Week 34

Start weight: 247

Current weight: 188

Total loss: 59

Wow....in the 180's this week!

59lbs seems like such a big number, SO close to 60lbs!

I'm feeling so much like I did when I lost weight last time, in a good way.

The compliments are back and I feel confident!

It's really happening this time!

Trying on Larges that fit makes me smile :)

And trying on old clothes that I bought 1 & 2 years ago that fit, or fit again are a huge victory!

                                                                                    

Left:August 2009 (194lbs)                      Right:March 2012 (188lbs)

Looking forward to another great week and hitting that 60lbs lost mark!

MOTIVATION: Compliments

In 2009 when I lost weight, repeat guests at the hotel I was working at would congratulate me on my loss and tell me I looked great. That kept me motivated to keep working out and eating right. Then I started a new job where no one knew that I had lost weight, they just knew me as the cute new delivery girl.

Then I gained weight and the compliments went away.

Fast forward to October of 2011, I had lost 40lbs and was wondering where the compliments were.

I mean I lost 40lbs! How did no one notice??

I got a little discouraged. 

At the same time my husband had lost 20lbs getting really close to his ideal weight, people made such a big deal about how good he looked since losing weight again. And I thought "What am I, chopped liver?!?"

Granted it was colder outside and I was wearing last years XXL hoodie.

But I know I should be proud, not jealous...I just kept on trucking and made it to the 50lb mark and people really started noticing.

People I never knew that noticed me before, were noticing me now.

It makes me feel amazing when people let me know that they can see the results of my hard work.

Wearing shorts this week has opened up the floodgates for compliments :)

Week 33

Start weight: 247

Current weight: 190.8

Total loss: 56.2

A great week!

I went to the gym 4 days this week.

Monday for kick and a mile walk.

Tuesday for Zumba.

Wednesday for Spin then Active. Crazy hard to do back-to-back!

Thursday for my 5k trial run and Zumba afterwards. I was so proud/tired!

Friday I overslept & missed morning Zumba.

Saturday was my 5k.

Today I went to visit my Grandfather so the gym took a backseat.

I'm ready for another week of working hard though!

Fallen Heroes 5k 2012

I was pretty nervous Thursday & Friday leading up to Saturday morning.

I laid everything out the night before.

I had a hard time sleeping Friday night.

I dreamt we were late to the race and didn't get to run, that my phone wouldn't work & play my music...

But everything was fine. Except for the RAIN!

We woke up at 6am, ate oatmeal & got dressed.

Our friends, Katie & James met us at our house and we drove to the park.

As soon as we got out of the car, we felt the raindrops.

Not a good sign.

 

We made our way down to the opening ceremonies and everyone was huddled inside as the drops became a steady rainfall.

We were told to make our way to the starting line, stretch, get my headphones and music ready.

Then the gun went off. 

The cool rain felt good on my face.

I kept track of my pace on my watch.

My first mile 10:55, my second around 13 and my third, 13 again.

I got emotional seeing families standing by the signs of their fallen hero...and I cried thinking that last year, I stood at the same 5k watching my husband, saying that no one could pay me to do a 5k, it just wasn't something I thought I could do.

There were hills and it seemed long but before I knew it, it was over and I was crossing the finish line at 37:16, my official time. :)

Under my goal of 39 minutes!

One happy girl!

I am SO thankful for my friends who ran with us and keep me motivated on my journey :)

Bananas & Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then naps.

It was amazing and I can't wait to do again soon!

A case of the Mondays....

Today was one of those Mondays....

I woke up late-the time change threw me off.

Thankfully I had packed my lunch and set up my coffee & oatmeal the night before.

Work was hectic and busy, a long day of driving, so no lunch run.

I enjoyed my lunch of chicken slices, string cheese, yogurt, peaches, mandarin oranges and apple sauce.

I got a new app for my phone so I could do this:

July 2011 (247lbs)  and February 2012 (194lbs)

That made my day a lot better.

I can see the difference now!

I got off late, but still managed to eat dinner and get to the gym before kick class.

I stayed after to get on the elliptical and try the sauna for the first time.

It was super hot in there but supposedly it makes your skin better.

Just 4 days until my next 5k, really gonna work on getting one more run in this week.

Week 32

Start weight: 247

Current weight: 193

Total loss: 54

A slow week, weightloss wise for me.

I've had a sinus issue since last Sunday.

Making it impossible for me to run.

I did however, go to the gym for 7 days in a row for the first time ever!

I also did all the reps in active with my handweights for the first time ever.

And I used 20lbs plus the bar for weights class today :)

My husband also made me feel amazing Saturday night, he just stared into my eyes and told me I looked really beautiful and I could tell he truly meant it. That makes me feel on top of the world!

Today I had a coconut cream pie larabar on the way to the gym for breakfast and by the time I was getting into my car to go home (2.5hrs later), my stomach was growling. My stomach ate the bar up and was hungry again!

I tried Panera & I liked it!

While driving today, I missed my turn for Chick-fil-a.

I saw a Panera sign and decided to eat there.

I quickly looked up the calories for the menu-but I didn't need to, they were already beside each menu item.

I ordered the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad.

I picked off the crispy wontons for a 310 calorie salad, very yummy!

Still feeling sick, but because it's only my nose I went to Zumba last night and to Active class tonight.

Feeling proud and strong :)

I love my gym!

At first, it was just that my friends went here. It is much smaller than my last gym and a lot of my high school classmates go here so I wasn't sure that I would love it.

I loved the classes after just one week, and I haven't been to a class that I don't love yet. The girls behind the counter know me by name.

I've met several people who have lost or are losing weight and we catch up with each other weekly at the gym.

The 10 times or more board is a pretty good motivator at the front door as well.

And the first thing you see before you even open the door is:

I've emailed the owner about my favorite instructor teaching more classes, and a few weeks later a new class of hers was added to the calendar!

Now there's the class/signature challenge, that they have extended through the end of March.
My first full card!

SO many reasons to love it here!

Here's my monthly email with my tally of visits for February.

22-24 times!

I knew it was possible, it was a LOT of work & dedication with no excuses!
I can feel a head cold coming on, but I went ahead to the gym to walk & bike tonight.

Week 31

Start weight: 247

Current weight: 193.5

Total loss: 53.5

Feeling on top of the world!

I'm feeling confident & prettier!

I got this.

The gym challenge is helping a lot.

As well as my health-minded friends!