Week 1 Weigh In and Before Pictures

      Today was the official DAY 1 of my diet and body transformation.  Anyone else start a diet today? I'm actually really happy with how today went.  There was really only a small window of time where I was really wanting chocolate, but that was because it was definitely time for a snack.  Dinner was a bit of a hassle because I forgot to pre make the brown rice like I had planned.  It turned out alright though and we managed a doable dinner.  I weighed myself, took my measurements, and my before pictures today.  Guys, putting this stuff on here, I making myself incredibly vulnerable here.  I know that you are all my friends, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't like even my friends to see me this way.  I like people to see me as my best self.  Obviously, I'm not there physically, otherwise I wouldn't be doing this.  So here we go.  Let the accountability begin.

Starting Stats

Weight: 161.3 lbs.

BMI:  29.5

Chest:  30.5"

Bust:  37.25"

Upper Left Arm:  13.5"

Upper Right Arm:  13"

Lower Left Arm:  10.25"

Lower Right Arm:  10.5'

Waist:  32"

Mid Waist:  40"

Hips:  41"

Left Thigh:  25.5"

Right Thigh:  25.5"

Left Knee:  16.5"

Right Knee:  16.75"

Before Pictures

      As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I'm doing the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge workouts.  I'm not ready to share myself in a bikini (and probably won't ever be that comfortable), but my swimsuit definitely reveals my figure enough to let me know I need a change.  Especially since people will see me in a swimsuit this summer.  By the time I'm finished with this transformation, hopefully, my figure and my swimsuit will be better.

Weight Loss Challenge Redux

      Here we are again!  Remember that time I lost 40 pounds?  It was awesome.  I think I'll do it again.  :)  Because after that time I lost 40 pounds, there was that time I became pregnant and gained weight and couldn't lose it because the stress of being a new mommy got to me.  I started back losing weight again last Summer.  Then I hit a road block.  Happily, I found out I was pregnant.  Then, sadly I found out that it was an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured and I had to have emergency surgery, which ended up being a removal of my left fallopian tube (ovary is fine and intact) and a liter of blood.  A surgery that ended up saving my life, but changed it forever.  Afterwards, working out and healthy eating went on the back burner.  I gained a bit of weight back and now I'm really ready to get rid of it and the rest of the weight I've been carrying around for too long.

     I've already put together a plan and rewards for each 5 pound weight goal.  Starting tomorrow, I'm going to do the 30 day diet again.  The meal plan is made.  Actually, I made a plan for January and February.  I want to go back to my typical menu plan, which is basically healthy meals Monday through Thursday and Friday through Sunday are more fun dinners.  I'll, also, be counting counting calories with My Fitness Pal.  I really need the extra help with knowing where my food is going.  Workouts, I'm going to be following the Bikini Body Mommy workout plan, which starts tomorrow.  I have backup workouts that I can do if anything feels too much for me, but I will plan on giving everything a try before I decide anything. 

      This time around I'll be starting about 10 pounds lighter, but my goal weight is 10 pounds less as well.  I'm excited.  I really want to make it and make it work.  I'm not going to be posting everything I'm eating or every workout I do like I did before.  I feel like My Fitness Pal is pretty good about that since there is a social aspect to it.  I'm looking forward to getting motivation and encouragement  there as well.  What I will be posting on this blog, is weigh-ins, recipe tutorials, reward achievements, and filling you in on how I'm doing along the way.  I also will be showing my progress pictures.  Confession, I've had a migraine today so I haven't taken my before pictures or done my measurements yet.  I plan on doing that tomorrow and will hopefully get that up in the next few days.

      Wish me luck all!  I'm excited about doing this journey again.  It's gonna be amazing!

Another Round

     Since loosing the rest of my weight and getting pregnant, I've been absent from this blog a long time.  I must confess I've missed it a little.  Something I had thought about for awhile before I met my goal, was to continue taking pictures of food and keep up the accountability so I could stay on track.  Before getting pregnant, I thought I would take a few months to maintain my goal weight and then readjust to my goals so that I could lose another 15 pounds and for once in my life be at my ideal weight for my height.  Well, of course, plans certainly changed rather quickly considering loosing weight wasn't an option.  During, my first trimester I experienced morning sickness and that helped keep the weight gain at bay.  Once it was over, though, the weight has slowly crept back on.  Don't think I'm trying to stop it.  I fully understand that I need to gain weight to keep myself and my baby happy and healthy.  My biggest concern is with what I'm eating and eating too much and gaining weight too quickly so that it's above and beyond the healthy amount. I think that when pregnant women are told they shouldn't diet, they should instead be told, "Don't diet to lose weight, diet to stay healthy."  Some might need further clarification, but I think that takes the voodoo out of the word "dieting".  I want to pregnancy diet, not trim-the-fat diet.

     So here's my plan:

-  Take a picture of everything I consume.

-  Post pictures on the Diet Blog for every day.*

-  On Monday thru Friday do Yoga routine from Yoga DVD.  Saturday and Sunday go for walks.  Two miles the second trimester and one to one and a half miles the third.  Might do more weight lifting and calisthenics as desired and needed.

-  Keep track of calories on My Daily Plate.  I've already adjusted the calories to 300 more than I would need to maintain my goal weight and in my third trimester I'll readjust it to 500 more.**

     I don't plan on doing any particular diet, but I would LOVE and appreciate any recipes you might want to share that are especially good and healthy during pregnancy.  After listening to a podcast on Pregtastic, which I highly recommend by the way, with the author of "I'm Pregnant, Now What Do I Eat", I'm considering going to Barnes and Noble and picking up a copy.  It starts with great information about having a good diet during pregnancy and then also gives recipes.  The author, is an OBGYN, teamed up with her chef hubby and put together recipes that are packed with pregnancy super foods.

     I already started taking pictures today, and it feels very natural and I'm excited to give myself that accountability again, since I haven't been doing to well as of late.  Encouragement and words of wisdom are welcome.  Remember, I'm new to this and will probably make mistakes, but that's how we learn.

* Before, I was doing posts by meal.  This time I'll be posting by day.  Also, I won't be posting the calories and I'm still not sure I want to post my weigh-ins, but I'm considering it.

** As far as I have been able to gather, this is the most appropriate way to add calories to your diet.  If you have facts that suggest otherwise, please share.  :)

Final Weigh In

Weighing in today @:  128.5 lbs.

Weight Loss for the Week:  3 lbs.

Total Weight Loss:  41.5 lbs.

    I believe the appropriate response to this is BOO-YA!!!!!  I made it!  What's really funny is the Dora "We did it" song has been playing on repeat in my head.  :)  Not sure why since I've only seen bits and pieces of that show, but regardless, it's totally appropriate.  Can you believe it?!  I finally reached my goal.  Excuse me, not just reached it, I surpassed it!  What an amazing feeling?  

    In honor of the momentous occasion, I wanted take a little trip down memory lane  and show you how I saw my continual progress on the chart I colored in every week.

And now for the final entry mark:

    I actually had to sort of draw above the chart because I hadn't planned for this.  Incredible!  Now I bet you'd like to see what I look like don't you?

    I'm not sure you can see a HUGE difference between the second and third picture, but the first and last are astounding.  I can't believe how chubby I was!  Okay, I can believe it, but it's still amazing that I let myself get to a place where I looked like that.  I will tell you I'm thrilled to go clothes shopping.  Except for a few shirts I kept around (because I was in denial that they wouldn't fit me or because I planned on loosing the weight "really soon") from before the weight gain, nothing fits me.  In fact the skirt in that last picture is practically falling off.  There are some jeans that fit when I first weighed in (again) at 135 and they are a bit baggy.  Even the leggings I have are sagging.  Basically, I NEED new clothes.  However, so as not to bust the bank, I plan on getting thrifty and hitting places like Value Village first to see if I can find some steal items.  Mostly right now, I'd just like to find some shorts and pants.  The shorts I have from last year look ridiculous on me.  I could wear a belt, but when I do it bunches where the button and zipper are and that's just not attractive or appealing.  Another item on my list is a dress.  The one I wore at Easter:

now sags horribly on me.

    I feel so good and I'm so proud of myself for all the really hard work I've put in.  If I could give any kind of advice, it would be do this only when you are ready.  And by ready, I mean mentally ready.  Once you have mentally geared yourself up for this, then prepare yourself by getting the tools you'll need.  Stock up on food, come up with a workout routine(s), surround yourself with positive people, and keep yourself accountable.  One of the best things I did was calling myself out by opening up on this blog.  It's been sort of intimidating letting you all in and sharing my diet and workouts, but it's helped me immensely.  

    Now that I've said that, you probably won't see me on here for awhile as I plan on taking a bit of a sabbatical.  My goal is to maintain through July and then go from there.  July is reunion season for us and I don't want to be sooo focused on what I'm eating that I'm not taking the time to enjoy spending time with family.  Also, I kind of need a break from this crazy thing I've been doing for the last 5 1/2 months.  I'm tired and worn out and would like to recharge my batteries with a little Summer fun.  That's not to say I still don't plan on being smart.  I'll still be eating the same kind of meals, well maybe a few more fun ones, but for the most part it will be the same.  In fact, Ty has requested that it be so.  :)  Apparently, he likes it when his wife routinely cooks meals and when there is a plan for dinner so he doesn't have to ask (or if he does I can actually tell him).  So dear friends and family, I love you all and thank you for the amazing support and encouragement you've all given me.  Y'all are da best!

Weekly Weigh-In

Weighing in today @:  145.5 lbs.

Weight Loss for the week:  1.5 lbs.

Total Weight Loss:  24.5 lbs.

    Another good weigh-in.  I have to tell you I'm really enjoying seeing the progress I've made.  Looking in the mirror isn't a painful struggle anymore.  There is still room for improvement of course, but my journey isn't finished yet so I'm not going to give myself a hard time.  Let's take a look at how far I've come shall we.

December 2010 (at my heaviest):                                   April 2011 (taken yesterday):

And as promised here's the rewards I've earned so far:

5 lbs. Reward - Red Lipstick:

I love wearing it!  It makes me feel fancy.

10 lbs. Reward - Jewelry from Burlington:

Love these earrings and cocktail ring.

15 lbs. Reward - New Pair of Shoes:

 How cute are these shoes!

20 lbs. Reward - Pouch for iPhone:

From a Jolly Little Purse @ etsy.com.  Love this little wallet.  It's stylish and handy.  It's great for carrying all the basic purse necessities and my iPhone when I go out for a walk or a quick grocery trip.

    I'm so proud of myself for working hard enough to earn these rewards.  I'm only .5 lbs. away from earning Music on iTunes.  Who-RAH!  My Weight Loss Chart has taken on a life of its own.

Changing our lives

    Yesterday I found an article that got me really excited about what I'm doing with this blog.  Go HERE to read it.  I loved reading through the success stories of the bloggers who posted what they ate and and seeing their transformations.  AMAZING!  All because they let go of their fears and shared everything about their journey with the world.

    Their "Top Tips" were really great and inspiring as well.  My favorite was from Ben, who started his blog as part of a promise to his Grandma to change his life. 

"No matter what life change you need to make, do it publicly. Obviously you don’t have to start a blog for the world to see, but make sure you’re sharing your struggles with people who care about you. The natural thing for us to do is hide our vices and try to fix them in secret because we’re ashamed. But I’ve found that, more often than not, people are excited for you, and will be there to support you and help you in any way they can."

    I think that's a big reason why this kind of blogging/weight "program" works so well.  We bloggers who are sharing what we eat, how we exercise, and what we weigh are putting all our cards on the table.  Thanks to everyone who has commented and/or shared their support.  I love all y'all! 

Long Time No Post

    Holy Shenanigans!  Can you spell S-L-A-C-K-E-R!?  Cuz that's exactly what I am right now.  Honestly, I can't remember what caused the lack of motivation, but it was definitely gone.  Then, the holiday hit.  UGH!  My weaknesses and lovely vices came into play.  My thought was that I would get back to it right after New Year's.  That, I decided, was setting myself up for failure, because I didn't have a plan or any focus.  I, also, hadn't gone shopping yet and was in serious need of some food after being gone for about a week.  So, I came to the conclusion that I would give myself a week to get into gear and get a plan put together and prepare for it by buying groceries and whatever other materials I would need to be fully dedicated to it.

    You may ask, "What's the plan, Stan?"  Well, it's pretty simple.

-Counting calories again using TheDailyPlate.com every day.
Recently, I purchased an iPhone and added their app, which will help when I can't get to a computer.

-Post everything I eat on my food blog with the calories.
This is pretty self explanatory.  Though, I will also try and post workouts, weekly weigh-ins, and maybe even measurements.

-Begin w/ doing the 30-day diet again and then continue with a scheduled meal plan.
This 30-day diet may haunt my life forever, but you can't fight with success.  The scheduled meal plan is basically the 30-day diet, but I'm leaving the weekends for meals that deviate from it so I have a little more wiggle room.  Exceptions will also be made for when we are out of town or having dinner at someone else's home and can't control what's placed in front of me.

-Visual of progress close to bed with encouraging statements. surrounding it.
Here's what it looks like now:

I wanted this to be close to my bed so I would be able to see it every day.  This will help to let me see how well I'm doing and to appreciate the work I've done.  As I continue along, I'd like to add more encouraging statements.  It's important that the statements have zero negative words such as no, can't, don't, never.  This way I'm not eliminating possibilities, I'm adding to them.  I'll also have positive association with dieting, working out, and overall weight loss.

-Have a reward system.
This will not only give me fun prizes with each goal I meet, but it will give me something to work towards.  You may have noticed that I also put that on my chart, under each 5lbs. increment.

5 lbs. - Red Lipstick

Always wanted it, but haven't been brave enough.

10lbs. - Inexpensive Jewelry (probably from Burlington Coat Factory)

I've bought several pieces there and love them.  I'd love to get more and this will give me a good opportunity to earn it.

15lbs. - Pair of Shoes

Been craving to get more flats.

20lbs. - Pouch for iPhone from Etsy

Haven't decided on one yet, but I'm loving this store, but this Golden Ticket one is tempting too!

25lbs. - Music on iTunes

I'm extremely behind on the times and still don't have ANY music on my iTunes yet.  I may have to cheat a little bit on this and buy this Running Trax album and use this reward for fun music.  What do you think?

30lbs. - Mani/Pedi

Did this for my birthday last year and I'm dying for another!

35lbs. - DDR for the Wii

I might have to do a little more research for this and compare the different dance games that are available, but this one has been around for awhile and seems like a lot of fun.

40lbs. - GO CLOTHES SHOPPING!!!

By this time, I'm betting that quite a few of my clothes won't be fitting and I'll be needing some new ones.  Well, okay, if I have to.  :)

-Follow the C25K program.

I stumbled upon this program online a few weeks ago and was going to try it, but it was the holidays.  Lately, its seems, a lot of people have been talking and raving about it and the iPhone app.  Now would be the time to give it a try.

- Calisthenics and weight lifting with Ty.

Back in the day, I was using ediets.com and they had a great list of work outs so I compiled the ones I liked best and that worked for me, then made a little routine. Ty and I have done this together a couple of times and I want to continue doing this three times a week or more.

   Eventually, I'd like to start taking dance classes again.  There is a studio across the street and they offer Adult Jazz, Hip-Hip and Zumba.  It would be great to finally get back to doing something I love.  I really miss dance so much my heart aches for it.  I may have to add 30 minutes a week of silly dancing just for good measure.  The basic idea is that only set small goals so that I don't loose hope if I haven't gone down to my ideal weight by a certain time.  That's also a big part of this.  Zero time goals.  I can loose weight, when and how my body is able.  I want to be happy with what I have and not have those disappointing Biggest Loser scale moments.

   All positive encouragement is welcomed.  If you have a great positive statement or quote you'd like to share with me, post it and maybe I'll put on my wall.

   Okay people, Mission Get Skinnier initiates today.