Ouch...I like that!

Oh yeah...I'm sore today! Yippie! Loving that feeling...I know, it's nutty...but it's AWESOME! You know what it means? It means I WORKED MUSCLES! It means I'm on the road to getting back to where I was a few short months ago. For those that don't know...I was an exercise FREAK! I loved it...to the max. Then something happened - um, and I really don't know what? - and that person slowly went disappearing. Sure, I would still exercise 3'ish days/week, but I wasn't getting anywhere. I wasn't pushing myself. I was just going through the motions. I wasn't losing weight, but gaining....and all the while I would say to myself "I don't know why...I'm working out". But yeah, just a little (after I had been going 6'ish days/week, running, weight lifting, etc)...and combine the drastic change in my workouts (or lack of) plus not eating the best, the pounds start to add up. Ugh! Slumps suck. But amazingly I'm digging my way out, and it feels good. Today I've already ran 2.6 miles at lunch (WOOHOO!) using c25k W5D2. I've done c25k before, and have ran several 5k's, but it had been awhile since I ran, so I started the program again. When I get home this evening I'll do my Hundred(s) Challenges as well as my fat burning workout, for a total of 30 more mins to add..... Yeah, I'm finally on my way again! And LOVING the way my body is feeling!

Last night, I made the family enchiladas. YUM! I make mine special, since I watch what I eat. I want to get the most bang for my buck I suppose. So anyway, here comes hubby in the kitchen to what...GULP....help?!!!! Are you kidding me?! WOWZA! This never ever happens...so it was nice. I thanked him several times. He's VERY picky, so it's really a blessing to have him help in any way in the kitchen. Oh and get this...tonight he's making a casserole he had as a kid that he LOVES (this guy does NOT like my dinner "experiments", and very rarely any casserole I make). So it'll be a nice change. It's not very diet friendly for me...it's totally full of carbs, cheese and FAT...but I'll eat my serving and a big salad to go along with it.

The best news all day...I'm the Top weekly loser for my team (Team Dancer)! WOOHOO me!!!! I can't believe it, plus I get an additional 100pts for it!! How exciting eh?!!! Here's to trying it again for next week!!!!

My journal for yesterday (Tuesday 9/29)

Weekly Weigh In

I can't believe yet another week has gone by for this challenge...wow! It's going fast, and my weightloss is going SLOW SLOW SLOW. But, I'm happy to report a 1.2lb loss this week! Hey, I'll definitely take it! Now, if I can just continue to get ones like that, I'll be HAPPY.

Yesterday I wanted to try and FLUSH out as much of the weekend as possible. Eating my homemade, low calorie soup, drinking gobs of water, and staying away from sugar and too many carbs. Well, I stuck with my plan, but what I wanted to happen...didn't. ARGH! I even drank some Metamucil and worked out hard at home for 30 mins. Nope...I'm still sitting here pretty miserable. Hmmm...thinking I'll try an apple this evening!

I might have goofed though yesterday with my calories. I was WAY more under than I thought...and that isn't good for the body. But a few higher days, with a few lower days SHOULD keep my body guessing. I know I'll have more calories today, because I don't want the wrong thing to happen where my body is HOLDING ON. So...that'll be different today.

I also had a KICK BUTT workout at lunch today. I love working out at lunch...working out last night was TOUGH. Making myself do it for one thing, plus I went to bed right after...and it felt like it did no good. I know that's not the case, but you know how empowered I feel after an awesome lunch workout?! I didn't get that last night cuz I went to bed. Anyway, today I made up for it with 30 mins of spinning using Cardio Coach ; and then did some wogging - a total of 50 mins of interval training. Yay me :)

So here's to a kick butt week with eating and exercising!!! I'm feeling the power again!

Journal 9/28

Monday Monday

Well, this weekend was totally uneventful and I realized I need MORE activity on the weekends...especially if I tend to eat a little more lax. So that's DEFINITELY my goal for the coming weekend. MORE activity!!!!!

I spent this weekend on the couch/recliner watching movies. Not just little movies...you know the 4 hour ones like Dances with Wolves, Wyatt Earp, ....and then yesterday on with The Rock, and Gone in 60 Seconds. Yes, I'm a sucker for Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage - these are my 3 all-time favorites!!! So I didn't do much except watch movies, played with the boys, fixed lunches and dinners, laundry here and there, and dishwashing. :) I don't get many of those...so I'll take it.

This also means I was at home being way too lax on my eating part....argh! Hopefully when tomorrow comes though it's still nice to me. Today I'm guzzling my water, and eating my homemade veggie soup and lots of produce to hopefully wash out some of the weekend! hehe! I'll also be sure to get in a good workout this evening. Couldn't go at lunch today because the Hunney called to say the step-son (whom lives in another county) was headed to our high school to play in a tennis match... so I'm heading out early to catch it. BUT that workout will come tonight!!!

I've decided to make some weekly goals.... here they are :)

• Journal
• Aim for 1300 calories (23 pts) / day
• Exercise 30mins/day 5x/week
• 12,000 steps/day weekdays
  
• 10,000 steps/day on the weekend (MORE ACTIVITY ON WEEKEND)
• Eliminate sugar
• Start eliminating/saying no to more uneccesary carbs - since they are a trigger for me

I'm thinking these are REASONABLE...and should be a good way to get closer to goal!

Okay, so here's my ugly journal from the weekend!


Friday 9/25





















Saturday 9/26





















Sunday 9/27

Week 4 Challenge Survey

Week 4 Challenge Survey

1. Do you feel your eating habits that ended you into this challenge are a direct result of habits formed during childhood? (Please explain)

Slightly. I mean I was always taught to clean my plate, because there were starving children in other countries. I was given my brother's leftovers too... And my Mom is the BEST cook ever. She's never had a weight problem, so she never focused on "healthy". It was just homecooked GOODNESS!!! I started dieting while I was a sophomore...and here I still am.

2. Tell me about your living situation. Are you married? Kids? In College? What is your life like OUTSIDE of weightloss?

I'm a 33 year old and I'm married for the 3rd time in my life to a great guy. I love him to pieces and I'm thankful every day for the man, husband, and father he is to our kids. We have 3 sons (Jabin 16 year old step son ; Brody 4 year old from a previous relationship ; Tucker 2 year old from my husband). Last June our home was flooded and the town made us demolish (the home was 90 years old and NEVER had been flooded before). We moved in with my parents basement for 10 LONG months while our road to recovery/rebuilding went on. It's been tough for us...but we're headed in the right direction. I work full time at Indiana University...I have been there for 12 years!!!! My husband drag races every weekend in the summer, and it is our life away from life! EVERYONE in the family loves it!!!

3. If you were given a magic wand that you could use one time to do one thing, what would you use it for?

Ugh!!! What a HARD question to answer!!! I have to come back to this one....wow. So now I'm back and I STILL am having a hard time with this question. I guess because there are personal things I'd like to fix, as well as family things. But since this survey is kind of about me...I'll use it as personal. I'll say I'd use it to have a breast reduction. My whole life I've been unhappy about that part of me...and I want it fixed!!! :)

4. What is your favorite thing about this time of year? Least favorite?

Favorite thing...the LEAVES falling!! Oh man they smell awesome and look gorgeous!!!

Least favorite...the winter approaching!! Ugh!

5. You have a day off, no responsibilities, so what will you do with it?

Sadly I'd be cleaning. Or out bargain shopping for the house! I'd LOVE to just be sitting at home watching TV on Lifetime all day thougho!!!

6. What is YOUR sin food?

Ha! Like I can pick just one. BUT, I'll have to say Mexican. I can LIVE on it!!! Potatoes are CLOSELY behind though... I like them any way you make them!!
7. Your in a foul mood, what lifts you out of it?

My boys. They can ALWAYS lift me out of that hole. They're so compassionate and try their hardest by letting me know they are there for me, even if it just means kisses!!!

8. Your in a good mood, what keeps you there?

My boys again! I love watching them grow up. They say the funniest things and make me smile from ear to ear!

9. What is one of your biggest struggles right now?

Finding time for ME...and knowing I'm worth that time. I go non-stop from the time I wake until I hit the hay...for the household. I literally do it all...and I feel so unappreciated.

10. Your motivation is running low, where do you find your refill?

Friends....WOW! The support I get from an online group of friends is phenominal! I couldn't do it without them! Old photos of the fat me!!! My all time highest was 233! I'm 60lbs lighter now...I feel like a NEW PERSON! So when I look at those fat pictures...wowowow...motivation kicks right back in!
11. Your in house support (meaning the people in your life that you see face to face) is beginning to dictate your weightloss journey by telling you your too heavy, or your getting too thin, but your not where you want to be. What do you do? How do you handle it?
I listen to their advice and seriously look at myself. AM I gaining weight? Maybe I am too thin? I re-evaluate my goals.

12. List me your favorite:
color: Purple smell: My husband's scent activity with your child: book reading every night Activity with your girlfriends/ guy buddies: talking and laughing until our sides hurt! way to relax: Ha! What's that? Reading a good book!

13. Where do you honestly see yourself at the end of this challenge?

I see myself hitting the goal I set. And back on fire like I once was not too many months ago. I see myself confident and proud!

14. What are your goals AFTER Gag?

Continue the journey to get to goal... using GAG as a stepping stone. I want to finally get to goal, and maintain it! I want my life permanetly changed...

15. How do you think GAG is going so far? What would you like to see done differently? (I must be asking for torture! LOL)
I love every bit of this challenge. It's truly what I've needed to get back in the swing of things! Nothing differently..it's just PERFECT! Thank you :)

16. Tell me all about your "typical" autumn weekend? Special activities that arise as well?

Racing is always in the mix of a weekend. Just vegging out with the boys is nice. We always have our family reunion in the fall, as well as a trip to the Pumpkin Patch, Covered Bridge Festival, 5K, etc. There is always MUCH to do on the weekends...so fall flies by FAST!

17. Is there one person in your life, who you hope your weightloss journey inspires?

My Dad. He needs to deseprately lose weight...but we all know how difficult it is. I want to inspire him to get on the bandwagon too. Not just half on, and half off...but ALL the way on! Maybe if I get to goal and he sees I can do it...he will too.

18. How did you find GAG, and what made you committ to join?

My good friend Heather told me about it. I REALLY needed something to get my going again...as I was in a biggest SLUMP of my life!!!

19. If you could nominate one BIGGEST INSPIRATION out of all your Team Gaggers, who would you nominate?

I'm still learning everyone and their journeys, since I'm BRAND new. But I would say that Sheila (YOU) have truly inspired me! WOW...look how far you've come, and look at what you've put together for us! WOWOWOW!

20. Please, tell me about you. What are your dreams? What are your desires for your life? What sparks the passion inside of you about your life? What goals do you have that seem impossible?
I just want my life to be happy. I've seen lots of unhappiness on this road of life...and I want for ONCE it all to go right. I'm tired of worrying about little things that though they matter...but realizing there is a BIGGER picture! I would love to further my education and DO something with myself. I sometimes feel so blah because I didn't finish college. I'm lucky to have the job I have...but I want more!!!! I would give anything to be a professional photographer...it's my true passion. And one day I will justify that expensive camera and work on this dream!!!!

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And here's my journal from Thursday. I was under my calories...I'm not sure how that happened...but I suppose ONE day isn't bad :)

My rump is in a slump

This should be like a thankful Thursday...or even a THIRSTY Thursday...but instead my "rump is in a slump". Ugh. I have so much going on in my mind right now that I'm getting dizzy from the circles. It all boils down to how much I HATE where I am right now. Really, I do. I feel like I'm going no where. I've lost this weight before...and here I am trying to lose it again. I can't help but wonder am I going to lose and regain for the rest of my life...and NEVER be happy? What am I doing wrong? HOW did I regain the weight? Maybe my workout isn't good enough? Maybe I'm cheating on my journals? Whatever the reason I just want to SCREAM!

It doesn't help that I feel "fat" today. I know you all have those days too...where you just FEEL "blah" and fat. Well that's me - TODAY. Maybe tomorrow I will feel better!

On a positive note I made myself go to Step class and sweated my heart out for 45 mins, and tonight I'll do the Hundred(s) Challenges. TRYING to put a smile on my face... because I know I can do this and I know what it takes....

So, here's my journal for yesterday!! Over by 149 calories - again pretty good and I'm happy with that.

Wacked out Wednesday!

Biggest Loser was awesome last night. I love it... it really inspires me. I KNOW realistically I can never (nor anyone I know) lose as much weight as these people do, but I LOVE seeing them be able to do it. I realize I have a life and family...so burning 6000 is not feasible for me. I'm okay with that. These people NEED this change, they NEED this drastically...and look at them! Amazing progress already! WOOHOO!

Last night focused more on nutrition, and I LOVED that! Yes we all know that on the BL they get beat up by their workouts...but it's good to see that nutrition is important (MORE). I learned a lot, and honestly loved the little advertisements with Ziploc and the protein powder. I know for a fact I don't get enough protein in daily, UNLESS I use my powder, and I firmly believe it will HELP the weightloss.

Anyway...good show, and I look forward to next weeks episode. Oh, and I'd also like to note that even though I skipped out on the gym yesterday (ugh) I still made myself ACTIVE for the last 30 mins of BL. I walked, jogged, kicked, punched, and all sorts of other sweat producing moves all while watching TV! I was so sweaty I had to take a shower afterwards! Yay me!!!

Sooo, here's my journal picture from yesterday (Tuesday). Over by 56 cals. MUCH BETTER!

Weekly Weigh In

I lost 0.2lb ...I lost...not much, but I did. Yeah, I'm disappointed, but I deserved it. The weekend was really out of the water when I figured all my calories up. I'm over it...over the week, and now I'm focusing on the new week. That's that. Not a happy camper today...BUT I will make up for it next week!!!!

What did I do last night to prepare for this week? I made a huge pot of veggie soup....and I did 30 mins of kick butt cardio circuit training with bands and weights. I also started my Hundred(s) Challenges over. I was supposed to do them over the weekend, but didn't...so I'm counting yesterday as Day 1 over!

Here's my journal from yesterday (Monday) and the ones from the weekend, to be honest with myself.... BEWARE, they aren't pretty...and it's amazing I had any loss at all!!!

Thursday




















Friday





















Saturday






















Sunday





















Monday