The Results Are In

Before I share with each of you the results of my weight loss goals, you must first enjoy this. It just so happens to be Twodles latest YouTube request, which is also very fitting for this post :)



On August 12th, 2013 I finally decided to get serious about losing baby weight. I'd tried earlier in the year, but because I was still nursing Goob, I had zero success.

Here are my stats from my first weigh in and body measurements:

144.2 lbs.                                         

Neck: 14"

Chest: 38"

Waist :33"

Hip: 40"

R. Arm: 13.5"

L. Arm: 13"

R. Thigh: 23"

L. Thigh: 22.5"

R. Calf: 13"

L. Calf: 13"

And after:

124.8 lbs.

Neck: 13"

Chest: 35.25"

Waist : 31"

Hip: 37"

R. Arm: 11.5"

L. Arm: 11.5"

R. Thigh: 20"

L. Thigh: 20.5"

R. Calf: 12.5"

L. Calf: 12.5"

In 15 weeks I've lost 20 lbs. My goal was to lose 2lbs a week, and most weeks I did.  The weeks that I didn't lose wasn't because I didn't try. I never worked out less than 5 days a week (sometimes 6 days a week, and even 2x per day) I did really well with portion control, and not eating as much sweets. It seems like I'm trying to excuse my occasional failure, but in all honesty, I did everything I said I would.  Let's just say being a woman is obnoxious!  No matter how hard you try, sometimes you just can't fight mother nature!   

I must thank so many people for keeping me motivated...

My sweet husband who knew it was important to me and therefore made it important to him.  My mom, who complimented and encouraged me all along the way, and even watched my boys so I could work out.  My awesome friends, who inspired me to get going again, after seeing their weight loss journeys.  And so many more!  I love you all, and couldn't have done it without you...THANK YOU! 

I'm feeling great about where I am at (124lbs being my realistic goal) I will still continue to work hard to see if I can make it to my target weight of 120 lbs. It may never be possible...my mom pooch loves me too much, but I will try.

What I need from all you lovely people is your best tips on those problem areas.  No matter how much weight I lose, I always have love handles and a baby gut.

What tried and true exercises really work?

I really like Jillian Michael's 6 week 6 pack, but it's pretty tough. I don't think I can do that AND run every day.  I fear that if I don't keep running, I will quit all together.

So what say you smart, intelligent, people?  What's a girl to do?!?!?

Who's Counting Anyway?

Three days ago I was reunited with two long lost friends...the digital food scale, and MyPlate-calorie tracker.

If I'm in the business to lose weight it has to be done, but it's just so hard while I'm still nursing.  I can eat a meal and literally feel like my stomach is completely empty 30 minutes later.

I wouldn't say that I am on the tracking train yet, but I have wanted to see how much I'm consuming, and try to work my way down to 1800 calories. (good for nursing)  I will get there eventually, and will then work my way down to 1200/cal after I'm done nursing.

I'm pretty hungry, which is normal when decreasing calories and increasing physical activity.  I just have to remind myself not to play the "I can eat whatever I want, I'm nursing" card, which is a lot like the "I can eat whatever I want, I'm pregnant" card.

I made some forms to keep close at all times that will help me track what I am eating.  They even fit in a purse or wallet for eating out.  They are based off the forms used at the college for the weight loss program I did in 2011.  I got them laminated so I can use a marker to check things off throughout the day.

The front has how many servings you get of each food group.
The back has the serving sizes and  other suggestions

With all this effort, if I haven't lost 10 lbs come Monday when I step on the scale, I QUIT!  ;)

Rookie Mistakes & Beginners Luck

I started back to the gym on campus way too late, and now I'm regretting it.  I was able to go back a few times before Mr Medic graduated and it was completely invigorating.  That specific place is where I gained my willpower 2 years ago.  I participated in a weight loss program through the college and it changed my life.  I triumphed over physical and mental limits I thought I could never overcome, so naturally stepping through those doors brought back a lot of wonderful memories.

One particular experience was when my team did a stationary cycling challenge.  We were to see how far we could bike in just 30 minutes.  Not only were the seats almost unbearably uncomfortable, but I had never really cycled before.  I spun and spun, never stopping, but several times my eyes welled with tears because I felt like I was going to die.  I was in so much physical pain I felt like I could never make it 30 minutes.  With the help of enthusiastic teammates and my own pride, I did it.  (P.S. I don't ever want to participate in a cycling class again!)

I didn't want to let go of my special place even though I knew I had to since soon neither of us would be students.  The rebel in me asked if my ID would work once Mr Medic graduated, and they assumed that it might for a while.  Rather than be thoroughly embarrassed trying and get turned away like a criminal, I decided to go for a run OUTSIDE!

The last time I ran outside was years ago.  I decided the same night of a 5K that I would run it, without previous training. (Don't laugh, I need training for even that short of a distance)

Todays run was like a double edge sword.  I made a lot of mistakes that I will hopefully learn from, and there was definitely some greatness that came from it too!

ROOKIE MISTAKES:

- While the rest of me was ok temperature wise, my hands were pretty cold
- Exercise induced asthma is way worse in the cold (I forgot since the gym isn't usually cold)
- I need more music
- Running against the wind slows my pace considerably...I may as well have been walking!
- I wish my ipod was an iphone so I didn't have to also carry a phone for safety.  There's nowhere to put that thing except in the bra (sorry TMI)

BEGINNERS LUCK:

- Despite all the setbacks, I ran that mile faster than I ever do on the track.  I think it's quite nice to have something up ahead that you can tell yourself "I can totally go to that point!" Then as you near that goal, you can look ahead and say "I can make it there too!"

My PR for the mile!  hahaha

And there's nothing like a good ol' cool down stretch

I hope to make running outdoors more of a habit.  Plus there's no gym membership required.  Who can argue with $FREE.99?

Although I do not ever intend on becoming a running pro I would like any tips on making things go a little smoother, so please share.  Thank you much!

Daily Doubles

One of my weight loss goals, to do a short morning workout and then a longer one in the evening every day- is what I will refer to as Daily Doubles.

As Jillian says, she's "TV's toughest trainer"  hahaha

Yesterday was the first of many more.  I have to be honest I didn't want to do it.  I tried to do a workout video yesterday morning, but Twodles kept yelling at me "NO MOOOOOM, WE ARN DOIN DAT!"  Apparently he doesn't realize that I've set some goals!

Today was even more difficult with Goob crawling all over me.  In order to work up a sweat or elevate my heart rate without having to stop every five seconds to fend off the "extra help" I've decided that I will have to wait till Goob is down for his morning nap.

You see, the whole idea behind doing a morning workout is to exercise before you eat.  You burn more fat that way.  There is much talk over whether this is a valid method or not.  In the articles I have seen, exercising in a "fasted state" is not beneficial for athletes (as they probably don't have much fat to lose, and need the fuel to reach optimal performance) But for those looking to lose weight it seems to be legit.

For one, as has been known for some time, exercising in a fasted state (usually possible only before breakfast), coaxes the body to burn a greater percentage of fat for fuel during vigorous exercise, instead of relying primarily on carbohydrates. (source found here)

Seems easy enough right?  Well, my only problem is that Goob doesn't go down till around 9am.  That has proved quite difficult since I am up for at least an hour or more before I can even start the workout.  Not only will I be so super hungry, but it gives me ample time to convince myself I don't need to do it.

Good thing I have such an awesome cheerleader. Twodles always encourages me to exercise, and even does it right along with me most mornings, for a few minutes anyway.  He has even settled into the little routine we have of exercising first and then getting to watch a short PBS show while I hop in the shower.

Love his little tongue sticking out

The Little Engine That Could

I'm slowly making progress towards getting back to working out/ losing my baby fat.  I'm not sure why it'S taking me so long, but I do know anything I could say would only be an excuse.  I've spent a couple days the last few weeks putting on my work-out clothes in hopes it might motivate me to get there, but all that came of it was a neighbor asking me if I'd already been to the gym.  Don't worry, I didn't even lie!

I'm a bit bummed that it's just now clicking in my brain that I only have access to a FREE gym till April 13th.  Why on earth have I not got with the program sooner?  Now I'm gonna have to figure out which gym to join or how to run my jiggly bum in the great outdoors.

I will resume my usual public humiliation accountability route because it seemed to work before.

As of March 18th I weigh 144.2 lbs which means I need to lose about 20 lbs.  My goal is to lose 2 lbs per week.  At that rate I should reach my goal weight in 10 weeks.

MY PLAN:

• Portion control, track calories, monitor food groups, and keep treats to very few, if any.
• Start going to the gym on Monday the 25th.  We'll see how that goes!  I found that one quick workout every morning before breakfast followed by an hour workout later in the day or once everyone is in bed for the night, just about does the trick. 

WHAT I'VE DONE SO FAR:

• I've started gathering my running playlist, but feel free to shoot me your must-have songs.  
• I "splurged" and bought some new socks
• I purchased some good second hand running shoes since my feet have grown since having #2
• Had a friend come do my body measurements in order to track inches lost (will share later)
• I have already cut out treats, except on special occasions. (I ate my last Nutty Bar one week ago today, and ate one brownie during ladies night last Saturday) 

Now all I have to do is get going and see if my body responds the same way it did before.  

WISH.ME.LUCK

Endorphins...YES PLEASE!

Many of you know that at the beginning of the year I decided to get my rear in gear and lose some weight. I wish I could blame it all on having a baby. But let's be honest, I was carrying the weight of a baby LONG before I ever got pregnant.  I joined a program at the University I attend similar to Biggest Loser: trainers, nutritionist, the whole bit.  The program went about 3 months and in that time I lost 30 pounds. Afterward I kept up it up on my own and lost almost 10 pounds more.  Then Scout Camp happened.  Thankfully I only gained 5 pounds and I'm glad to say that after a near 7-week hiatus I'M BACK IN THE GAME!

I made my way to the gym this morning, dragging my feet as I went, thinking how I REALLY did not want to experience that lovely jello jiggler feeling I get when I run on the treadmill.  I was dreading even more the fact that I had no music.  I finally did the much-needed music cleanse yesterday.  I will admit that it has taken years for my conscience to catch up with me on the music pirating I did as a teen.  This amazing talk by David A. Bednar has been ringing in my ears since the day I heard him give it, and prompted the initial cleanse that same day (yes, I did cleanse once before but got sneaky and found the music again on the old Mac...shame on me).  So today I opted for Pandora, which turned out to be the best thing that happened for my workout session.

I pick my station (just in case you were wondering, I typed in Bruno Mars) and started jiggling...I mean jogging.  After about 2 minutes Katy Perry's "Firework" came on and I found my groove!  Next thing I know I'm having to try extremely hard to overcome this insatiable desire to sing out loud and dance on the treadmill (imagine me doing something like this but WAY better).  I was smiling big and really enjoying myself, which is incredible because I STILL hate running.  I felt like I could (here's the point were you think Im going to write "I felt like I could run a marathon!"  I'm not that crazy) be in a musical! You know the star in the next High School Musical: Poor college student with a post pregnancy jello jiggler body.  I'm sure it would get GREAT reviews!  Anyway, I was rockin' it on the treadmill and I felt AMAZING!  I finished up a sweet workout, all thanks to Dave Bednar, Pandora, Katy Perry, and last but not least a super imagination!  Endorphins...YES PLEASE!