Day 338 (day 2 / week 48)

I see a lot of green today. Not in my environment, but in my measurements. My first reaction is to always be bummed, but I figure that I have still come a long way from this time last year, and I am human. Things change and things will--especially these numbers, so I'm not so worried.

One of the things that I wanted to prove with this blog was that I am just like you. I am your average everyday person. I am a Christian mom, wifey, sister, daughter, friend, employee and big-fat-hairy-nerd. If I can do this, so can you. I am not any better than anyone else out there, I am not perfect, and I wanted to document my journey to prove to anyone out there struggling like I am, that this is doable, with all of the potholes that come along the way. One of the things that comes along with being just like everyone else is that I stumble too.

This month I gained pounds and inches, but that doesn't matter! I can definitely say that earlier this year, I would have been upset, more than I would have let show, but now it's just a number that I will look back on. It means nothing ultimately because I don't plan on keeping these numbers. I plan on trading them in for even better ones next month, and the months to come. I wont stop just because I had a bad month (or 2 or 3). I hope you don't either.

The other thing I realized doing my measurements is that accountability is HUGE. I bet my numbers wouldn't be so green if I had posted my measurements/picture from November. I did my measurements, but lost them! Can you believe that? lol. I can't for the life of me remember where I wrote them down, what I wrote them down on or where I stashed it. Oh well. Such is life.

The other thing that I am slapping myself around with is something I have been having problems with for a while. Sugar. For some reason I have it in my head that it's all or nothing. I can't find a good compromise in my head, and that, I think, is the addiction talking.

I am TOTALLY making excuses and finding loop holes so that I can justify having it. This is a big problem for me. I don't see it so much, but my hubby calls me on it ALL THE TIME, so every once in a while, like this morning with my measurements and my hubby saying, "it's because of all of the sugar you eat," I get that light bulb that brings me to this place of reckoning.

I think it was last month (the last time that I had talked about it here) I had decided that because my fiber bars had sugar, and my shakes and all of the things that I eat/drink to promote my healthy lifestyle, had a small amount of sugar in it, that I couldn't eat/drink these things, in order to do my "sugar free 100 days." I decided that it wasn't fair to myself or healthy to cut those things out, so I allowed sugar again, just so I could eat those things, and only those things (my fiber bars, meal replacement shakes, etc). That is fine and all but I totally blew it. I baked cookies for Logan yesterday. Chocolate chip cookies. With real butter (I NEVER use real butter!). They are chalk full of calories. The worst part? They aren't that great but I ate them anyway. It wasn't even a minute of bliss worth. It was like, "it's there, so I am going to eat it."

Speaking of bliss, we were at Target a month or so ago and I saw for the first time Hershey's Bliss, Raspberry Meltaways. OMG those are yummy, but so evil! I didn't eat the entire bag. I never over indulge. I always eat the recommended serving size and always count my calories, and I never go over my calories, but it is still a huge problem for me. Can sugar be a bad thing, when you eat it in moderation (liks everyone always says to do) and are accountable for it? YES. For me DEFINITELY YES. Oye. I know I need to give it up, but it's hard. It's my addiction. I will lose that just like I did with all of the inches I have lost throughout this year. I guess next year it will be focusing on these types of things, now that I am hugely aware of them.

My measurements:

Measurements: (day 338 / day 275 / day 10) (- "/# lost in current month)

Wt: 193.0 / 187.8 / 215 (+5.2) (total lost 22 lbs)
Chest: 35.5" / 36" / 43.75"(-0.50") (total lost -8.25")
Waist: 32" / 31.5" / 41.5" (+0.50") (total lost -9.5")
Hips: 41.5" / 41" / 47.75" (+0.50") (total lost -6.25")
Neck: 12" / 12" / 14.25" (-0") (total lost -2.25")
Under bust: 30.5" / 30.5" / 36.75" (-0") (total lost -6.25")
1" below belly button: 37.5" / 37" / 47.5" (+0.50") (total lost -10")
Above my thigh: 38.5" / 36.75" / 44" (+1.75") (total lost -5.5")
R Thigh: 18.5" / 19" / 27" (-0.50") (total lost -8.50")
L Thigh: 18.5" / 18.5" / 27.5" (-0") (total lost -8")
R Calf: 13" / 13.75" / 14.5" (-0.75") (total lost -1.50")
L Calf: 13.75" / 14" / 14" (-0.25") (total lost -0.75")
R upper Arm: 10.5" / 10" / 14" (+0.50") (total lost -3.50")
L upper Arm: 10.5" / 10.25" / 13.5" (+0.25") (total lost -3")
R wrist: 5.50" / 5.50" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.75")
L wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")

Jan 2009

Feb 2009

March 2009

April 1, 2009

May 1, 2009

June 1, 2009

July 1, 2009August 1, 2009

September 1, 2009
October 3, 2009
December 5, 2009

I don't really have much to say. I am surprised about the calves. I measured them three times because I thought it was some sort of fluke. I am also more disappointed for not being accountable to November with my measurements then, cause now I can't find them. I don't care about this months numbers. They are just numbers. They won't always be these numbers so I don't care. This is what 338 consecutive days of exercise does to your mentality :). Nothing changes, nothing stops. It's doubtful that I will make a loss of 10lbs by Christmas though lol. I'm gonna keep trying nonetheless! lol.

I will post an update later for what exercises I did today. I am feeling a tad under the weather but that won't change anything.

UPDATE: Being sick is no excuse, but in a way it is. I just walked with my hubby and the monkey boy. In doors and around a store a few times for 2 miles. It took us about 50 minutes. Off to bed early. I have to work in the morning. Good night!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 223 (day 6 / week 32)

I am so proud of myself today! I got up uber early to exercise and did it! I was out of the house around 4:45am and I walked up and down my street shadow boxing with my sculpting gloves on and with 2 lb weights (I think for a total of 3-4 lbs or so). I really liked walking up and down the street. I have no idea how far it was, but I will map it later tonight to find out (I'm pretty curious although it probably isn't very far).

I started out doing alternate overhead shoulder presses, then that turned into alternate bicep curls, and then I did the cross, hook, undercut variation from Turbo Jam that Chalene loves for us to do so much (I love them too).

It feels so great. I feel awake, I have energy and I am happy because I got in 25 minutes of exercise, burning 338 calories, before 5:15 am. Sweet! God blessed me with a good night sleep (thank you Lord!) and with the motivation to do it.

What better than to start your day off with a blessing :). I should bless you guys with my walk and take a picture of the view I have of some of the casinos from our street...really beautiful!

Have a good day everyone! If I do more when I get home (which I plan to) I will post it here! Off to get ready for work!

UPDATE: Not sure what it's worth, but I parked in the farthest place I could find today and walked about a 1/2 mile just to and from my car today (over 1000 steps and yes, I actually counted them! lol). Not much, but it's something and the best way I could find to incorporate exercise into my day. It took me about 15 minutes total (in a dress and heels). It's 8:30 pm and I am bushed, so I am calling it a night so I can get up early again to exercise. I don't have to be in as early (1/2 hr later than today), but I am going to wake up at 4:30am again, just so that I can exercise longer. I still don't know how far I walked this morning. Maybe I will figure it out tomorrow.

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 217 (day 7 / week 31)

Today I am just so exhausted. My hubby set the alarm for 5:30 and I thought I was awake, but I guess not, because I fell back asleep. Yesterday after I got home I felt exhausted and it was hot, so I assumed it was from going from heat to AC to heat to AC for the majority of the day.

This morning I was too tired to walk. I procrastinated until my hubby left for work, and then gave myself a mini pep talk to go exercise. I put on The Firm, Cardio Sculpt and got about 1/2 way through it (31 minutes, 287 calories). I was just so tired that when the Monkey Boy came in from waking up, I welcomed the break and never finished the video.

I am so tired today and I think I just realized why. The last 2 days with eating have been out of whack. I think yesterday did it for me. It was supposed to be an up day, on the calorie cycling, but it ended up being a down day too... it was just one of those days. I didn't think it would matter but I guess it does, because I just feel really tired (it's amazing how our bodies respond properly to lack of food when you start to live healthier than before).

Anyway I am just going to make sure I eat more today, and make today an up day and get back on track with exercise tomorrow after a good night's sleep.

I can't believe the week is almost over. Make today count! I'll be excited to get outside tomorrow as it's only supposed to be 95 for the high. Today should get up to 107 like the past few days.

UPDATE: Since I changed my background, have any of you had any problems seeing my posts? Please let me know if any problems have popped up since I changed things. I'm trying to do some trouble shooting. Thank you!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 181 (day 6 / week 26)

I am quite confused. I really thought today was Monday. *scratches head*. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it's actually Tuesday. lol. Oh well, such is life when you are a stay at home mom.

I had an EXCELLENT workout today. I did The Firm, Cardio Sculpt with my Fanny Lifter again. In 60 minutes, I burned 531 calories (SP told me that with low impact step aerobics I would have burned 649). Anyway, on Sunday (I think) I remember thinking, "She's trying to kill us," during the 2nd go around on the fanny lifter, and I found myself thinking it again today, and I laughed out loud, because I remembered saying it previously in the same exact spot. I thought I was having a bad day or something, but nope, I think Allie is really trying to kill us haha! I picture these little horns underneath her princess pony :).


You can see a 7 minute clip of this workout here. Notice the stepford wives smiles that they give during the intro. My hubby and I watch the intro, just for a good laugh. So funny (no offense to them--I'm sure they laugh at it too)! In all seriousness, I really like these ladies. Allie is a great "master trainer" and I am glad to have this video. She gives us a great workout :) (I'm totally just kidding/teasing about the horns and the smiles).

We do this portion near the end, where we are laying our torsos on the fanny lifter and doing leg work...man, I love this! It reminds me of the evil leg lift/kick things on Slim in 6, but these are better, because...it's not as long, so it doesn't feel like torture lol. You can see a small clip of this during the intro to that 7 minute clip. She has us put a 3lb weight in the crease behind our knee. Great workout!

I hope you all have a great Tuesday. Sheesh, I still can't believe it's Tuesday...

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

UPDATE: I calculated my calories burned for a week (3x walking/4x The Firm=6180/week) and changed my calories burned in sparkpeople, and it increased my food! My new range is 1650-2000 daily. Much better than just 1200...I just hope I can actually eat that much and that I will actually see a result! Yaay!

day 136 (day 3 / week 20)

Let me tell you a tale, a smelly tale, about an ambitious semi-fat girl. She set out on an adventure to lose her butt and instead got lost herself. As she found her way home she sounded the trumpets the entire time--rest assured the dogs knew she was there.

none of that makes sense. lol. it sounded better in my head. oh well :).

Well I did it! A semi-fat girl (myself) who hasn't run in a VERY long time, ran (well jogged)! I didn't get very far, but I tried it, and now I know what I'm capable of (not a whole lot lol).

I set out to walk/jog for 30 minutes, and it turned into 45 minutes. Not bad for a big girl! I started off jogging and made it to the end of our street before stopping--lungs burning, heart pounding--man that was tough. I caught my breath and then kept going. I would walk as fast as I could (HR around 135-140) and then I would jog for 10-15 seconds, and then speed walk again. Toward the end it was getting easier to jog for longer periods of time--30 seconds and more. The last lick I jogged was for over a minute, which isn't bad at all considering I haven't ran in YEARS! The best part was that every time I went to jog (like took a running step), the trumpets would sound, and all the dogs in the area would start barking. I was laughing so hard--it was just so funny to me. Every time I tried to jog I would fart and it was almost with every step. You could hear it echoing between the walls (which is why so many dogs would bark)! TMI but it was funny for me :). My son and hubby would have been right there laughing just as hard as I was. lol.

I got lost. lol. No, not lost...I think I just didn't know where I was (lol, yes that's the definition of lost)--it's a new neighborhood, but I knew I would find my way home, so I don't consider that "lost." I had a plan, and was going up this r.e.a.l.l.y loonog street and then I thought I saw a school and I was hoping it would be a High School, so I could go onto their track, but it was just a stupid park. I walked and walked this different way, for what I thought was great distances, because I was speed walking, ya know, and then I found a street that sounded familiar. So, I took a right and I walked down that one and it took me to Flamingo where I took another right, and found myself literally 1 street away from mine! *grumble* I need to get in my car now and drive what I walked/jogged to see how far I went, cause I know that I didn't just go around the block lol. . That's what it seemed like though, coming off of that street lol.

I worked my butt off today. I am dripping sweat! My HR monitor acted lame, when I was jogging, it said my HR was 52. pssht. then when I finished jogging it said it was 124 but I felt like I was going to push out a lung, I was breathing so hard. *shrugs*

At least I did what I said I was going to do. I jogged! Not very far or very much, but I did it! yaay!

Hope you all have a great weekend! Make it count :)

I can do this. I am a star!

UPDATE: So I clocked it and it was exactly 2 miles, that I jogged/walked today :). My first running goal will be to do the whole thing jogging, and not having to stop! Yaay!

day 91 (day 7 / week 13)

Wednesday 4/1/08

Today is the first and my hubby surprised me this morning by having our extra room cleared out so that I could make it my exercise room.

I set up my "Love Handler" that my hubby bought for me over a year ago, and did that today for about 10 minutes. It works your mid section and is pretty fun :).

I have a picture of me for April 1st, but I forgot my measurements at home. I will update them here later.

I weighed 203.6! yaay! I am really happy to see the numbers drop.

When I have more time I will come back and edit this post to have the rest of the before/after pictures, and measurements. You can click on the label "Measurements" to see my other pictures, to compare the before an after, until I update this.

UPDATE (typed on 4/4/09)

These are my measurements from April 1st as promised. It has been 4 days since I took them, and I haven't been able to compare last month's measurements until now so it was pretty exciting to see the differences. Usually I have them sitting in front of me when I do them, but I don't have the internet access at home to pull up the page to immediately compare. Yaay!

Measurements: (day 90 / day 60 / day 30 / day 10) (- "/# lost in current month)

Wt: 203.6 / 209.8 / 213.4 / 215 (-6.2#) (total lost 11.4#)
Chest: 41" / 42.5" / 43.5" / 43.75"(-1.5") (total lost -2.75")
Waist: 36" / 37.25" / 39" / 41.5" (-1.25") (total lost -5.5")
Hips: 45.5" / 47" / 47.75" / 47.75" (-1.5") (total lost -2.25"
Neck: 13.75" / 13.75" / 14.25" (-0.0") (total lost -0.5")
Under bust: 34.25 / 35" / 36.75" (-0.75") (total lost -2.5")
1" below belly button: 43.25" / 45" / 47.5" (-1.75") (total lost -4.5")
below my bottom (above my thigh): 42" / 42.5" / 44" (-0.5") (total lost -2.0")
R Thigh: 20.5" / 22.5" / 27" (-2.0") (total lost -6.5")
L Thigh: 20.5" / 22.25" / 27.5" (-1.75") (total lost -7.0")
R Calf: 14" / 14" / 14.5" (-0.0") (total lost -0.5")
L Calf: 14.5" / 14.75" / 15.5" (-0.25") (total lost -1.0")
R upper Arm: 11.25" / 12.25" / 14" (-1.0") (total lost -2.75")
L upper Arm: 11.5" / 12" / 13.5" (-0.5") (total lost -2.0")
R wrist: 6" / 6" / 6.25" (-0.0") (total lost -0.25")
L wrist: 6" / 6" /6.25" (-0.0") (total lost -0.25")

In March I lost 6.2 lbs! It's about time! lol I have lost a total of 11.4 lbs since January and I can't complain, especially since the inches are melting off :). What a blessing!!!

In March I lost 12.75" over my entire body combined for a grand total of 40.25" overall throughout my body since January.

This really wants to make me cry, fall on my knees and praise God. I would definitely not be this strong if it weren't for Him. I wouldn't be this consistant if it weren't for Him. I know that I am on my way to a healthier temple for Him and I won't ever have to look back again. I can't believe how far I have come since I started, and it just makes me want to cry (happy tears of course).

Thank you to everyone who is following my transformation. You help me to be accountable and help to keep me on track because I know that there is someone else out there, besides myself that is watching and rooting for me. I really hope it inspires those of you that need it and I just hope that you know that if I can do this, you can too. Just take one day at a time and make it count! Can you imagine where we will be in 3 more months??? How exciting and such a blessing to think about!

We can do this! We are stars!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Jan 2009

Feb 2009

March 2009

April 1, 2009

I can do this. I am a star.