing me to lose this weight and become a better me despite the abuse I've done to my body.

Let me be clear, healthy is a life style. There will be no magic number on the scale that I am going to see and think, oh ok, I don't have to go to the gym anymore, I can eat as much as I want. I know that I will always have to balance calories in and calories out. I will always have to be mindful of my choices but these healthier choices are becoming more and more natural to me. Otherwise, I too would gain back the weight. It really isn't how much weight you lose but how well you maintain what you've lost. That to me would make you the biggest loser.


FYI: Weigh in today 196. Down 2lbs from last week, still up 1lbs from my 2 weeks ago. Things that I see hindering my progress: snacking (camping, holiday, bbq foods left over), less time at the gym because of holidays and camping. We're going camping again this week. My plan to combat these hurdles: better food planning and activities outside of the gym. Friday is MAriyn's birthday - she asked to go camping in Yosemite - so we're planning on taking her. Shhhh.... it's a secret!

Menstruation and Weigh in

I got up early this morning to get to body pump and cycle on time, which is always difficult for me. Class starts at 8:30 am but I have to be there by 8 in order to get a ticket. Not hard for most people, but for me it's a challenge. Plus it being summer the kids are used to sleeping in. And to be honest, I wanted to sleep in today too.

Menstruation. It's a problem I normally don't deal with. I have a Mirena IUD and have only gotten maybe 3 periods since I delivered Amelia. And really, I don't mind! When I do get one, they're very very light. Nothing really bothersome usually a day or two and only noticeable when I go to the restroom. I noticed I started my period the other day (Thurs or Friday) didn't think anything of it. Today though, it's heavier than normal. Still not heavy but heavy for me and cramping. Oh my... the problems women deal with. I'm so glad I normally don't deal with this. I wonder if this is why I've had such a sweet tooth lately. As I type, I'm digging into Ben and Jerry's fro yo.

Great news! I noticed in body pump today my wrist is no longer hurting. My right wrist has been bothering me for months. I've especially had to baby it in body pump. Today it didn't hurt a bit. I noticed it is a lot weaker than my left wrist (because I had to baby it I'm sure). I didnt' do body pump at all last week and I bet it gave it time to heal. Must have been what I needed. :)

Tuesday is weigh in day! I ate bad this weekend, I know. Plus I'm dealing with the period thing. At first I thought maybe I won't weigh in today. But then I decided I should. Keep myself honest and accountable. I weighed in today at 195.2 I don't remember the tenths of a pound I was last week. Just that it said 195. I'm pretty sure it is less than last week but not by much. Acceptable to me because of everything else: eating badly this weekend, not going to the gym yesterday, eating fast food last night, menstruation. Even with all that, I maintained. Next week, I better have a loss again ;-) I can't wait to get into the 180's. :D

Good Weigh in

Groggy, I got out of bed this morning and made my way to the bathroom. I had to go pee so bad, I was virtually sleep walking. Rich was getting ready for work and I was trying to make my way back to bed. He put his arm around me and said, you feel skinnier today. It was then I knew I was going to have a good weigh in day. It was then, that I realized all my gym clothes were still in the washing machine and I wasn't going to make it to body pump in time.

I put the clothes in the dryer and was able to make it to cycle barely in time. We had a new RPM track and the music was pumpin. After cycle, I weighed in. I took of my shoes, stepped on the trainer scale, 195! 3lbs loss last week! That's the biggest I've had in a while. 63lbs gone F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!! Wooo Hooo... Wooo Hooo...

After weigh in, I ran a mile on the tready. I was able to move up the speed today too. I've been gradually trying to increase my time and speed running. I want to get to 6.0 on the treadmill. Today, I got up to 5.5 running no problem. I've heard running gets easier once you've hit that 10 minute mile mark. I don't know about that but I want to be faster and I need to get used to the transition from cycle to running if I am going to be prepared for the triathlon in Sept. I know September sounds so far away but it will be here sooner than I expect and I want to be prepared to do my best.

It's been warm lately so I'll probably take the girls swimming this afternoon. Hopefully get some laps in the pool. A little backwards kind of training but hey whatever works, right?