Week 24 - OMG!

 

I have been struggling over the last week with getting back into the swing of things and getting back on my routine.  Two weeks ago I went out of town and the last few days I've been sick :(  I need to get my butt healthy & back into the gym and eating right.  No more excuses!  I know that I feel better when I eat healthy and work out regularly. I just gotta get back at it!

I did have one MAJOR accomplishment this week that I can't wait to share with you all.....I tried on a dress for a friend's wedding coming up in a couple weeks and it was loose.  A size 10 was loose!  I could not believe this.  When I tried on grooms-maid dresses in January I got a size 16...can you believe that!!!!!  OMG I felt so amazing that all the hard-work was actually paying off and seeing results makes you want to keep going to get to the ultimate goal!  I am one dress size closer to my goal and it feels AMAZING!!!

Everyone needs to take time to appreciate their hard-work.  The weight did not mysterically appear one day, so it will not be that easy to come off.  With hard-work, dedication and committment it IS possible!  I cannot wait to meet my goals and continue to live a healthy lifestyle!

• Next weeks goals - Get my booty back in the gym!!  I only have 5 weeks until my friends wedding and I have to be able to fit into the dress!  I want to be able to show off all the hard work I've done over the last few months! 

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 158.2

Total Weight Loss: 16.8

Week 23 - "Mental Refresher"

This weekend I went on a mini-vacation with my boyfriend.  We had a GREAT time and it was much needed!  To escape our normal lives and just get away was so nice!  It is what I am calling my "mental refresher"!  Everyone needs one of those now and then!!

Now that I am back to reality it is time to get my butt back in gear!  I allowed myself to eat what I wanted over the last few days.  It was nice to not be so strict with myself and just let go.  I still took my supplements and stuck to drinking as much water as I could.  But I did have my first alcoholic drink in over 2 months...and honestly I didn't miss it that much.  It was WAY too sugary.  I won't be doing that again for a while.  It just isn't worth it to me.

I am getting closer and closer to my goals that I want to continue with what I've been doing and continue to push myself.  Each day I want to do a little better than I did the day before!  Each and every day I wake up I am blessed with another opportunity to make it a better day!  I want to take full advantage of that!

• Next weeks goals - Get back on track with food and working out.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....just gotta keep pushing and fighting to get there!  

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 160.4

Total Weight Loss:  14.6

Week 22 - New Challenges

This week I started personal training to push myself to the next level.  I have done well so far with eating better, and working out, but I really wanted that extra push...and I definitely got that!  I am feeling muscles that I didn't know even existed...and it feels great!

I took another picture and measurements to show any progress that I've accomplished so far.  (See below).  I want to make sure that I have a picture of this journey that I'm on.  At first, I was disappointed because the picture doesn't look much different from the picture that was taken in October.  But after looking at difference in the measurements it proves that I have lost 13.6 pounds, and my clothes should be fitting differently!!  So things are definitely improving - it just takes time.  It's important to know where you came from and how hard you're working to get where you want to be.  The critical thing is to make changes in your life that will stay and allow for a healthier you!

• Next weeks goals - Continue to eat better and track food.  Keep pushing myself in the gym and try new things.  Be proud of myself for the accomplishments I've made.  I didn't gain the weight overnight, so I cannot expect it to be gone overnight.  I am making lifelong changes and as a dear friend of mine tells me often "Keep swimming, just keep swimming"!

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 161.4

Total Weight Loss:  13.6

Before picture:      

    

Current picture:

 

Beginning Measurement: 

• Left arm = 12 3/4
• Right arm = 13 1/4
• Chest = 40
• Waist = 41 1/2
• Hips = 43 1/4
• Left thigh = 25 1/2
• Right thigh = 26 1/2
• Left calf = 16 1/4
• Right calf = 16 1/2

Current Measurements:

• Left arm = 12 1/4 (down by 1/2")
• Right arm = 12 1/4 (down by 1")
• Chest = 39 1/8 (down by 7/8")
• Waist = 38 12 (down by 3")
• Hips = 42 1/4 (down by 1") 
• Left thigh = 23 3/8 (down by 2 1/8")
• Right thigh = 23 3/8 (down by 3 1/8")
• Left calf = 16 1/2 (up by 1/4")
• Right calf = 16 1/2 (stayed same)

Total inches lost to-date = 11 3/8"!!!!!!

Week 21 - Give Yourself a Pat on the Back

This week was another great week!  I continue to work-out and eat healthy but the real success is finally feeling comfortable with what I'm doing.  Being active and eating healthy are going to be a part of my life from this day forward, and I feel very confident in this statement.  Finally came to the realization that this is not a fad, or a diet, but rather a lifestyle change.  I want to be a healthy friend, daughter, girlfriend and someday a wife and mother.  The changes must start today!

My initial goal this year was to lose 12 pounds in 12 weeks...well, I'm happy to announce that I am down 12.6 pounds in 8 weeks!  My new goal is to lose 15 pounds by a friends wedding in April which is 7 weeks away, and then 20 pounds by another friends wedding in 9 weeks.  I think both of these goals are reasonable and completely doable if I continue down the path I'm currently on.

• Next weeks goals - Keep challenging myself in the gym.  I begin personal training on Friday so that'll be a challenge.    

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 162.4

Total Weight Loss:  12.6



Week 20 - Knowing what success feels like

 

This week was not as successful as I wanted it to be with working out and eating healthy.  I struggled with food this week and had to miss a couple workouts due to other commitments.  BUT I do feel successful this week because I actually was upset with not being able to make it to the gym and workout as hard as I wanted.  That is a TOTAL win for me to actually want to work out!  I think once you find something that you really enjoy doing to workout - you totally should keep doing that! A workout should be fun and entertaining and make you sweat at the same time :-)

Even though my eating was not the healthiest this week and I missed a couple workouts I still managed to lose 1.4 pounds this week!  Taking my grand total of weight loss to 10.6 pounds in the last 7 weeks!!!!  Now that is a success worth celebrating!

 

Today is an opportunity to reverse the mistakes from yesterday!  Be blessed that we were all given another day and the chance to make things right.

• Next weeks goals - Get back on track with food and make smart, healthy choices.   Begin to track food again so I can see where I am struggling.  Keep up with my workouts and continue to try new things.  

 

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 164.4

Total Weight Loss:  10.6



 

Week 19 - Determination

Another successful week!  This week I challenged myself to try something new.  I did a toning class and also did a cycling class.  Both were hard, but it was great to try something different & be successful at them. 

 

I am continuing to feel better and see a slight difference in my appearance.  The biggest win for me this week was the fact that I had to put a belt on with an older pair or jeans!  Sounds silly but those jeans were almost too tight for me a few weeks ago and now they are practically falling down!  Score!!!

 

I am having some difficulty staying on target with food. Going to the gym after work puts me home after 7pm and I feel too tired to prepare a proper meal.  I went through the drive-thru too many times last week.  I am making healthier choices when I go to a fast food restaurant, but still isn't the right decision.  Need to get this habit in check. 

• Next weeks goals - Get back on track with food and make smart, healthy choices.  Take a few extra minutes each day to stretch.  My muscles are getting stronger, but they need to stay flexible and not tight - stretching is KEY. 

Beginning Weight: 175

Current Weight: 165.8

Total Weight Loss:  9.2

Week 18 - Strength

This week was great!  I worked out 7 days this week and I'm actually starting to feel and see a difference!!!  I am getting definition back in my arms and shoulders and am noticing my clothes fitting a little better!  Working out and eating better have truly made a WORLD of difference, but actually seeing results make it worth it :-)

 

One thing I am going to do differently this week is to begin to mix up my workout routine and see if I can push myself harder to achieving my goals! 

 

I really want to lose 8 pounds in 8 weeks.  That will put me 15 pounds down this year.  That is my goal for the next two months, and in order to achieve that I need to stay focused, and keep on track.   I know if I put my mind to it - anything is possible!

• Next weeks goals - Stay on track with food and make smart, healthy choices.  Push myself harder in the gym and see what see how far I can go! 

Beginning Weight: 175

 

 

 

Current Weight: 168

 

Total Weight Loss:  7