This Week

Man.....I feel like my bandwagon is losing steam. I need to regroup! Remember why I started on this journey. I was doing so well. Work is so draining, but I need to reprioritize.....

New Work Scedule

So I was told it was possible I will work a new work schedule to help with the increase business. So I will work a split 3rd-1st shift if it pans out....So like 5am until 3pm. I would actually prefer this more as Eddie goes into work around 3am so maybe I cans see him more.

I have been really bad nutritionally this weekend =/

Stress will do that to you. That and the devil time. I am in the mood to go to the gym now but mine closes at 8pm on Sundays....Maybe I will do some of those evil mountain climbers. Laurie had me do some crawl push ups which is a great total body workout that I am definitely going to add to my routine.

I have found a group of people that will start working out with me so I know it will encourage me to go. I have been so blah about it lately. I am sure it is because I have starting working 70 hours a week, but I do not want this to go in the way side......

I think I am going to work on a schedule. I think it will help =)

Lazy

So I know I have been super lazy about updating this thing...

Basically work is really starting to pick up. I have enough time to run from work to the gym. It is quite hectic. I am still squeezing my cardio in tho.

Today I got a great deal on the meal replace protein bars I eat on the way back form the gym. They were .70 cents a piece and I used a $4 off of $20 dollar coupon and did it twice so I got tons. All kinds of flavors. I am really excited about it. They are the EAS and the Met-RX kinds. The gym really pushes the Met-RX ones. They sell them for like 3.49 so I feel like I saved super amounts.

Laurie is back and is kicking my ass. It feels so good. The gym bought some new equipment and I am excited to try it out. I have been sticking to the Precor Amp for my cardio, but I feel like I will start to branch out shortly.

People who see me on a normal basis are saying it looks like I lost more weight. I haven't; however, I am excited to see how the inches are when we take out monthly measurements.

Well good night my readers. I promise to try to be better about posting.

SORE!

OMG, so as you know Laurie is out of town and so I am training with "Ox". I can barely move. It is a good sore. My ankle is holding up; however, everything on me hurts.....concluding with the ass. I can't even sit down without remembering how much I hurt.

I took a brand new class. It was really fun and there were tons of people. I am really excited. My gym bought some more gyms and are remodeling them. One of them has a pool. I cannot wait to swim laps and take a water aerobic class.

Trainer is on Vacation

So I will be working out the next few days at 5:30 AM....I am thinking this will jumpstart my morning workouts. I am really excited about working with someone else while she is gone.

My ankle is still having problems and has now seriously slowed me down. I skipped the gym yesterday and Thursday because it was really swollen. It doesn't really hurt and then I work out and it is the size of a grapefruit and does even fit into my sneaker. So I do not know. The gym got some new equipment and I am really excited to try it.

6 month self Evaluation

Well. I am well into my 7th month and I was thinking of making my evaluation of myself.

I will say I am pretty proud of myself for keeping up with the gym. I still go almost daily and do solid workouts.

I wanted to be further in my transformation; however, I can see the change and am happy.

I figure I am going to set some goals for this coming 6 months.

1) Continue going to the gym =)
2) Go to the doctor and get a physical. (It is necessary, but I have been avoiding it)
3) Do to a registered dietitian and maybe some healthy cooking classes =)
4) Add some outdoors exercises to my routine.

I think that is a pretty solid list. Doable and will add variety.

Bad Ankle...Boo =(

So I overextended my ankle in the boot camp class. It swelled the size of a grapefruit. I have been hobbling since Friday. I really haven't done much in the way of exercise. I did some arms and abs. I am going to see how I feel tomorrow.

They bought some new machines at the gym so I am really excited about trying them when I get better.

Well....

I was waiting to post because I wanted to update you guys with a picture of Ted (my competition); however, my trainer has been super busy and hasn't got on that. She said that he is busting his ass off. I feel like I am working hard.

So on a non New Year's Resolution note, I took a training class that work wanted me to take. It was very interesting and now I can ship hazardous materials. After learning all about them, man, do I think there should be more training than that. Pretty much, if I screw up I can get arrested. It is a pretty big deal. This other girl at work training expires, so they just trained me. It is pretty cool and will follow me if I get laid off. Saves me several hundred dollars =)

I am so sore from the gym. I met this girl and I think she could potentially be a friend...not necessarily a gym buddy. That really excites me since the friend department has been lacking. I do realize that when I get focused on things I tend to let things slide.

I am going to a wedding Saturday so that should be fun.

Oh well, long day tomorrow...

Challenge: Me vs, The Other Guy

So my personal trainer has this guy that sees her everyday that I apparently complain like. She is always tell me. "Teddles says that", "Teddles does that", etc... So I randomly told her I was going to beat him as her success story. I mean her clients look great, but she doesn't have a before and after with someone trying to lose a serious number.

Well she apparently told Ted that I challenged him and now we are racing to get in shape. I have never met the guy. I facebooked him so he is my friend and we already have exchanged smack. I think this will be a lot of fun! The loser will still lose weight and get in shape.

She took my before pictures. I was pretty horrified. It is amazing even though I have lost about 40 pounds what my body still looks like. The stretch marks are probably here for keeps.

So she wanted to know my long term goals for this competition. (My trainer that is) I decided I wanted to wear a pair of size 7 jeans. I was a size 7 in high school for a brief time (I lost 60 pounds for some lunatic reason and I could just get in them). I didn't really pick a weight because lately even though I haven't lost any weight I am losing inches. I am so close to dropping the size so I am realizing weight isn't everything.

I really have to focus on my nutirition. I have been keeping track and honestly trying to give this a whirl. I am eating so many carbs. I never realized how prevelant they really are. Grits have 40 g a serving. Pineapple is super high too. I am trying to balance.

I will see about getting a picture of "The Other Guy" so can scope the competition.

Mini Vaca

So the reason I have been slack about updating is I went on a mini vaca with my husband. It was wonderful. It actually wasn't hard at all eating responsibly. I did pretty well. I even exercised. I am quite proud. We were more active than we had been in the past. I am very happy!

So I got measured today by my personal trainer. Although I only lost 2 pounds last month, I lost a TON of inches!

2 off of my waist
2 off of my hips
2 off of my shoulders
1.75 off of my right bicep
.5 off of my right thigh


I am really happy with that. I am on the verge of dropping the next size. I can wear some clothes in the smaller size. I am excited. I promise I will post more as I progress; however, I felt that the vacation was what I needed to recharge.

Nutrition is the KEY

So I was given a plan to follow. That sounds so easy but it is difficult. I find it a lot of fum looking at all the ways I can make my caloric intake with different foods.

It is VERY specific with my fats and carbs. I find myself forcing myself to eat but I am not hungry. I found a great website "www.fitday.com" where you can enter everything and watch how you are doing. Like today I didn't realize I ate so much fat. I actually mainly came from my eggs; however, I find myself looking closer at the labels at the vitamin content.

I am going to try to put together a weekly menu. I hear so many people are successful. I think it will be a great way to add variety. I like the protein smoothies I have been making for breakfast. I have been hard boiling eggs on Sunday for the week for a snack with some almonds. What kind of menus do you plan?

I haven't tried to eat out on this I am sure it will be hard. We are going to Wilmington this weekend and it think this will be a great testament to what I am doing.

Another Week

Man, I thought of posting on this like 5 million times but I am sorry I have been slacking. This week has been a tough week.

Workwise, it has been stressful. This girl at work last week left and made a derogatory comment in exasperation and a manger was standing on the other side of the wall and had heard it. So the manager's had to decided to talk to her about it and asked me some harmless questions. She kinda was transferred there after all the laying off the beginning of the job and she had awhile back. I was asked to make sure she got trained and like when things came up managers-type people would have me remind her how to do it. So he wanted to know like how she was doing etc. Nothing major. Well she completely has lost it. She has stopped talking to me. I got a talking to with a manager. Stressful.

Workout wise- I have gone sporadically this week. I met with Laurie 3x. We went over my nutrition. I have to start a food journal. We worked legs on Wed. and then I went to boot camp. Thursday I could barely walk. It was so painful! Arms last night and more bootcamp. I feel great. I haven't lost any weight, but I am positive I am losing inches. My clothes are not fitting the same way. Lately, tons of people say it looks like I have lost weight.

Very encouraging.

Nutrionally- I have had an solid week. I am looking for a website that is free that I can just upload what I eat that way. I will never actually write it down.

I hope you all are doing well!

Wow Been awhile

Hey guys!

So this week has been so busy at work. I have managed to sneak into the gym everyday this week. Met up with Laurie one day and she kicked my tail. It felt great =) Went to bootcamp 2x and even got Eddie to come along.

The few big things to note is that I woke up last night screaming because I was cramping. I have never felt such pain. I was hardly able to walk.

The other big thing is I have started to make protein shakes for my husband and me. It is so much fun to full around with all the flavors. I already have some favorites! I make them low to no fat which is good (non fat yogurts, fruits, ice), instead of the higher fat options (milk, peanut butter, etc.).

This week's weigh in I weighed the same as last week. I feel like that is fine since it is my devil time. I feel like I am getting in better shape! I am consistently running on a regular basis. The cross trainer is getting trained. I am even started to look toned =)

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers.

Personal Training

So Eddie did it. He sprung for getting me a years worth of personal training with Laurie. Yay! So I will not disappoint him at all! This is bringing me a renewed hope. I cannot wait to get started =)

So I have had a pretty bad cold. I went the gym anyways and took it really easy. An hour on the treadmill with my heart rate at 120 today. I did a crazy ab workout today. I am so proud of myself. I am thinking of having Eddie taking 6 month pictures. Then in maybe Oct. taking some more.

So if anyone needs a babysitter or dog sitter or something- I am your gal.

Losing Weight is like Childbirth

• Lots of screaming, crying and cussing along the way.
• It’s a process that feels like is never going to end.
• There’s a voice telling you “Push! Push!”
• Doctors think they have all the answers, but people have been doing it without them for centuries.
• You’ll soon have a bunch of clothes that are too big for you.
• There are a million books on the subject.
• It was more fun to get in the situation you’re in than to get out of it.
• Spouse thinks they know what you’re going through but they don’t.
• It helps if you’ve got someone there to lend you support.
• Drugs are optional.
• If you’re healthy, there’s no reason you can’t do it.
• There’s quite a bit of labor involved.
• It’s probably the most important thing you’ll ever do.
• It’s hard to explain to your kids.
• It’s a real pain in the bottom.
• If all goes well, a brand new life emerges.

News Flash: I have lost 2 pounds!!!!!!!!

Man that feels so good! I am so excited. I met this boxer yesterday. I was convinced him to take the boot camp class that I love. He took it and told me he had never sweated so hard. It is such a great class. My arms are getting so toned =) There is a comment box at the gym. The owner just added ~45k in equipment. I was going to suggest another night of boot camp. So I could go like MWF at 8:30 pm. I know tons of other people that would go.

Today I have many plans, I would love to go to the gym and get one the crosstrainer for an hour and go to step class with Rebecca. It should be great fun.

My mommy is in town so I am going to go hang out with her afterward. yay!

Have a great day. Keep hydrated!

Positiveness!

So I was told I focus on the negative so today I am going to post only positive things!

1) I am proud that I have lost 35 pounds.

2) I am happy that I have encouraged several people I know to join in on getting healthy.

3) I :heart: boot camp and CJ (the old military drill Sargent). He is whipping me into shape. He is going to let me sit in on his boxing classes =)

4) I love Laurie. My personal trainer. I cannot afford to go and she is going to give me a few free sessions until I figure out if I am going to get laid off. Eddie even agreed to pay for it if I keep my job!

5) I can do a pull up with only 50 pounds of help. So if I weighed 50 pounds lighter I could do a pull up. (I could only do 1 pullup at 90 pounds 3 weeks ago) I can do pushups again. I did a set of 50 the other night and I was astonished that I had come so far.

6) I am happy that I can jog/walk/run a 5K. I know it wasn't a great time, but I went from nothing to 30-40 min. of jogging.

7) I am honestly amazed that I actually am getting toned arms.

8) I am getting 1-2 comments a week that I am losing weight and looking better. That is super exciting.

9) I have found food that was something I wouldn't typically eat but I am experimenting with since I am trying to eat better. Who knew Mussels were SOOOOOOOO yummy!!

10) I am happy for whomever is reading this right now! Thank you for being my support. Even in your silence, I know you are there.

I also am happy that I have met Gwen, Phil, Rebecca, and all the others at the gym! See you guys tomorrow =)

Crosstraining

So I was told crosstraining can help you when you are in a plateau. I am not sure what kind of crosstraining I should include.

So today I wrote a list of different activities I would like to start adding to my regimen.

Swimming- solid choice I think....costs money =/

Biking- I absolutely hate it....I am might try the new spin class and just knock it out

Classes- there are about 35 classes at the gym a week. I am thinking of doing more rotations to keep it fun and interesting

Hiking- I love to hike a bit and there is a great park down the street; however, it is already 95 and humid as all get out.

Rock climbing wall- I heard of a place down the street that does this. I was thinking of using that for a date night with my husband. I think it is my turn to pick next.

Anyone have more suggestions? I do not want to be stuck in the same rigmarole.

Yoga!

So I am really trying to give this yoga thing a chance, or I call it the falling over class. My sister came with me yesterday. She took a semester in Yoga for her PE requirement and she was doing so great. Me, on the other hand, was a wobbly mess.

The teacher was terrific, offering words of encouragement. I am going to continue taking this class, not to much for me losing weight, but for balance and core strength.

I am still not losing weight. I feel like I am on the verge of giving up. I am now going to the gym about 13 hours a week and eating pretty well (I have the occasional twizzler) I am pretty mixed.

It might be the stress from work. I hear stress makes it hard to lose weight. They have been laying people off from work and I half assed looking for another one, and there really isn't much out there. Our unemployment is higher than the national average. Anyways, my husband thinks I should have a full physcial and see if my body is behaving itself. I mean the first 35 pounds were so easy. It should have lost SOMETHING in the last 6 weeks.

As a last resort, I am considering adding an hour of cardio at 6am to see if that helps.

Oh well, I will try not to give up yet!

Great Story

I thought I had to share!

I went to the gym tonight. It is bring a friend week. So I took my roommate. I walked on the treadmill for an hour and then went to my boot camp class. I convinced him to go with me. He ended up puking after 10 min.

I am pretty proud of myself. I feel like I can do a better job getting through the class. I am not stopping as much as I was before. Maybe a sign I am getting into shape?

I cannot believe I have been working out so much and have not gone anywhere shapewise. I would have thought I would have been stronger.

Wow

I am so out of shape. I am trying super hard to lose some weight. I feel like I am not going anywhere.

Last night I did boot camp. My goal in that class is to try to finish the whole class without stopping. She said most people take about 6 weeks. So 5 weeks is a good goal for that. I did Yoga tonight. It was horrible. I might get this at sometime. I am so uncoordinated! Tonight was personal training. She kicked my ass.

I would really like to keep up meeting her 2X a week. I just can't afford it I do not think. I haven't lost ANY weight in weeks. I really want to start going down. My body just keeps changing shape. For example, My bra size is a 38 H.....OMG am I a cow?!!

Tomorrow is a key weigh in day. I really need to get moving in the right direction. I want so badly to be less than 200 pounds!

Good luck on your weigh ins!

What a workout!

So I took my first step class today. OMG it was super fast paced and I had no clue what was going on! Everyone made it look so easy. I tried to hang with it.

Then I took a Yoga Class. I felt super awkward and kept falling over! So I will probably keep taking those just to keep my balance getting better.

Then I went to a personal training session. She kicked my ass and she seemed really cool. Unfortunately, layoffs have hit my company and although I survived the first one, I may not survive next time. So after I use this mini session amount. I will probably have to start seriously saving.

We talked exercise plan. So it is 50-75 min. on the elliptical/cross trainer 5 days a week. 4 days of 40 min of weight lifting. +3 classes a week. I told myself I will do what she says while she is my trainer. I will give her the benefit of a doubt. So here I go.

Quick Update

So my Internet has been out since Friday night. As you know I went to boot camp Friday. I did an assessment on Sat. and signed up for personal training once a week on Mondays for a month to see how it is and it affects me. It will def. be a hard sell to my husband.

I tried a new class today. Body Combat. It completely wore me out. I will update tomorrow more tomorrow. I am taking a step class at 6pm & personal training at 8:30.

Have a good Monday!

My First Group Class

Last night was amazing. I am so glad I went. I sweated and burned and of course, met some people. The class itself was hard. I think I over exerted myself. I hurt all over. I went to the gym tonight and walked only 2 miles. Then I stretched on the True Stretch for 30 min. I feel much better. There is another boot camp tomorrow. I haven't decided if I am going. I will have to see how sore I am. I do not want to injure myself.

I have a personal training appt. on Sat - another assessment. I am really ready to start making big strides. I will weigh less than 200 pounds by the end of June. Tomorrow is my last weigh in for May. I didn't make huge progress this month but am still not only losing weight, I am still going to the gym.

I think I am really going to be doing this for the long haul.

Luck on your weigh ins!

I am going to do it

I am taking a boot camp class today at 8:45 pm. That is in one hour. I know if I post I will do it. I will then see how I feel on trying to complete other things for the work out.

I will update tomorrow on how the class was. I hope it is fun and I meet people. I know that will encourage me to keep going.

Weekend Activites

Well I did tons this weekend

I hiked and went to the gym. I have been working on my diet and pull ups. I have improved. I have 7 more weeks to be able to do a pull up on my body weight. I can do 1 at 75 pounds or 5 at 90 so long way to go.

A lot of people have started to notice that I have lost some weight. This is encouraging me to continue to work hard on it. I am going to take a class this week from the gym if it kills me. MY body aches all the time. I just want it to stop being so sore =/ One day I will be in great shape.

I hope you are all doing well in your quest.

3 Pounds!!

I lost 3 pounds =) I am so excited. I get to eat more and lose weight. Bob's challenge this weekend is 8 hours of cardio. So I am def. going to do this. I am almost 1/3 done. So here comes the challenging 1/3. It is going to super suck but in another 33 pounds you will def. see a difference in me.

I WANT TO FINALLY BREAK 200 POUNDS!

One last workout before the weekly weigh in

Man did I work out!

I ellipticaled (ok I know it isn't a verb) for 40 min and then I walked/jogged 6 miles. Man does my body hate me. Tomorrow is my weigh in and I haven't lost any weight for 3 weeks. I have been trying to eat at my basal metabolic rate like they have said for optimum weight loss. I will say I have WAAAAAAAY more energy.

I was told that I already have too much muscle mass to weigh the goal weight I want. So I will have to lean up if I want to be slimmer. I figure after I lose another 50 pounds we will see what I look like and how it is going.

I keep going to the grocery store. I want food but I am only buying what I am allowed to eat. It is bad. I go and buy good things. I seriously have enough for a 3rd world country. I have fruit and veggies. Fiber yogurt, fiber bars, canned chicken breast and low sugar juice for the honey line the pantry. Well at least now I have tons of good food for me to choose from.

Tired =/

Well, I can definitely say I am super sore. I did another evaluation. It was a continuation where they hooked me up to the electrodes and got my body fat percentage and lean mass.

It was interesting to note that, my lean mass is 142.2 pounds and I am retaining water. I burn 1877.2 calories just being me and 2263.4 if I am normally going around my daily business. I was told to every day hit the resting metabolic calories. That way my body won't think it is starving myself. I cannot believe how hard it is. I was eating between 1200-1500. 600 calories is like a whole meal.

I will go back in like 8 weeks and they will see how I am doing and go over my food. I am thinking about seeing if my sis wants to run the 1/2 marathon this Nov. It might be fun to train towards a goal.

Attention!

I just ran a 5K. Oh my God.

Apparently, I have been getting up to running. It wasn't very fast. I walked .25 of a mile and then I decided to try to run 1.5 miles. After I did it, I was like I bet I can make it to 2 miles. I walked .25 of a mile and then ran the rest.

So my time was 30:35 seconds. I know not great but a solid starting point. That means I averaged around 6 miles an hour. So now I am going to try to actually start this jogging/running thing every other day. After a month of doing it, I am going to do this! For real.

There is the City of the Oaks Marathon Nov. 1. with a 6 hour time limit. So 4.5 miles an hour. If you can run 30 min. non stop you should be able to use that program to run the marathon.

I am going to think about this seriously.

Update:

So I am currently at 223. Same as I have been for weeks, however; I stopped to talk with a nutritionist.

This is what I need to be eating:

Fiber + protein
snack: fruit + yogurt
Lunch: carb, protein, veggie
snack: nuts

after 4pm no sugar or carb

dinner: protein and veggie
after dinner snack: whatever as long as it is not sugar


He also said it is more important to eat six times and if you fall off the wagon a little it is ok. I feel much more confident in this. We will see how I do.

I did a walk run yesterday and that new Precor machine. I feel very sore in a good way =)

On the road again

So this week, I found out my gym membership expired. I went to a few different gyms looking at price and stuff. We ended up joining Rapid Fitness. It costs me 24 dollars a month. They have group fitness, yoga, pilates, a hugs cardio and weight room space, and I even get some personal training and assessment when I sign up.

I signed up for my first assessment tonight. We will see how it goes. I do not like their elliptical machines. Usually, the ones I used has the ball in the back and these are in the front so I have a whole new motion. They have two Precor Amt. They are amazing!
You get a super work out on them. I might start with ~ 20 min a day on them. You start stairstepping and then you can elliptical. It is all powered with your legs. Mine are burning from just 10 min.

After my assessment tonight, I am going to sign up for my free personal training. I feel like I am definitely back on track. I haven't lost any weight for a while, but I haven't gained.

SO HERE IT GOES!

OMG

What a week.

So I go to the gym and my fob doesn't work apparently they turned off my membership and say I am done. I went in to talk to them and there is nothing they can/will do until the manager gets back. It has been pouring here so I haven't really done anything.

I walked a few miles =/ There is a superwalmart down the street. I was thinking of walking laps around the inside. I don't know.....

It is suppose to be sunny tomorrow. I am thinking of getting a great walk in and getting back on tract. I am the same weight. This is it. I need to lose it. I am getting so discouraged!

Updates!

So I am doing well with my weekly goals. I have been to the gym 2X. I have done Bob's challenges and I am drinking water. Now I need to eat better!

Calorie Update: 2,150/73,500

So OMG I think I might have picked a number I cannot reach this month. So I did 1000 calories Sun & Mon. It took about 2 hours on machines. I did some additional weight lifting, but I didn't look up those calories. I really feel it would take a serious commitment to make this goal. So I live about 3.5 miles from work. I am thinking of adding walking to and from work 2-4 times a week to my plan to get more calories burned. Should I revise the number? Maybe I need to do something this drastic as I haven't lost weight in the last few weeks.

I really need to focus on what I am eating! My real goal this month is to lose 12 pounds. 210. OMG I haven't been at that weight in so long! I am going to call the doctor and see if I can get into a nutritionist.

Biggest Loser: Couples tomight!

This Week and goals!

So my weight in was the same. I feel like I look smaller finally. I am really starting to get comments. I am now smaller than I have been in 4 years. The next landmark will be 190 pounds. I was there 7 years ago. That is my next focus.

This week goals are to do all of Bob Harper's challenges to completion.
Go to the gym at least 5 times.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water everyday.

Sometimes, I feel so alone in the journey. I was reading the 5 success to a diet. The first one is to surround yourself with a whole bunch of people doing the same thing. Next week, my goal is to be below 220 pounds no matter what. today I weight 221 which is 1.5 pounds less than I did officially Friday. So I really need to lose another 1.5 pounds.

I have to buy this bridesmaid dress on June 6. 5 more weeks. I really want to weight less than 200 pounds or at least be closer. That is about 1.5 sizes. I didn't really lose any weight in April. maybe 6 pounds. So I have to burn 73,500 calories to burn off 21 pounds at 3500 calories in a pounds. So from now into June I will keep track and post.


Today I have not exercised yest so I am at 0/73,500.

Blurpee

Such a funny sounding word. So today;s challenge is to do 50-100 and then 50 pushups. If you do not know what this is, check it out on youtube. OMG I can't move! I have made it to 60 in 6 sets of 10 and then I did 30 pushups.

I feel so nauseated! I was going to go to the gym afterwards. Try to do 10. The jumping the push up part.

I am going to hit the shower. I will do the last 40 tomorrow.

A week already!

Man it sure didn't feel as if a week went by.

I am so busy at work, but I did get my workouts in last week!
Mon. Cardio & Weights
Tues.- Cardio & Squats
Wed. - weights
THurs- Rest
Fri.- This is the best one. I asked my husband to go for a walk with me. It was gorgeous outside so he said ok...We went to the local park. He was like lets take a trail and we ended up hiking 7.5 miles. OMG I am still sore.

Sat.- I was going to take a break since I hurt so much but I still did a 2-mile speed walk just to stretch.

In general, I feel like this was a successful week. I haven't updated my official weight but I am down. YAY!! I have been trying to do Bob's challenges daily. I have missed a couple but I am keeping track of what I owe and when I am at work I will do my lounges.

I hope you are are having a successful week!

A brand new Monday

Well exercise wise, this is a brand new week. I feel great. I busted my ass at the gym tonight.

I did the run/walk a min. thing again tonight. I ended up running that 1.5 mile a min faster than last month. I was a little surprised. I like unexpected improvements like that. I then jumped on the elliptical for a little over an hour. I was busting tail and it felt great.

Bob's challenge for today was these 50 reps of 3 chest exercises. I didn't really know how to do two of them so I did the one I knew and went to the gym and did 2 of the chest machines at a reasonable weight 60x. I am excited about my arms, I think I see my first definition. =) Another unexpected surprise.

Ok now the bad news............
The reason I am in my slump is my food.

So today
3X slimfast meal bars (570 calories)
pineapple (~300 calories)
1 piece of licorice
1 hersey chocolate miniture
3 pringles salt chips (25 calories)
6 pieces of gum (30 calories)
2 16 oz. of diet tea (0 calories)
1/2 polish kielbasa (~350 calories)

Now count wise I realize this is pretty reasonable and I easily drank 10 glasses of water today. Where the hell is my veggies? I love spinach and broccoli. I need to get on this food wagon. Fat wise the sausage killed me. I will focus better tomorrow.

I think I am going to see if my insurance will cover a nutritionist visit. I talked to my doctor when I started and she was super on bored for me to lose weight. I know she would refer me if that is what I need. What about Weight Watchers?

A food Diary

OK,

I have decided I really and going to start logging my food. I am going to focus this week on what I eat. I have been a good girl and going to the gym and my body is sore all over.

So til tonight with what I am eating.

I did Bob's challenge

I didn't think I could honestly do it. He wanted you to run 1 min and then walk one min for 30 min. I did it AND I even ran the last two min. I was sweating like a pig. When I started I told myself that I was going to give it a good effort and only focus on whatever min. I was working on. I walked an extra little bit because my heart rate was so high. I really was proud of myself. I think I am going to warm up from now on doing that.

I went on the elliptical machine afterwords for 40 min. It felt really nice. I was thinking of maybe making this week my second attempt at the 10k calorie challenge but I am not sure. I did burn exactly 800 tonight.

At the gym there was info on the Avon Breast cancer walk. It is a 26.2 mile Sat. walk and a 13.1 Sun walk over a weekend. There is one in DC and one in Chicago. I was thinking of making on later in the year a goal. Maybe my mom will do it with me. (I know she will say no, but it is worth a try)

Good night all!

+3 Pounds

So on my last weigh in I weighed 222.5 so in 2 weeks I gained 3 pounds. I didn't weigh in last week because I was in Wilmington for Easter. There is both good an bad in this.

I had weighed myself the whole week and I went up to over 230 again. So the fact that I am managing to come back down is good. It is so hard when I am around my family! They all are normal pretty skinny and in shape and they eat like pigs on Holidays.

I have been super focusing on my food. I loaded up on the Slimfast. I just cannot eat breakfast without feeling sick so I am going to have to stick to meal replacement shakes with some fruit. It was on sale this week on Walgreens and I had a coupon. I got them for less than less than .70 cents a can. The picture of Tara and Helen on my fridge is making me snack from the fridge. I need another one for the pantry.

Exercise has been lacking =/. It usually is so easy for me. It all started last weekend with Bob Harper's challenge. I did all those squats and then couldn't walk. I know that isn't an excuse. Then I went for a walk and got super blisters. I am been so slack. I have been looking for an exercise partner and I am just not finding one.

Oh yeah, and the thing that is also keeping me from going to the gym so much is I got a second job. We really needed the money. I am going to try to start walking on my lunch breaks and getting my ass up early to go to the gym before work.

I want this

I need to tell myself that. I have gained some weight.

The Biggest Loser was the makeover show today. Man, it made me sad. They have worked out for approx. the same amount of time and Helen. She is the contestant I was closest to when it started (she was 257 & I was 253) is at 162. I feel like such a failure.

I bought OK magazine that featured Tara and Helen and put the cover on my fridge. Everyday I will have them in my face. I can and will do this.

I went to the gym and did a little bit on the treadmill. My legs are still killing me from the squats so I didn't want to overdo it. I did some weightlifting and pushups.

Tomorrow, I will start again. I weigh 225 pounds. I am down 28 pounds and I need to lose more. I need to do it for me.

Ouch!

So....

This week is not going according to plan. I completely blew it over the Easter Holiday. I am afraid to weigh myself, but tomorrow morning I will get my weight and start over.

I am friends with Bob Harper from the biggest Loser on facebook. Everyday, he posts a challenge. I start my morning reading them and attempting to do it. This weekend was 200 squats. I did them and boy do my legs hurt. Thursday it was 100 push ups. I made it to almost 70. I am going to continue to do this. I am hoping to find some people to work out with. I need that support. I feel like I am failing in part because of this.

I hope you all are well! Happy Easter/Passover!

Results are in

So Sunday I was officially measured for my bridesmaid dress. It is lower than what my wedding dress was.

I really am trying hard at the gym. I am gaining weight and I have no idea why. I usually flucuate. I have been hitting the gym harder and its not helping. I am not going to be in town on Friday I will do my weigh in tomorrow for the week. I would not be surprised if I gained.

I have gone to the gym Sun, Mon, & Tues this week. I am going to go tonight. So at least I am still putting in my effort.

Shopping!

I think as a new reward I will go shopping every six weeks! I tried on some clothes that were a little small. I did it because it was a 14W and I still got the zipper up. I am almost out of my fat people's clothes. A few more inches!

I am really now focusing on getting into a regular 14. That would mean I would be able to shop in "normal" stores. I was seriously looking at myself in the mirror and I can tell I am getting smaller. I know I want it to happen faster, but at least it is happening.

I went to a bridal store today because I am in a wedding, but they do not have my size to even try on. They want me to order my dress now for an October wedding. I offered to get it in June. It is suppose to arrive in 12 weeks. (So ordering in June will get here in Aug.) I do not plan on staying the same size. I mean I am hoping to be lose ~20 pounds before I buy it and ~50 pounds before the last weekend in Oct. It won't even be close to fitting if I order it now. I am hoping to lose the 20ish pounds and order 1 size down. I am not sure how they are going to feel about that. Those dresses go in and out 2 sizes and that way in Oct. it will be close.

I still feel massive. I just one for one second to look like all the other girls. When I get there, it will be so sweet. I cannot wait!!

Weigh in update:

Still on the correct trend. I went done another 1.5 pounds. My serious goal is to lose 22.5 pounds by June 1st. I am not sure that I can do it but we will see.

I did not go to the gym last night. I was so tired that I came in from work and went directly to bed. (apparently for the night) Couple people have been sick around work and I wouldn't be surprised that I am not fighting something off. One girl has the flu. Maybe I should try to catch that so I can lose more weight. Anyways, I am happy I am going in the right direction.

=)

Push Ups

So for my black belt test I did about 2400 over the course of 6 hours. Last night I did 50. I am trying to come up with a reasonable push up goal.

My stabilizer muscles in my tummy are killing me for only 50!!

Yay! Birthday!

So officially I didn't make my 3 month goal. I am super close and I think I put in serious effort. Now to set my next step. June 1 I will lose another 24 pounds. It will finally put me under 200 pounds.

My clothes have dropped from tight 18s to I am wearing some size 14s. I am not in all 14s but I think I am solidly in a 16. I can do more push ups. I got my husband the iron gym for Christmas and I put it on the floor and do pushups. My arms are flabby but you can start to see definition.

I did go to the gym yesterday and I just got back today. I put in some solid cardio! I really need to start a consistent weight program to incorporate. I keep telling myself that I need to do cardio and more cardio until I die from it.

Food today is a wash. I had a cajun chicken sandwich no mayo and a strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and banana shake. Delicious. I also had cake =) I will start being really good tomorrow.

=) Week Update:

So I lost 2.5 pounds this week. I was surprised. I hadn't gone to the gym since I went on Tues. I over did it and was terribly sore. I have found I have to let my body rest or I will be useless.

So tomorrow is my birthday. yay! I am 4 pounds away from where I wanted to be tomorrow. I am really proud I have lost and kept up with this since Jan. 2. I am not going to be a statistic! I am going to finish this. I want it to stop raining because I am going to start running on my lunch break. There is a shower at work and some trails.

So I am off to the gym. I know I won't lose 14000 calories in a night, but I am going to put in a solid 2 hours.

Man this is getting old

Same story different day =/

I went to the gym yesterday. I burned about 1400 calories. I felt really good. I feel blah today because of Aunt Flo and didn't convince myself to get my fat ass to the gym and now I am beating myself up for it.

I know I will gain weight this week. I can see I am retaining water big time when I look in the mirror. Maybe I can stay the same. I will literally work my ass off tomorrow. I have to STAY AWAY from the freaking chocolate at work. They should stop buying it.

So how did I do?

Holy crap!

Do you know how many 10,000 calories are? So Sat. after I posted I went downstairs to find a flood. My toilet had overflowed all over my carpet in the den. It took me about 5 hours to clean the whole thing up.

I did go to the gym (yay!); however, I didn't start my weekend challenge until like 5 pm on Sat. So I don't think it is a fair shot. I should allow one session on Friday and then Sat. & Sun. I would have done better. Next time!

Session 1:
Elliptical- 422 calories
upright bike- 141 calories
treadmill- 432 calories

Session 2:
Elliptical- 1109 calories
Treadmill-230 calories

Session 3:
general weights for 30 min- 179 calories

Session 4:
Elliptical- 734 calories
vigorous weights for 50 min- 529 calories

Grand Total: 3776

Notes: I will try to do it once a month a hardcore weekend. I guess 6K would be more reasonable. I would have done better if the toilet problem didn't take the better part of Saturday for me to clean. I probably would have had another elliptical & treadmill session.

I used this calculator for the weight lifting. I am not going to the gym tonight because I am really sore. I am going to watch dancing with the stars and stretch. Lots of stretching. I am so very tight.

10,000 Calories or Bust

So my birthday is March 29th. My goal was to be under 220 pounds. I weigh 226.5. This weekend I will try to burn 10k calories. I will judge this based on what the machine says.

I will report Monday. I am going to make that freaking goal!!

Week 11

I lost another pound. Man this is going so slow. My goal at the beginning of the year was to be below 220 pounds before my birthday and I probably will not make it. The last weigh in before than in next Friday.

I did go t the gym last night. I have been continuing that. I am not sure what I need to do. Maybe stay longer? I went for 1.5 hours last night. I guess maybe I need to do a better job varying what I am doing.

Cycles

So I notice I work my ass off one day and the following day I usually can make it through the day I am so tired and sore. By the time I come home, I just make it to bed and then sleep for like 10 hours. It isn't like I am not sleeping normally. (I am trying to sleep my 8 a night)

This cycle cannot continue.

Well tonight it is my version of the last chance workout. I am going to kick my ass!

I keep moving!

Well, how come it always comes down to the food? I had my first cheeseburger in 4 months Sunday. I have never ate something so delicious in my life. I didn't wash it down with a shake or anything but I am looking forward. I went so far over my calories it was ridiculous.

Death to the 5th blog I regularly read. This one was particularly hard for me to lose. When I read these blogs, I connect with these people. I feel like no one in the whole world (my family or friends) know what I am going through. They do not have 100 pounds to lose. My mom is trying to lose like 20. She has lost 10 in 3 weeks. Some of the weight loss blogs have such insight and inspiration. I have to keep reading. I hope that them not posting or even erasing does not discourage them from their dream of losing weight.

I have now come far enough that my New's Resolution is actually getting accomplished. I want next year not to have a weight loss goal attached to it. It would be the first time in over 10 years. I cannot weight to be in the 100s again. I realize I am still more than 20 pounds away but I am getting so close. I am closer to 200 than my starting weight. It blows my mind.

Another week down: Weigh In Time

I lost another 2 pounds. I am so excited. I know I am still a long way off from 200 pounds I feel like for the first time it is attainable. I have been keeping up with the evil elliptical, but the treadmills have been full the last few times I went.

I think I need to look into buying a good pair of shoes. The ones I am wearing were a Christmas present and they are completely destroyed. I usually like Nike since they fit nicely, but I was told to go to this shoe store that matches the shoe to you for a running or a cross training shoe. I am very interested to know what kind of shoe I should be in.

I found a class!

So I think I have found a class. If I buy 30 min. personal training sessions you can take the group classes for free. They are about 5 min from my house!

http://www.triangleboxing.com/free_boxing_fitness_training.htm

There are all the classes. I am paying my taxes next week and I am going to see if I can't get a couple of people to chip in for my birthday (ie...my husband). I am so excited.

Yesterday, I did my 2 miles on the treadmill and then 1 hour on the elliptical machine. I then decided I might as well start weight lifting. I started on my arms. I can still bench press 110 pounds. I decided to do 3 sets of 15 at 90 pounds not to over do it. I then did my shoulders, triceps, biceps. I did not do one machine I really wanted to because a whole group of people came in at 1am and I got pretty nervous since I had never seen them before so I left.

Tonight is legs.

Ashamed =(

So the reason I haven't been posting is that I didn't want to admit what kind of time I have been having. I need to really let everyone know.

Friday I went to the gym and it went well. I am try to run the entire time of 2 miles. That is my short term goal. When I am done I hop on the elliptical machine for an hour. I feel like the mini running session kills me. I cannot believe how hard it is.

This weekend was a disaster. First of all, we had company in and she brought about 3 pounds of the most delicious Italian butter cookies I had ever eaten. They are so amazing. I succumbed too much. We went to an Italian place with my husband's family and the service was horrible. I ordered good food but it didn't come for 3 hours. So I ended up eating bread and butter for dinner. Sunday wasn't much better. I am eating everything in sight and am so tired. I have no idea what is up with me.

Yesterday, I tried to get back on the program. did my run/elliptical session, but still the eating wasn't optimum. Today, same thing except I went on the elliptical longer to try to burn some of the excess.

I was doing so well. This is quite the set back. I read on someone's blog a comment that said. "Take it one second at a time. Can't change yesterday and tomorrow isn't here. Eventually the seconds add up." So I think I will do just that.

After we do our taxes, I am going to probably join some kind of program. I am not sure yet though.

Weigh In Again

So I finally broke the 20 pound weight loss mark. Man, it feels so good. I feel like it is a month coming but I am happy to be moving forward again.

Yesterday, I tried my hand at running. Damn that is so freaking tough. I think I am going to start running 5k on the treadmill 3X a week to start building up my endurance. Tonight's goal is to try to make it in under 33 min. I am thinking that will be kind of tough, but I heard the only way to get better at running is is run. So I know it is going to suck so bad for the first few weeks. It was like this for elliptical machine and now it isn't as hard so I know its true.

I feel myself getting lazy about this. I read 4-5 blogs a day about weight loss and several have stopped updating and it is making me feel like I can stop too. So 89.5 pounds to go. I still want to be half way down by June 15. I have no idea if I am going to make it.

=)

So I am noticing this week I can tell I lost some more weight. It feels nice to be back on track! I have started to google for kickboxing classes. I really want something to be less than a 15-20 min drive from here. I am not sure what the best option would be/

Me and the elliptical machine are doing well. I changed programs on Mon to the high climb and my butt hurt all day yesterday when I was sitting on it. I can only imagine the number that machine did on it. Yesterday my normal kind of machine was taken so I did a different kind of elliptical machine and just concentrated on keeping my heart rate up above 140. I really should get a around to running. I found out that NBC lied to me telling me that Dane ran a marathon in less than 4 hours. Not only did he not do it in 4 hours he accepted a ride for 3 miles. Apparently afterwords he went back and did those 3 miles. This is very disturbing for me. I work out so hard and i look to their (the Biggest Loser's) as something I can achieve and I feel as it is a sham =(. It is a really sad day.

So what am I going to do about this

I have been around the same weight now for 3 weeks. I am very frustrated. The silver lining is that a big pair of sz 14 jeans are not only on but look good.

With the bad weather and now the snow I haven't been to the gym, but I have been focusing on my food so I do not feel too bad. Today I am going to clean and see if something is on FIT TV or maybe down load a work out on the internet so I keep moving. I cannot believe that it is 17 in March and Friday it will be 71 again. This weather is completely crazy.

I am going to pretend this is the beginning of my wellness trip and get super excited again. I went home this weekend and no one noticed I lost any weight which is really frustrating. So next time I see them, they had better notice. I am also shopping around for a kickboxing class in Raleigh, RTP, or Durham so if anyone can recommend one I am open to it.

Good luck and stay strong.

Week 8

So no change.....

grrrr...

I am going to reevalue and be back on in a bit. =/

Sore

OMG, it has been two days after my trainer's sample session and I am still sore. It feels so good. Muscles hurting that I typically do not use. I have decided to see how much for him to show me how to use all the machines and give me a 3-month training plan. I think I have the motivation to stick to it.

So for Lent I gave up chocolate and alcohol. So the alcohol will be easy but on my diet I eat a lot of fat free chocolate pudding and ice cream so it will be a challenge.

I found out that Dan from the orange team trains right down the street at gold's gym and also in N. Raleigh with Heba and Ed from last season. (As a matter of fact, I played poker weekly with Heba's brother for about 3 years and didn't realize it was his sister until I saw him on stage at the finale last year) Dan has lost 115 pounds so far and the finale is May 12th which is so good for him. He is so super determined still and that is inspiring me to continue.

I hate having my period =( I always gain around 2-5 pounds and feel so super bloated. It is so discouraging stepping on the scale. I went to the gym last night and did the elliptical while the Biggest Loser was on. I know I can do this. I feel like I have hit some kind of plateau and I want to break into the 220s this week. Tonight is the other half of the Biggest Loser so more elliptical. I am think of 2X a week trying to run 2-3 miles on the treadmill. It is so hard for me because I weigh so much, but I guess I have to start somewhere =/

So what's new

Well. It has been so busy lately.

Sat. morning we hit a deer. We are ok; however, I was seriously sore for the last couple of days so I decided to rest on Sat. and Sun. I thought I should def. be cautious because I do not want to injure myself from over doing it.

Today was the rest of my fitness evaluation. I ran/walked my 1.5 miles in 18:36. Not the best time in the world but this gave me a solid starting point. The trainer went through a session with me. OMG. It was tough and I got such a work out in a 1 hour session. I really want to work with him.

The cost is just amazing.

Their intro special is 5 sessions for 300. Normally it runs 10 for 800 (+1 free), 20 for 1500 (+2 free), or 30 for 2100 (+3 free). They work with you 2-3 times a week and you do cardio on your own 2-3x a week. It is just super expensive. I feel like in one hour he taught me stuff I was just not going to learn off of the internet. Why do they have to be so expensive? My birthday is coming up. I think I might ask for the intro special and learn some new things and maybe see how things go. For the same price however, I can go to boot camp 4 days a week for a month. I feel like I am in that special spot in this life style change that I need that little push foward. I just do not know what I need. I need to be held accountable. Not making a session I spend 60 dollars on is huge.

Week 7

Well on the road again. Thank goodness. I had a solid workout last night; however, as I am writing this it is 1 am and I just sat down. I have to drive my husband to VA tomorrow. I just do not know how I am going to squeeze exercise in this weekend. I will definitely try. Sitting in a car is just not that active now is it.

Well, I am so tired I just wanted to let everyone know that next week I am going to try to make it to the 20 pound weight loss =). I am so close.

=/

So I must have over did it yesterday. I have so much pain in my legs. I kept telling myself it would feel good enough to go tonight, but I decided to let them rest so I don't hurt myself and go at it hard tomorrow. I have been pretty scared of the scale lately........

39.9

So since I gained week last week, I have been seeking more motivation. I saw a sign in the gym for a free 2-day fitness assessment from a personal trainer. I signed up and tonight was the first night.

After a 30 min health history, Matt (quite a cutie!) took all my measurements, weight, and body fat. So my measurements are nasty. I have never felt so disgusting. So the real number that shocked me is 39.9. That is my body fat percentage. My actual BMI is 37.4. I feel so super disgusting.

He did all these endurance tests with me. I did push ups and sit ups. Apparently I have a core. It was determined that if I really pushed myself I should easily be as in shape as I want to be. He actually told me if I got on the ball I could probably do it by Nov. I have my second day assessment on Mon. It includes a 2 mile run. OMG! I can't run. He said I could walk it, but I am going to go to the gym late these next few days and see what I can do.

Time to combat this!

Ok....so last night we went to a five star restaurant courtesy of Eddie's parents. It was their Christmas present to us and we had decided to use it for Valentine's Day.

The food was amazing!
Pre 1st course: cauliflower soup with oysters
1st course: Duck au confeit
2nd course: Salmon with clam sauce
3rd course: Scallops with orange sauce
4 course: Hot chocolate souffle

With fresh bread of course!

They brought a box of chocolate covered strawberries and graham crackers instead of mints with the check. I wish they would of told me this before I ordered the crappy souffle.

So I am sure that none of this was on my diet. I went with the seafood mostly because it was broiled. They had more fattening options (Fried, cream based sauces, etc.). The cake was disappointing and not worth the money and I actually didn't even finish it. At the end of the night I was really quite proud of my choices.

So now I am straight and narrow on the life change. I didn't make it out to the gym yesterday but I went this morning for an hour and I just got back from another hour. The gym is right down the street in the strip mall on the corner. We got a great deal for 790 for both of us for 2 years if we signed up when it opened. It ends August this year so I am going to think of important factors in choosing the next one. Anyways, I decided to walk and it really isn't so bad. It was 68 and gorgeous today =) I feel so much better.

I gained weight-Week 6

I knew it was happening all week. Even after I exercised for 2:45 last night. I knew it. It was so depressing that at bagel doughnut Friday at work I succumbed to a doughnut. I looked up the nutritional info on the website. I actually picked a pretty good one comparatively. I ate a blueberry caked doughnut for 190 cal. and 11 grams of fat. =/

I called my husband. He said he would start working out with me on a regular basis and even train me at night if I did my cardio in the morning. He is helping me to look forward. So I have decided I want to be at my 20 pound weight loss by the end of the month.

So for lunch today I am going to the gym. I am going out for Valentine's tonight and I want to make sure I get some cardio in today.

Last Chance Workout

So I went to the gym and did my form of cardio for 2:45 min. 2 hours on the elliptical machine and 45 min on the bike. I am tired. I guess I was kind of hoping for a miracle.

I hope everyone stays the course during this difficult week. Next week, we will blow it out of the water =).

Wish me luck tomorrow.

Mental Breaking Point

So I have hit this roadblock. I feel like I just cannot do this. Every time I have stepped on the scale it has been heavier than last Friday and I keep busting my butt at the gym. It has really started to affect me mentally. I have started to question my ability to complete this or even why I am attempting to do this. My body burns from the extra workouts. I do not think I can take gaining weight this week. I really wanted to break 230 pounds this week (20 pound weight loss) but I know now this in unreasonable.

I am tired.

I will not quit. I will persevere, but I am going to have to find help.

Today...

...was a good day- well, for the most part anyway.

I ate well. I tried this healthy pizza thing from scratch. It was really really good. I put bacon on my husband's side. Hunt's dices tomato's with green peppers & onions for the sauce was a great choice. Italian seasoning and reduced fat cheese. I put sliced ham on top. It was soooooo good.

So my husband is a manager at a gas station. An awesome perk is that when things expire he gets to bring them home like chips and doughnuts. (I promptly take those to work and put them in the break room). The thing I look forward to is the fruit. He comes in 2X a week to change it out and my husband just brings it home for me. So today I got 5 bananas, 2 kinds of apples, and an orange. Quite a variety =) When it snowed I got around 40 bananas. I made tons of healthy banana muffin recipes. The banana oatmeal muffins were disgusting, but one of the other ones came out really awesome.

I have actually considered to try to plan out my week's worth of food and snacks. I am not sure how devoted I am to that quite yet. I picked up my pen to pretend to start, but sometimes I get moody and want something different?

On a side note, I wore a size 16 pant to work today and one of the girl's at work said they looked kind of baggy. I am pretty sure I stretched the stuffing out of it while I was getting bigger. I would absolutely love to be in a TRUE Lane Bryant 14 by my birthday (Mar. 29). At 2 pounds a week, that would be another 14 pounds. I wonder if that would be enough.

Nutrition

Man,

It always seem that is where my weakness is. I love to eat, but this is what got me into this place in the first place. I went to Harris Teeter and they had Viola meal in a bags bogo. I looked on every label. The sweet and sour chicken is about 220 calories w/10 grams protein and 1 gram of fat. I took a chance and man is it good. I think I found it the thing I need. It tastes way better than any of the other "diet" food I have eaten. The other kinds aren't really good for you. I heard that there is a sweet and sour shrimp version and I am hoping to find some of those while they are still buy one get one free.

Now I need a good chocolate replacement. I found this ice cream I love. Fat free breyers cappuccino double fudge. I found it while out awhile ago and loved it and I cannot find it. I have been to like 6 stores. =( What a bummer. I hope they didn't cancel the flavor. I bought some sugar free jello cups....They are so expensive. I have started couponing because I am not going to let money get in my way.

Fox reality TV had a biggest loser marathon season 4 on this weekend and I recorded the whole thing. I always feel so encourage when I watch them so I will use it when I want to slack off. Yesterday I watched 3 episodes and went tot he gym. I put in a really solid work out. It was harder than I have worked out in awhile. That should tell you something.

Weigh In Week 5

Well, surprisingly enough I lost weight this week. It was another solid week. I lost 3.5 pounds. I had the first person who didn't know I was on a diet ask if I lost weight. Man, that feels really good. I know he asked because I am wearing my favorite pair of work jeans (I wear them to work all the time) and they are getting big. They are an 18. I do not quite fit the 16s I have yet which is curious. My birthday is Mar. 29th. and I would like to have lost 30 pounds by then. I am trying to figure out if that is going to be realistic.

I hope next week I can dig out all my 16s and put the 18s in the donate. I will never ever see these again. Somebody asked me how I can do this. I realize this time it is already easier since I read blogs of people I feel are like me. Before I work out, I check them all and I read that they worked out. It makes me feel so bad if I read it and do not work out. If they can do it, I can too.

At the end of this journey, I plan on printing the whole blog out. Yes, ALL OF IT. I will clip it together and put it on my fridge. When I want to over indulge, I will read how long and how hard I worked.

I started cruise shopping. You know when I lose the weight I get one. So I have started to dream. I know we cannot really afford it but we cannot afford me not to be healthy either. I want to show all the doubters the real me. The me that is on the inside wanting to burst out.

GOOD LUCK to everyone else on their weigh ins this week.

So this week

So Monday I ended up not going to the gym. I was super sore. I did go for an hour on Tues. and Wed. I hit a wall yesterday on the elliptical machine. I have no idea why my body just randomly shut down. Eddie, has taken to saying every night when I come home that he is so proud of me. See that is way better coming home and getting some love even though I am stinky.

I am going to buy a new bra since mine is getting a little bigger. So on my lunch break I went and got measured on Tues. Wow. So when I started I I was wearing a 42 G. I was measured as a 38 FF. So big change. While I was there I was looking for goal clothes. It was a woman's store so the smallest size they had was a 14W. So I went and got a pair of black pant to see what they would look like on me. The zipper went up and I didn't damage the pants. I probably would need to lose about 10-15 pounds to look awesome in those.

The real problem for my weight loss is going to be when I hit a plateau. Most of you know I was married last August. What you do not know is that I gained 30 pounds after the wedding. I lost 38 for the wedding and gained 30 back. The reason is I plateaued and was discouraged. I am worried when i get back down to that number it will happen all over again. I was thinking when I plateau I will take a kick boxing class or join the boot camp program they have every morning down the street at 5:45AM. I weigh myself every morning so I know where I stand. I read an article that people who weigh themselves everyday are smaller. I will not let the plateau prevail.

So how bad is bad? The Superbowl

So yeah. The party was bad.

So here was the plan. Go to the supermarket and buy food I like that I normally do not buy and treat myself to some healthier options. I made a grilled tuna steak and a nice fruit salad. When I was cooking the party food, I chewed gum. I found a brand that has a flavor such that I cannot stand eating food after I chew it for awhile.

So for the first half I was good. The problem came in at halftime when I started to clean. I started to pick. We had all kinds of goodies -bacon wrapped water chestnuts, honey roasted nuts, chili dip, garlic ranch dip, 2 kinds of brownies, chips, cookies, sausage and the list goes on......

So not only did I succumb, I did it AFTER I spent extra money on me.

I pretty much a few bites of everything.

So my solution was almost as bad as the problem itself. After the Superbowl, I drug myself to the gym and told myself I was not stopping until the elliptical machine said I burned 1500 calories. So yeah, you can guess I was there for awhile. (2 hours and 11 min. to be precise) Oh yes, it gets better! Not only is it 2:30 AM at this point and I have to work in 5 hours, but I also had a full blown asthma attack. I didn't go to bed until my husband woke up for work and he put me to bed. On top of that, I made myself go to work and my legs are now super sore. I was stretching in front of the TV for the last hour and I am not sure I should go back on the elliptical tonight. I might go walk awhile on the treadmill and not overdo it.

A side note, after I was done with 2 hours on the elliptical machine I felt like I could still go which means I probably should start playing with the setting. The one I get on is the Precor EFX I usually do a 10 incline and a 10 resistance. The max for both is 20; however, I do change the incline to work different parts of my legs so my theighs get overly meaty.

Weigh In 4

So yes!! I lost 2 pounds. Pretty solid. I was quite surprised. Finally, my clothes are fitting better. I am getting super excited. I have more energy. My focus this month is going to be to continue with what I am doing.

I have a Superbowl party tonight. I am making bad food, fried cheese, sausage, chips and dip, etc. I am trying to come up with some healthy. I am not sure what to make for me. I am thinking fruit salad or something. I am going to have to walk the supermarket to figure out.

Am I falling off of the wagon?

So I guess my my version of support and the world's version of support is different. For example, I personally am eating my special time and all I want to eat is chocolate. So I am eating chocolate and my husband is like I knew you couldn't stick to it. What was he trying to do? Guilt me in it? Or my mom is like we ARE you going to the gym or not. I just want somebody to do it with me. Not be the boss of my diet.

It has been super tough this week. I have gone to the gym 3 times and that one day of yard work so I am not doing so bad with the exercise part. My diet has gone to shits. I had to go to the doctor for something else this week and she told me I need to eat 3 oz. of nuts (had to be almonds or walnuts) as a morning snack every day. It supposedly has been show to suppress your appetite. I am not a nut fan.

Tomorrow is my weigh in day. I am not excited at all about it. I hope I didn't gain a pound. That would suck so bad. I am going to go by some fresh fruit tomorrow. I know that will make me happy.

The Biggest Loser

So, an advantage of my gym is that every piece of cardio equipment has a TV attached and you just plug your headphones in to it. You can change the channels and it has about 50. So the reason I am on a machine for an hour is that I am watching some program in completion.

So my Tues. program is The Biggest Loser. It is my devil week (so it will be my girly time at some point) and this was week 4 on the show. All I could think of is the fact they still lose weight. I am always bloated and crave anything sweet. It is amazing. My biggest goal is not to GAIN weight this week. Everyone has had their time at least once and they all put up amazing numbers. The Orange team was voted off and I was so inspired by the boy determined to be skinny. He has lost like 110 pounds so far! I always work out harder when the show is on. Like when I watch Grey's Anatomy, cardio is like something I am doing in the background. When The Biggest Loser is on, I bust my ass.

I wonder if I can get the seasons from Netflix. I kinda watched the first season when I was in college but every other season would push me to do better. It really is motivational. I will have to look into that.

I feel like people read this and are my workout partners in that respect. I feel like they need to know I have been working out and not slacking so they will not slack. Lord, knows it is easy to do. It is not like these people will come to my house and beat me if I do not go; however, I do feel slightly like I might let them down. I read their progress every day before I go to the gym because if someone like me is working on it....I can too. I find it hard to find a workout partner at the gym because every there is so super skinny and I feel like no one can relate to the fact that I want, no I NEED, to lose at least 100 pounds.

HOLY COW!!

So I woke up this morning and I realized about my second step that I could not move. By not move, I mean I keeled over in immense pain. Apparently, hauling 25 bags (weighing I found out later about 45 pounds) around for 4 hours might have actually been a work out. My legs were burning. I walked like I had to go to the bathroom the WHOLE day. (Side note: It is good I used my legs and my back didn't hurt like a son of a gun!!!)

So I was debating again on whether I was going to the gym tonight, I told myself that I was goingt to go no matter what. So I took a nap and stretched my legs. I just figured I would just use the arm machines or something. I actually ended up on my friend the elliptical machine for 45 min. I could have gone longer but I didn't want to over do my legs.

I am thinking about Feb. 1 starting the regular Power 90. I have the disks. I feel like I am in shape enough to actually try to do it.

No Gym tonight

Well, I did go last night.

Tomorrow is the appraisal on our house. If you have been living under a rock, UPDATE, houses are worth less! So I spread 25 bags of mulch, raked the yard and then cleaned the whole inside of the house. I need it to appraise the same as last year when we bought it. It is now almost 10 pm and I just got my first break. I do not think I can possibly go. I feel like I am being cheap about it.

I feel like all that work should count. I might stretch and do some calisthenics. Then for a nice soak.

Weigh In #3

So solid loss this week. I was really quite proud at my self for keeping with it. This is usually the do or die part of the diet for me. Well in this case, it is a lifestyle change.

Last night, I was rally bad. On my way to the gym a friend called and we went to a bar. I drank 3 glasses of water and a diet coke and vodka with a grilled chicken salad (no dressing). I was doing fine until she ordered spinach and artichoke dip for the table. Dammit. I tried to be so strong. That was non existent. I probably ate an extra 400 calories in dip. Dammit.

I am going to go to the gym an extra hour as punishment.

Death by Elliptical Machine

OMG!! I am going to feel this workout in the morning. So I decide to see how much stamina I have built up on it. 2.5 hours I am still going strong. I probably could have gone longer, but there wasn't anything good on TV. I know my legs will be pissed at me tomorrow.

So I was thinking about the daily weights I take. I weigh myself every morning and only record the ones on Friday. So I have a feel on my fluctuations. I feel that this is beneficial, but is it cheating? I do not over do it. I have read a few studies that people who weigh themselves daily tend to weigh less. I will have to ponder further.

I picked up the new Fitness and Fitness RX magazines. Even though Eddie is a money ninja, he still lets me make these kind of purchases because he thinks it inspires me. The people in there are just unrealistic. I swear! I tried some of the simple yoga suggestions and man apparently I just have no balance. 12 years of karate and you would I thought I had at least an ounce.

Well, wish me luck on my weigh in tomorrow.

My first Temptation

Man oh man.....So last night I decided to watch my new favorite inspirational show...The Biggest Loser. While I watched, I did push ups, sit ups, and general weight lifting. I was surprised to find that I can do actual push ups. I have been doing the cheap kind and I managed to do like 20 of the "boy" kind. I am going to try to work my way up to 100 by the end of the month. Will keep you updated.

I am trying to figure out a reasonable time I hope to hit my goal. I do realize that 110 pounds will not come off tomorrow. What is realistically possible? I know I will have plateaus and such. I am pretty dedicated.

I passed my first serious temptation today.....well I think I did. At work they ordered Bojangles. Before the meeting, I went on their website to find out if I could pick something that would be too bad. So the best thing was the Cajun chicken breast with no bread or mayo for ~280 calories and 5 g of fat. The rest was eye opening! If you haven't looked at that nutritional sheet, I would check it out ASAP! The meeting didn't even include that type of chicken. I took a Healthy Choice steamer which was delicious and chewed about 8 sticks of gum in 2 hours. You cannot imagine what $140 in Bojangles even looks like.

SNOW!!!

So yesterday, I decided to go to the gym. I did a great job and when I was done I locked myself out. Quite frustrating. So most poeple know that the Carolinas received snow today. It has shut everything down since A) no one can drive in it & B) the state doesn't plow or sand the streets. So tonight I am going to pick a get fit program on one of the channels this evening and follow it.

I do have some kind of Lose dat Booty disk. Will update tomorrow on if I died or not.

2 Hours

Yay! I did 2 hours on the elliptical machine today as punishment for the birthday party I attended. It was for Eddie's baby sister. There is rarely anything actually good for you at one of these kinds of get togethers........there were chips, cheese dip, fried rice, etc. and of course cake. I did really well and I was hungry and heard they were going to have dinner. I should have realized it wouldn't be good for me and left prior to it.

I am guessing I consumed around 1900 calories today.....very naughty and against my strict 1200-1500 limit. So I stayed until I burned 1500 calories on the elliptical machine. It took me precisely 1 hour and 56 min. so I stayed on for the last couple min to make it 2 hours.

It really wasn't so bad. I am thinking of writing out a workout schedule. What I am doing seems to be working for now since I am losing weight. Harris Teeter has phenomenol blackberries on sale this week =). Well off to soak.

The mom on board

So I have decided my mother needs to lose weight. I called her up and told her she needs to be my workout partner from 150 miles away. We will have to compete. She is resisting, but she will succumb.

So I went to the gym. It is soooooooooooooooooooooo cold outside. I know this is good but damn I like staying under the cozy covers.

Talked to Aaron today (a brother). He decided to do the Power90X routine and is on week 2. He sounds like he is so super sore. I have the original one. I found it in my movies after I moved. I was thinking after getting enough in shape I might try. Basically, it is a program you do for 90 days alternating between 2 35-45 min programs. I tried it the other day and my abs yelled at me. Maybe I will be far along enough Feb. 1 to attempt to do it.

Week 2 Update

So I lost another 3 pounds last week. I have been struggling to eat well. I am so sore and I didn't go to the gym Thursday. I have made it the to the gym Friday.

My good friend was laid off yesterday. I am hoping she does ok. Last night, I did a mini circuit and it was so hard. I did 20 min. on the Treadles machine, 20 min on a recombent bike, and 20 min on the tread mill. Today, I cannot feel my legs.

I am not sure what I am going to do today.

Hrm...

I am so super sore. I didn't really do much last night beyond my elliptical machine and a few weights. I ate terribly yesterday and should be yelled at for this. Eddie calls them running metaphorical red lights. I like that. He is like just because you ran a redlight you will not keep running them will you. This is of course to me saying that since I cheated all I will do is keep cheating.

Cross your fingers! I am going to the dental school today to see if I have the problems with my teeth for the Dentist Exam in a month. If so, they will work on my mouth completely free! It would be so nice if it could cut down my $1700 hundred after insurance bill down a few hundred dollars!

Well, will update later. I already have notice I can wear these pants I couldn't wear before Christmas. That is already a promising sign for this weeks weigh in.

Ok.....I am not really being THAT lazy

So yesterday I did fine with my eating but I lost my keys. The way the gym works is a fob which you wave to go in.....it was conveniently on said key chain....

I spent 2 hours looking for it. I ended up finding it this morning in my makeup bag.

Today I did go to the gym and eat well.

I have been frantically ebaying looking for a bridesmaid dress I am wearing at the end of the year. I am hoping with due diligence I might be able to get it for 40-60 dollars. I have found it in 5 other colors. 3 of them would have/been able to made to fit me. Cross your fingers. It is 2009 and things will start going my way!

110 Pounds

Isn't that kind of ridiculous. I it almost like I said I am going to run a marathon tomorrow.

I haven't really set a goal time to try to accomplish this. I am hoping it will get easier and easier so I can do more. So if I lose 2-3 pounds a week I might be able to start 2010 at my goal weight. I wonder if that is reasonable. I feel like I have the self discipline.

So I decided to set mini goals and rewards. I am not sure what they will be yet.

110 pounds is the cruise

What I should reward myself with....a spa treatment? movies? I guess I will think about this more when I get closer to the goals. I am thinking 25,50,75, and at 105 it will be a new wardrobe =).

I somehow wish this was as easy as it was putting on the weight. Exercising is so much harder than eating. I am finding food that is good for me and tastes better than I thought it would. Well here is to the this weeks results.

Today I stayed the course and ate reasonably well. I tossed most of the leftover Christmas candy. It does not need to stay in this house to tempt me.

More tomorrow!

Week One Weigh In

I lost 3.5 pounds this week. I think it was a solid start. Didn't eat a single doughnut and bagel today. Ate well & went to the gym.

I found a public pool with open swimming tomorrow. I am going to see if I can talk Eddie into going.

One Week

So I weigh in tomorrow. I ate not as well as I should have =(

Did go to the gym for 2 hours.....one on the treadmill...one on the elliptical machine.

I go to small gym and there is not a lot of variety. They have a recumbent bike and a treadles machine. I might start going a rotation; however, the gym is pretty crowded when I go.

My big test is...Doughnut Bagel Friday at work. They do not provide fruit so really nothing on that table should be eaten. I usually break down around my 10 am sugar need. So I will have to take precautions.

ugh.....

I keep telling myself this isn't a diet but a new frontier of unexplored land. I already miss bacon =(. I think I am going to try the turkey bacon. It is supposedly not so bad. So sat. I might have some eggs and turkey bacon.......

Today I stayed the course:
meal replacement shake & banana
lean pocket & apple
Healthy Choice Soup w/Pineapple
granola bar

After the gym I had cantaloupe. So I have added the fruit. Need to work on the veggies.

The gym was tough. Elliptical for an hour and then I got on the treadmill to get an idea of how much more I had left. I went another 10 min alternating between running and walking.

I cannot believe how out of shape I am in.

I played basketball, softball, and volleyball. I threw in track & field and am a black belt in karate. Even did gymnastics and swim team for a few years. I cannot even imagine swimming a medley in my current shape or doing the 2000 push ups that were required for my black belt test.

My goal yesterday was to add water. I think I drank around 72 ounces. It was a lot of hard work though.

Today

So today......I went to the gym. It is getting slightly easier since I am trying to make it a habit.

On the food front no real slip ups; however, I need to work on drinking more water.

Hrm:

Yogurt and banana breakfast
apple and meal replacement shake lunch
banana snack
grilled chicken breast with rice and steamed veggies

I am going to have some sugar free jello while I go watch the biggest loser.

I decided I might as well start taking a multivitamin before I go to bed to make sure I am getting everything I need.

Tomorrow's goal: 6 glasses of water

Oh and in case you are curious Friday mornings are my weigh in days =)

Now Diet

So I went to the gym again and spent another hour on the elliptical machine. I hate that damn thing.

Now I have to work on a more balanced diet.

So I went shopping.......

5 kinds of fresh fruits & veggies
some healty choice meals
some soup (I am really into it when it is cold outside)
juice
yogurt

They didn't have the cappuccino double chocolate fat free breyer's ice cream tho. I was quite upset.

I did pretty solid today:

Granola bar + orange for breakfast
Healthy choice meal for lunch
carrots for a snack
and grilled chicken breast, fresh pineapple for dinner

Now I need to drink more water.

OMG Soreness!!!

I went today for another hour on the treadmill. My body is so sore. I did some weight today. I found out that I cannot do like any push ups anymore.

I am off to smell fresh.

What I have done to start:

First of all I have gotten my husband on board so I would have a teammate.

I used the elliptical machine yesterday for 1 hour and went today also for another hour. I know I need to get myself up to a minimum of 2.5 hours a day of cardio. I am surprised I am in good enough shape to just get going on the machine for an hour.

I was looking at different kind of boot camps because I would like to get started with some other people in the same boat.

2009

Hello Readers!

Well this is it. I have decided to make the big leap and lose 110 pounds. OMG! 3 digits. I have some ideas on how I am going to accomplish this.

Eddie, my husband, says he will take me on any week long cruise I want if I achieve this goal. So this is going to my diary of what I am doing and how I am trying not to cheat. I have a feeling this will probably be one of the hardest things I have ever done.

So the bad:

Current weight= Less than 1/1/08 but not what it need to be: 249.5 pounds. =O

Goal: 140 pounds pounds.

So wish me luck!