DAY 144

WHOA! Who thought I would make it that far? Not me! To date, I'm down 45 pounds!! I struggle on a daily basis to drink enough water, but it is my saving grace. I can immediately tell if I haven't had enough water for the day. The scale with fluctuate 5-6 pounds. I'm telling you, water is vital to weight loss.

My friend Val, and I no longer work out together. Now that school has started (she's a teacher), and her kids are back to their after school activities, she just doesn't have the energy left at the end of the day. So, I now work out on Ft. Polk. Sometimes I go with my mom. Other times it's with my BFF Misty, and other times, I go by myself.

I am officially addicted to the gym (never thought I would say THAT), and have to remember to take a break sometimes. My husband told me to stay home one night last week, simply because my body was exhausted. I just couldn't go anymore.

It's strange that I would love the gym so much. I have always thought of the gym as being for "skinny people." I know... please don't ask how I came to that conclusion, because I'm not sure myself. BUT, when you have all of that equipment at your fingertips, you can do so much! The gym is my zone, my place of comfort. I don't care who's there and may look at me funny. I am often the only woman there if I don't bring one along. That, I actually like. To me, there is nothing more obnoxious than the "perfect 10" worrying about her looks, rather than her health. Really lady? It's a gym, you're supposed to sweat. That is something I do A LOT of.

In the last 4+ months, I have felt better than ever. I have learned so much about myself, my potential, and most importantly, my CAPABILITIES. I found a strength I never thought possible. I know that if I can conquer my weight (which I am), I can do ANYTHING (which I will)!

Day 74

Since I haven't updated in a month, let's get started.

To date, I've lost 31 pounds. The weight loss has slowed, but I'm still going in the right direction, which is down. I continue to track my calories, but I often get so busy I forget to log it. I'm still calculating though. I still watch labels like crazy. Overall, I feel INCREDIBLE. I am down 3-4 sizes from where I started. That's probably the most noticible thing. Every couple of weeks I must retire more clothing. I finally rid my closet today of all my "whoa, you really wore that size?" clothes. It was an awesome feeling. Now, to buy new ones. =) I <3 shopping.

I have started working out with a friend. I definitely enjoy her company, and we've been working out at her apartment complex's weight room. GREAT! I am up to 5 miles a day on the elliptical, and love it. I love the burn of my muscles and the sweat running all over me. I know, gross. We follow the cardio with weights, and then when I come home, I do abs and arms.

I have decided to only do a light workout on Wednesdays, if I do one at all. I noticed that I was beginning to dread my workouts, only because I was having difficulty balancing the rest of my world. Otherwise, I pound it the other 6 days a week.

WHAT??!!

Originally posted 6/10/2010

This last week was very trying. I didn't feel great, and have had a lot going on. Well, to put it simply, life happened. Kaitlyn was taken to the ER with a bad reaction to a bug bite. After some strong antibiotics, the swelling is going down. She now has an "egg" on her head as opposed to what looked like a tumor growing on her forehead. But, she's better. Thank God!Tonight was the first night I hit the track in almost two weeks. I've tried to get my workouts in here and there, but lacked serious motivation. I only half-heartedly did them. I think part of my frustration was the up and down I kept seeing on the scale. At one point, I had added five pounds. I was shocked!! I knew that I had made some poor choices lately, but they weren't THAT bad. Thankfully, it was all fluid retention. I upped the amount of water I was drinking, and POOF! It was all gone. Water is my friend. I have to remind myself of that, because it's not my favorite beverage.To date, I've lost 20 pounds. I'm excited to see the numbers continue to drop. I am proud of every single blister, pulled muscle, and pain I've endured. I am determined to continue my journey to a better, healthier me.

Closing In

Originally posted 6/2/2010

I am very happy to say that I lost 19 pounds my first month of weight loss! It has been difficult, and there were times that I strayed...but just briefly.I was really worried about this past week. I stayed so busy, and when I had a free moment to go to the track, it would start raining. I tried to do my workouts at home the best I could, but my beautiful daughter thinks she needs ALL of my attention ALL of the time.Memorial Day weekend was spent with family and friends (my fave) and LOTS of food. I tried to stick to my calorie budget, and did well on Saturday. Sunday, however, was a different story. I blew it out of the water! No prob. I'll just be sure to work out extra hard tomorrow. Negative Ghost Writer....I came down with a stomach bug. GROSS!!! I'm not feeling 100% yet, but I'm well on my way. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and I can return to my daily routine.I've decided that I'm going to start measuring myself as well as weigh. And, I'm going to take pictures...or rather have my hubby do it. I want to see what other people are seeing. Because the numbers only paint part of the picture...Can't wait to post some updated pics!

Day 21!

Originally posted 5/26/2010

The past few weeks have been crazy! I have lost 14 lbs to date. I am super excited to see the changes in myself. I am learning a healthier way of cooking, without sacrificing the flavor. I refuse to eat cardboard.I am still on top of my workouts. I haven't been to the track this week, because of so much going on. But, I still work out in my living room. I have Googled a ton of different exercises and weight loss tactics. Here's what I've learned: The thing that works best for you, is not necessarily what works for everyone else. I try to mix it up, because I get bored with one thing repeatedly. The more research I do, the more I learn about what I used to put in my body. WOW! So many restaurants pack their food full of calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, and carbs. Who knew? This is why I try to look at the nutrition information posted online prior to eating out. Then, I know what's "safe."This weekend I'll be joining my family in our annual reunion. I am so excited to see them, but not too excited about the menu. Burgers, hotdogs, potato salad. You get the picture. Sigh. This is where "portion control" comes into play...because there's no avoiding this one.

Lack There Of

Originally posted 5/16/2010

I love the weekend! Who doesn't? Unfortunately, when Friday afternoon rolls around, I feel like I don't stop! I don't have time during the week to get a whole lot done, so my weekends are filled to the max. This also means that my workouts tend to be put off. I think that's how I ended up where I am today. Hmmm....This weekend, was no different. I am proud to say I did work out, just not as much. I missed the track 2 days, but still did my workout at home. Today, I kicked it in to overdrive. I felt like I had missed so much. The best part? My precious little girl and sweet hubby came with me to the track tonight. Kaitlyn made it 1/4 mile before she got tired. Then, she and Daddy spent some time looking at the different birds. FUN!I'm beginning to think that my muscles will always hurt. About the time that one part of my body feels better, another part hurts. BUT, I still like it. I know its working!Ready, set....

I Don't Want To!

Originally posted 5/13/2010

Today was one of "those" days. You know the kind, when you have a lot that needs to be done, but you don't want to do any of it? YEP. That was me. It took my friends on FB to motivate me enough to shove me out the door.Unfortunately, I procrastinated so long that I didn't have enough time before dark to walk a full 2 miles. So, I made up for it when I got home. I enjoy the workouts at home more than the ones at the track. I know that both are important, though.I'm down another pound; that's 9 altogether. Day 8: Complete!

Happy Birthday To Me

Originally posted 5/12/2010

Today, was my birthday, and it was fabul0us! I couldn't have better, more supportive people in my life. The best part? I'm down another 3lbs. That's a total of 8 in a week for those who are tracking. I'm SO excited. I couldn't ask for a better gift.I didn't let the fact that it was my birthday slow me down. Actually, I worked out harder today than I have all week. I was pouring sweat, and it was incredible. My husband had to help me off the floor.Everyday I discover new things about fitness. I don't want to call it a diet, because that's a negative word to me. I'm changing the way I live. I read things that I never cared about before. I am determined to be healthy for both myself and my family. I'm loving life!

I've created a new blog! This one will be all about my fitness journey. The other blog will go back to what it was intended for... my life. I will be importing the blogs from the beginning of my journey to this blog. Welcome, and enjoy!