Progress Pic!

196!!!

So I have been M.I.A. for a bit on this blog. I have been updating a lot more on my Tumblr page.

So I am down to 196! Which means I am 16 pounds down from this summer! My friend Tracy commented on it last night. I was nice to hear that someone can see the results, because when I look in the mirror I still feel 212lbs.

Hooray!!!!!  Hopefully I can maintain over he holidays, but Christmas only comes once a year so I am not going to deprive myself. However once I get back January 2 I will be back to the gym and such. Getting closer to my sister's wedding. I should see if her dress fits me yet. I haven't tried it on since early October.

My boss got me a Fitbit for Xmas which track the steps you take and the calories your burn. So that will help me once I start cracking down again in the New Year. It's crazy to see how many steps you take. I can't wait to start setting goals and such!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I bought new running shoes!

I recently noticed that my old running shoes were getting so bad my toe starting sticking out of the side. So I got new shoes over the weekend and have been pumped about trying to working them in. I have been going to the gym, taking hikes on my lunch break, and doing stretches in my living room.

I didn't lose any weight this week, but I stayed the same so that is better then gaining. I want so bad to get out of the 200s. I am so close. I am going to work my ass off this week so I can get there.

My bridesmaids dress comes in in December and I am adamant on making it fit me. I have been a size 13-14 for as long as I can remember, however somehow over the past year I became a size 16. I ordered the dress in my usual size 14 so I am praying I fit in it when it comes. I am actually hoping it is too big on me so I have to  take it in! Wouldn't that be a great feeling?!

I want this body. I have a long way to go. I ordered a book by Jillian Michaels recently that I can't wait to read. She has such a no bullshit/no excuses attitude. That is what I need.

I recently finished a book called Half-Assed. It is about a women who was 372lbs and lost half her body weight! How incredible is that! I obviously don't need to lose have my body weight, but it still helped to read it.

These two photos sum up what I have wanted forever.  have never had a flat stomach. I have had rolls for as long as I can remember. I was probably born with a fat roll. Until recently, I came to terms with the fact that I would always be chubby. But now after reading people's weight loss blogs and reading, I am feeling motivated that I will actually be able to do this.

The girl is my starting weight and end goal. I hope I can achieve this by next summer. Fingers crossed and gym shoes on!

30 Day Shred

Last night I did the 30 Day shred by Jillian Michaels for the first time. It was killer. It isn't very long (about 25 minutes), but you bust your ass the entire time. I liked it and I am definitely feeling it today.

Usually I use the elliptical and then lift weight and finish with stretches, but last night I did a lot of lunges, squats, and more that I have been forgetting about and now my muscles can feel where I have been slacking off. I am going to try and incorporate her workouts into my week more often.

I love her!

9 pounds down!

Boy was I surprised when I got on the scale on Saturday and saw that I have lost 9 pounds so far. Even though I fell off the wagon as far as exercising goes last week. I still ate pretty good for the most part. I only went to the gym one day. I did some weight lifting and stretching in my living room over the weekend.

It probably also helps that I went to the San Diego Zoo on Saturday and Sunday which involved a LOT of walking up and down hills. I have been pretty good about eating great during the week and eating want I want over the weekend.

I didn't think I was really losing anything, once it is hard to tell when you see yourself everyday. I haven't done any measurements since I don't have a measuring tape, but I can feel my shorts getting a bit looser.

I am going to make this week count!

Here are some quotes for today:

It's September!!

Yay, it's September! Fall is almost here! I am ready for summer to be over!

So I had feel off the wagon a bit last week. It was Labor Day weekend and I went away to San Diego for the weekend and I may have splurged a bit too much. Now it is time to get back on track.

One of my fellow bloggers, Kayla suggested a Xmas challenge of losing 30 pounds before Christmas. It's a reasonable goal. It will be tough though since the anti-diet trifecta is coming up (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas). But I am going to join her and see what happens. 30 pounds is closer to my goal weight. However, I think my goal will change as my body does.

Recently, I have been cutting out pictures and tips from my health magazines and putting them into a journal. This way I can look back at them and inspire myself and then I don't have to hold on to a bunch of magazines.  Win, Win!

Some more inspiration:

I worked out a little too hard

Two days ago I decided to climb stairs near my work on my lunch break. The stairs are steep and their are about 80 of them... I did it twice, then went to the gym to work out my legs.

Bad news bears!

Now my calves are sore as hell. I couldn't work out yesterday so I laid on the couch and watch TV with ice packs on my calves. They still hurt today. Last time I do that.

Here are a few before/after photos that I find inspiring and make me believe I can do this:

Criss rocks!

Kayla rocks!

Kelly Osbourne! Love her!

Also who doesn't want this butt?

Have a great weekend!

I would be skinny if pasta and cheese were good for you

True Story.

Well I didn't lose much this week, only a half a pound. Considering I went on a camping trip and didn't count calories, I am glad I maintained and still still lost a little. Usually vacations are a recipe for me to gain at least 5 pounds. So kudos to me for not gaining and getting in some exercising while I camped.

I did great as far as the gym went last week. I worked out everyday after work except Mondays when I play kickball. I have been making sure to go on a pre-game run this way I can add a little more cardio to my Mondays.

So I got the new issue of Shape and Self in the mail. I know a lot of fitness people have issues with these types of magazines, however for me they are a source of motivation. If I slip up or forget to work out, then I see one of these mags in my mailbox it will remind me to work out.

I have read a TON of weight loss stories recently which are really inspiring. I believe I can actually lose weight by next May. Fingers Crossed.

MANTRA: I need one to tell myself everyday. Any thoughts? What kind of mantras do people have?

Here are a few more photos of inspiration:

Week 2 - 31 pounds to go, so far so good

4 pounds down.

So here we are 2nd day of the second week. So far so good.

Last week I kept track of everything on my Lose It! app and worked out 3 nights for at least 1 hour and lost 4 pounds!

I have committed to a strict 1450 calorie a day diet and exercise during the week and then something a little more relaxed on the weekend. This way if I mess up on the weekend, I know I have to get back on the horse on Monday. In the past I tried to eat perfect and exercise 7 days a week and the
second I messed up I never went back. So I'm thinking this is more realistic. I am hoping that over time I will develop a habit of healthy eating and exercise and I will be able to do this 7 days a week.


So after my first post I got some great feedback from some friends and family members. I also got some great tips.

My cousin, Amy suggested I listen to Jillian Michaels podcast, so I am currently listening to that all day today at work on my headphones. it is a nice change from my iTunes playlists.

She also gave me a few quotes I love:

I also recruited 2 friends to help me: Beth and Katie

Beth is a member of the same gym as me. We work out together often, she is also a super healthy vegan. She has offered to give me some tips and help me stay motivated.

Katie is also trying to get in shape. So we have committed to checking in with each other every Monday as well as keep in touch via email/texts during the week to share any tips.

I think having some friend's support and having to be accountable is going to make a big difference.

Could I possibly run a marathon?   Hmmmm, I don't know. I have looked in to doing a marathon. I can't run for more than 10 minutes, so maybe I can walk a marathon? I saw that there are a few coming up in January. I am thinking about joining one of those training groups who prepares for marathons. I have seen a ton of weight loss success stories where people got in shape by running and preparing for a marathon. So that's an idea.

Well that is all for now.