week 13

Sometimes it seems so easy, and sometimes it seems super hard! For some reason the beginning of the week seems so simple. I usually lose about 3 pounds between Sunday and Wednesday and then my body seems to like stop! Which, three pounds a week, well it's my goal. This week though for some reason I gained back two pounds. This week was a whopping 1.2 pounds lost, but hey I didn't gain.

I did change something up a little. Noah and I watch a great documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. It was great and I loved watching it. It geared Noah and I up for some juicing. Now when I used to think of juicing, I used to think Juice it up, or Jamba juice. Delicious and full of....sugar! Well this was a different type of juice. Any fruit and any vegetable juice. No sugar, no flavors, just raw veggies and fruit. We decided to try and juice for our dinners. So far we have done four nights and I actually enjoyed it. That is except for the onion, that was a bad idea.

After hitting up Costco and trying to get as much organic as I could we had a stocked fridge.

So here is to a better week!!!

week 12

So I think today is week 12?! It doesn't seem like I started that long ago. So many things have changed for me though. I love that I almost never get that "stuffed" feeling after I eat. I never feel sick. Of course I say almost never because there was the night with the pazookie! haha I will never do that again! Did I mention I ate it at one in the morning?! YUCK!!


I did have this picture on one of Pinterest boards and it helped me stay focused even when I felt like nothing was changing.

I see myself everyday and so I don't always feel like I have changed that much. Many friends have started noticing and their compliments have made me feel great. Definitely praying for humility through those comments, but who doesn't love being told "you are melting!"


This past Friday my mom invited me to a chocolate boutique. Now my first reaction was chocolate? I can't be around chocolate! That is my weak spot. And it doesn't matter what form it comes in....cookie, candy, covered...it's all AMAZING! I wanted to spend some time with her and my sister so I went making sure that day I had left some calories. Luckily they had coffee. So I filled up on a nonfat decaffeinated coffee. Then I had two pieces of sugar free chocolate and finally some plain strawberries and pineapple. Now before, I would have covered all that in the chocolate fountain like the rest of the ladies, but I was grateful I didn't. The only bad part was that the next day I was CRAVING MORE! Yep I can't believe how that stuff is addicting.


I have been running more and decided that I wanted to set a new goal for myself. I want to run 15 miles a week. Right now I am averaging eight, so I want to step it up a little. My fitbit tells me that I need to burn 2800 calories a day, and it seems like I fall short of that almost everyday. Running is a great way to burn more calories and if one day I want to run a half marathon then I need to step it up!


This week I lost another 3 pounds. I kind of feel like I have been able to keep up with these biggest loser contestants. I know some of the ladies lose around 5-7, but some lose 3 pounds a week and I think the last few weeks I have been doing that. Well actually it has been the last two....well anyway it is something haha!


I have been procrastinating on this but here is an updated picture of myself.

and here is a side by side...

                 week 6 vs. week 12

weekend weigh in

It has been a super busy week. So I apologize for not being able to post my weekly update yesterday. I Hope you didn't think I quit and started stuffing myself with oreos!! Even though that may sound good to have at least one, I am still chugging along! Something that I have come to realize is this is a lifestyle now. It is not temporary, it's forever! My body would probably still eat cookies, but mind is telling me something different. I am desiring to put healthy foods into my body! Now of course not every little thing is, but for the most part, I am making great choices. I am learning new things that I never really wanted to know. Like eating carbs after lunch is bad. My husband said "they stick to the inside of your body like glue." EWW! That is such a disgusting image to me, so I have been trying to make all of our complex carb meals for lunch instead of dinner. Rice, pasta, heavy breads..those kinds.

If you read my post on Friday about me and the hubster celebrating our anniversary, then you would know that he is AMAZING and got me the new fitbit. It is a very accurate pedometer that is super high tech. It not only monitors every step/stair I take, but it monitors my sleep habits. Tells me how many times I woke up in the middle of the night. How much sleep I actually got. It also is super small and just clips to the middle of my bra. I just have to walk close to my computer where the docking station is located and it will automatically upload my information to the computer. It tells me exactly how many calories I burned during the day and then I just log my food to show how much I ate. Brilliant. Noah did have to help me get started. I never understand all those informational guides. I just need it given to me simple and quick. Even then it might have to be repeated a few times...sorry babe!

So with this little gadget, I have now set some pretty high goals for myself. I want to lose three pounds every week. That will put me at my ultimate goal by June 25th. Now I know I may hit some plateaus but with the fitbit I know exactly what is going in and out, so therefor I should have a better chance of staying on track.
Each day I need to burn 2800 calories, and eat 1350.
I really should have the company send me a free one for how much I love and talk this thing up to people. Maybe I'll call them up...it never hurts to ask! Haha.

Yesterday I weighed in at 181.2. That is 25.8 pounds lost!

I will hopefully have a picture for you next week. I haven't forgot about that fun little thing....{cough cough}

Our Biggest loser group is also going great. The first week I was the second to last in weight loss...boo, but this week it made me step it up and I was in the top ten. These ladies are tough to beat. It makes me so happy though to have some friendly competition. I have the potential to win $400, so I keep imaging going to Ikea and buying my new counter tops with that money. Then I will have another great thing to share with you, so root for me, would ya?!

weekend weigh in

I have officially hit 10 weeks! I began this journey determined in my mind that I was going to once and for all lose this weight and lead a healthy lifestyle. Well I have had that determination before and have always given up. I can't explain how I feel different, but I just do. One example of how I know things are different is I had it in my mind that I was going to not count my calories for Friday night and enjoy a date night with my husband. Well when we went out to dinner I had the chance and I picked something healthy. I snagged some chili fries that were on the table and I only wanted a few bites. I was actually not craving any of them. I knew right then and there that something in my brain has clicked and I am finally getting it.

Last week I shared with you that I was starting a Biggest Loser challenge. Well here's the details!

We started a 10 week challenge with 26 ladies in our area that are looking to lose weight and get healthy. We call ourselves the High Desert Mom's Losing it! It was a $25 fee to join the group. Each week everyone will text me their weight and we will have a weekly winner based on the highest percentage of weight loss. The weekly winner gets $15 cash! At the end of the 10 weeks we will have a runner up who gets to take home $100 and a grand prize "LOSER" who takes home a whopping $400!!  I feel like that is some added motivation for me and hopefully for them!

My mother in law thought it was a great idea too and started her own team this week. We will be having friendly weigh in challenges to boast which team won the highest percentage of weight loss. My hubby is also putting together a couple of biggest loser style games for us to play throughout the competition.

I am so excited to meet some new ladies and hopefully encourage them to change their lives!

So as for me, this week has been great. I lost another 1.2 pounds since last week. I weighed in at 184.8 today. Slowly but surely I am losing this weight. I feel good and can't wait to get to my new goal of 136. I am not sure if I have shared a weight goal with you, but it might be different than the last time so there it is...136. Now I obviously have no idea if my body will go that low. I have never been that small. Active in high school I was 143. Plus that was before babies.

Another great thing that is happening is compliments. People who know I have been trying, but they have made me feel great this week. So thank you Lisa and Denette! That encourages me to keep going and reach my goals.

I went shopping for a pedometer as I told you last week and was so happy to use it. Day two I washed it! BUMMER! Well I dried it out in a bag of rice so now I have to grab a new battery and see if it still works. Maybe I should have gotten a watch type? Hmm...well maybe next time.

I am going to push myself to lose at least 3 pound this week. Yep I am blasting myself..so no extra goodies this week ;)

Weekly Weigh In

Let me start of by saying I'm sick. Not the throwing up that could actually help me lose weight, but the I'm achy all over and can still feed my appetite kind!


This week has been a very frustrating one to say the least. I have fluctuated my weight between a couple of pounds and as of this morning I weighed in at 186.2. It's a plus that I almost lost another pound when this week was over. Seeing the scale go up this week then having to lose what I already lost and then some, is the frustrating part!


I have been back at eating my normal 1500 calories a day and not calculating my workouts. So I am consuming around 1200 a day is my guess. I just ordered a pedometer to help me know a more exact number of calories that I am loosing each day. The Omron HJ-203 Pedometer with Activity Tracker from Amazon.

It was only $12.50 with free shipping. I got it in black which is the cheapest, but if you want to spend a little bit more you can get a pink, yellow, or purple one. I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I want to try it out first. If I use it and see that I could benefit from a better one, then I will beg my hubby for this one that I have had my eye on.

This beauty is a brand new pedometer/heart rate monitor. The Fitbit Ultra Wireless Activity Plus Sleep Tracker by Fitbit. This is also $99. So you can see why the husband said no (at first).

My week looked great despite the .8

of a pound weight loss.


Sunday~ ran my week 4 day 3 on the couch to 5K app
Monday~ Kettle Bell workout
Tuesday~ ran 2 miles
Wednesday~ Kettle Bell workout
Thursday~ No workout
Friday~ Ran week 5 day 1 on the couch to 5K app
Saturday~ Boot camp
Sunday~ Rested bc of sickness :(


I want to take good care of my body so I will take off a few days of working out. Maybe that will shock my body and loose maybe 2 pounds this week.


I also found an awesome dinner recipe that I tried last night and it delicious, so I wanted to share!

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion
• 2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder, divided
• 1 bag (14 ounces) frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup frozen mixed bell pepper strips
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro + 4 sprigs for garnish
• 4 boneless, skinless salmon fillets (4 ounces), about 1" thick (I used Tilapia)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

 

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 450ºF.

2.Heat the oil over medium heat in a large ovenproof skillet or shallow stovetop-to-oven baking dish. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.

 

3.Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the chili powder and stir to blend. Add the corn and bell pepper strips. Cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 3 minutes, or until the vegetables are no longer icy. Stir in the chopped cilantro. Spread the vegetables in an even layer.

4.Sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon chili powder evenly on the fish. Place, chili side up, on the vegetables. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

5. Place in the oven and roast for about 12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque. Serve each fillet on a bed of vegetables and garnish with a cilantro sprig.

 

It was very delicious and approved by Noah!

 

Something new that is starting this week is a Biggest Loser contest between some friends. I am excited to get some support and hopefully win some money while I am losing weight. I figure I will NEVER gain this weight again, therefore never have an opportunity to be apart of a contest like this again. So why not join one. I couldn't find one that I could join so I started one. I will fill you in next week with more details.

 

Week End Weigh In

I feel so out of the loop. Well only when it pertains to the blogging/facebook world! I have taken a break from logging on everyday and reading through some of my favorite blogs and I took facebook off of my phone so I wouldn't check it....um I don't know....30 times a day. I know, a huge addiction that was taking over my life. So instead this past week I spent a lot of time doing something I never thought I would actually fall in love with. Hopefully knowing that this is my weekly check in with my favorite blog reading friends, you would know it has to pertain to losing weight. EXERCISING! Yep I said it. I will exercise, but fall in love with it?! NAH! That was not my thing. That seemed to only be for healthy, fit women. Not me.  My girlfriend even said to me "wow you said you would never love to exercise." I agreed with her. I never in a million years,  pigs would fly before I actually desired to workout for the enjoyment of it.

I even had a day where I ran/walked my normal two miles, then came home and didn't feel complete so I allowed Ms. Jillian Michaels to kick my butt for 20 minutes. I felt amazing. I feel amazing. I get excited to do my workout for the day. Rather than it being a chore, I actually can't wait to do it again.

I made a few changes last week to my diet. I switched my daily calorie intake from 1500 to 1350. MyFitnessPal automatically asked me to change it about two weeks ago and I panicked. I wasn't ready then but this past week I thought I should try it. It actually isn't that big of a difference. It really makes me cautious of when I am cooking dinner. That tends to be my biggest meal of the day. Instead of the normal 500-600 calorie dinner, I try to find something that is more 400-500.

I am most excited about the amount of exercise I did last week. Three days of running/walking, and three days of aerobic/weight lifting workouts.
 
I almost forgot the most exciting thing that happened. (I know I say that a lot), but really this was the most exciting. So I told you last week that I was going to buy Bob Harper's Kettle Bell workout DVD, well here is the verdict. I love Jillian and have been very partial to her for a couple of years now, but I think I have found a new love. Not sure if it is Bob or the Kettle Bell part of it, but with them combined....L.O.V.E!

You know when the contestants on the Biggest Loser show say "I'm gonna be sick" or they actually throw up? Yeah! That really happens. My kids sat and watched me at my first attempt of the Kettle Bell workout and towards the end they asked me if they should call daddy or 911 if I pass out. I looked that bad. I genuinely felt as though I was going to lose all the food I ate that day! It was awesome!!

Second workout with him was much better. I finished without feeling like I was going to throw up and really fell in love with the Kettle Bell workout. I started with an 8 lb. Kettle Bell. I will probably progress to a 15 soon, but 8 was a perfect place for me to begin to learn the idea.
Today when I woke up I ran to my scale to see how much weight I have lost and sadly it was not was I hoping for. A quick recap. Last week on Monday I only had .6 pounds to lose to hit 20lbs. The next day I did lose exactly .6 lbs. Then two days later I was down an additional 1.2 lbs. A total of 21.4 lbs. Happy right?!! Yes until the next couple of days when the scale started going up!! I have been getting kind of discouraged but all I can think is that because of the new weight lifting/aerobic exercising that I have now added, that I am gaining more muscle. Noah keeps reminding me that it will come off and I need to keep going and stay positive. I love for him for that. By the way, he has lost 13 pounds in his journey. I am so proud of him.

So today I weighed in at 187. I hate writing that, just so you know. But I need to track it week by week so I can look back and see the progress. In addition, it's just easier for my brain rather than doing math :)


Oh man okay...here it is...Week 8 picture...

Next week I am truly hoping for a big amount of weight loss, but for now I will continue to fall more in love with working out and finding new ways to keep it new and fresh!

Week End Weigh In

So yesterday was a pretty big milestone for me. I hit my 50 day mark of eating healthy and changing my life. I have never went this long! Whoo Hoo!!!! Can you tell I am excited?! I also have some great changes that have taken place that I can't wait to share...so here it is.

A couple of days ago I was driving and noticed a weird feeling that I have not experienced I think....EVER!
I could actually feel room inside my pant leg! HA! Do you know what I am saying? My jeans always fit..I mean F.I.T! FIT!! They are tight in all areas. So I was so excited when I could actualy feel room inside my pants. Okay I know that sounds overly dramatic...but that is what I am DRAMATIC!

Second I have lost another 1.8 pounds this week. I am .4 of a pound away from losing the BIG 2-0!! I can't wait. I have been setting some goals for myself and one is to lose another 37 pounds. I have realized that my life is too important to just let it go by without loving every minute. I know being DRAMATIC, does not make that easy for me, but I am going to do my best and enjoy every second with my family. My weight has not allowed me to do that. I have waisted too many years complaining and being unhappy. Something my husband said to me was " I don't care how you look, I care how it makes you feel." I have spent many days complaining about the way I look and I think he has heard enough complaining.

I am going to buy a new DVD today. Bob Harper's Kettle bell.

I can't wait to try it out. I am starting out with an eight pound kettle bell, which I have been advised I will not like. A friend of mine suggested that I start with a 25 pound kettle bell. Kettle bells are different from hand weights. Kettle bells are swung using more of your hips and core, where hand weights are all about arm strength. I don't know about you, but my upper body strength stinks! I think I am going to LOVE the kettle bells. I will let you know next week how it goes and if I had to head back to the store for a heavier kettle bell.

 A quick tip to maybe help you drink more water is to buy a "special cup." I don't know what it is, but I have found that if I drink out of my Starbucks cup, I will drink a ton more water verses drinking out of a regular cup. Plus I can always take it with me wherever I go. You don't have to get a Starbucks one, but many stores carry them. Drinking from this cup has encouraged me to drink about 3-4 of these a day.

Week End Weigh In

Sorry I am just getting this out today. I really want to make sure I send the weeks installment of Week End Weigh In each Monday so I can stay consistent, but yesterday was a very special day for us. If you didn't get a chance to read...scroll down and check out what we celebrated!

As for the last week it has been a little sad to me. I only lost 1 pound. A little dissappointing for sure but it hasn't stopped me from feeling great! A total of 17.4 pounds down. This last week I ran three times and worked out with my favorite friend, Jillian Michaels! I made asked Noah to do it with me. I don't think he enjoys it as much as I do...hehe! But he was a great husband trying to support me. I also went running with him yesterday for the first time since getting back into running. I really enjoyed it. There were only a couple times he ran funny to stay with me. You know his legs are twice my length and I don't know what it is with guys! It's like they say "Oh I am going to try and lose some weight"...and BAM!....down 30 pounds! and "I'm gonna start excersing"....and BAM! They can run a marathon!

I have to admit though I totally cheated Sunday. You know it was super bowl and I kind of prepared by taking some nice juicy oranges with me so I would snack on those. Haha When my tummy saw those Reeses Pieces, they didn't even know what an orange was! I came home to find out that I roughly ate over by 700 calories that day. Sad but the next morning I weighed myself and gained nothing so I was definitley encouraged that one day of messing up in a month is not so bad!

So I am trying to prolong this, but last week I promised I would be posting pictures and telling my weight! AHHHH! I am feeling a little queezy!! Okay here it goes. As of yesterday I weighed in at 189.6 {cough, cough} You do the math to figure out where I started because I have said too much already!

So here is a picture from Sunday, because this will be the picture that will be shown for this post. As brave as I am for showing you, I am not wanting to see myself in a tight fitting outfit on facebook...if you know what I mean?!

Okay so I am throwing it all out on the table...okay the interent. I don't even have makeup on! Now that's love!

I can't wait to be able to have this journey documented and see a picture of me looking like this in a couple of months

Well a girl can dream...can't she?!

Week End Weigh In

Okay guys so I hit my one month mark last Thursday and have been going strong since! I was even tempted with my favorite Girl Scout Cookie...Carmel Delights, and I passed on enjoying one of those delicious 70 calorie cookies! I will hopefully be able to post a picture next week and get a little more detailed about my weight loss. I just keep thinking about the Biggest Loser contestants in those horrific sports bras on national television..um No Thank you! But I do want to be a little more honest just so my end results of this journey are more dramatic! I chose to throw myself out there and to have you all keep me accountable and that is what I am trying to do.
So this week I am down another 3 pounds at a total of 16.6 pounds. I will have to put my weight on here, but I might start next week. Haha. I have to say that is the scariest part for me, but if I am going to do this, I need to do it all the way!
My little Charlie started running with me this week and it has been very fun having her right by my side. We went out three days and I have to say I am loving it. Last time I attempted this a year ago, I dreaded getting on the treadmill, but now running outside has been amazing. I am on week three, day 1 and will complete that today. If you are wanting to run, but don't know where to start? Then the couch to 5K is a perfect place. I know that the Droid has a similar app as well.
My other goal this week is to incorporate at least two days of Jillian workout videos. I have a love/hate relationship with her. I love that her videos are only 20 minutes and I love the fact that I have hard time sitting on the toilet. Okay that might have been too much information, but for those of you who have done her video, know EXACTLY what I am talking about. Now on the flip side I hate that it is hard..enough said! But who doesn't want to look like this

Week End Weigh In

Week End Weigh In!! So it has been another week of my journey for a healthy life! It has not been easy , but I am continuing this with determination and prayers! Lots and lots of prayers. My aunt was just sending me some pictures of us from over 10 years ago! I can't believe the change that has occurred! Well my desire is to be closer to where I used to be. Except with healthier food choices. This was when you ate whatever and gained nothing!

Funny I thought I would always look like this :)

I have stayed on the 1500 intake and added some exercising like I was shooting for. I began training for a 5K that I have been wanting to accomplish for about 2 years now. I am using the couch to 5K app on my iPhone. It helps you progress your running by doing intervals of walking and running for a course of 8 weeks. I do this every other day. I ran four days this week.

I did lose four more pounds and I am hopeful to lose more weight this week. My plan is to check in with you each Sunday to track this journey! I appreciate everyone's support and I truly hope by my honesty you too will be encouraged.

My weight loss journey

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I posted about my 2012 goals? Well I wanted to stay current with one of those goals. What better accountability for my weight loss journey than all of you reading this. So if there comes a day when you haven't read up on my healthy choices than feel free to ask about it. Because I know if I am not posting its because I have let food over take me once again! Wow I feel like maybe I should delete, delete, delete! But I can't! I really want nothing more than to become a healthy role model for my children. That in itself gives me strength to go on each day. Having you as my accountability partners definitely ups the anti!!
So yesterday was my 21 first day of eating healthy and staying at my 1500 calories a day mark. I have been told that it takes 21 days to create a new habit, so that is why I am so happy to see that 21st first day. More Hope.  I have to admit the first two weeks were great. I felt amazing and never had the desire to eat more than my 1500 calories. Then week three hit! You know for us ladies there is just that week that ALL food looks amazing and your body has this uncontrollable desire to eat everything chocolate?! Well that was me last week. I still never went over my calorie allowance for the day, however I found myself eating extra chocolate that I didn't need to eat. My weight did not drop. I actually gained one pound back! AH FRUSTRATION!! However the words of my son and now of God telling me that I can do all things through Him that strengthens me, helped me each day to make that decision to eat healthy and continue on.
So as of right now I feel so amazing to have gotten through that rough patch. The main reason being is that I am actually desiring to eat healthy!  I love vegetables. I cook them in almost everything. I liked them before but they were not priority. I have even noticed that my kids are eating them more. I have been open and honest with them about being healthy and taking care of the bodies that God entrusted us with. We still struggle to get out of those bad habits, like wanting something quick for lunch. Boxed food or quick snacks. I have been cooking and baking snacks and almost all of our food. We have never really been big fast food eaters, however now when we are making that choice, we will grab subway. Well we did the one time we went out for fast food. haha.
I am not posting any pictures yet, because I am only down 9 pounds. I will try to update once a week in hopes to encourage some of you. I have also started working out. That is something I have not done since the kids started homeschooling. So last week two workouts in and this week hopefully more! I will be in touch.