Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Since my last weigh in post 2 WEEKS AGO!!! I have lost 1.8 pounds...life has been busy around here so I haven't been able to post as often. I have now lost more that half of my goal weight loss...WOOHOO!!! And I am only .4 pounds from earning my 20 pounds lost sticker!!

I am still eating lots of dairy which seems to be making things happen quicker...BTW, I haven't been exercising much so this last weight loss is all from my caloric intake, not exercise. I have also started watching my sodium intake... Much of our weight problems stem from excess fluid retention. Fluid retention is caused by all sorts of things: too much sodium in your diet, not enough water drinking (because your body is holding on to the fluid if you are dehydrated), not enough exercise, and the list goes on.

My body is still changing and for once (since my last pregnancy) I am beginning to "feel" slim.

A few things I have learned so far:
1. If you believe it, you can achieve it!
2. If you don't count calories, you are likely to fail...it has been proven that those who count their caloric intake actually lose weight faster than those who don't.
3. Weight loss can be achieved on ANY kind of food...even though we would all agree that eating highly nutritious foods are better for weight loss, the only thing that really matters is the amount of calories that you are taking in.
4. You can eat more if you eat fruits and vegetables (without added sugars and fats). Fruits and vegetables are lower in calories, therefore allowing you to eat more of them. Go ahead, eat that ONE enchilada, just make sure to pair it with lots of tomatoes and lettuce (remember you can eat an entire HEAD of lettuce for around 120 calories!!! and the entire tomato for 35 calories).
5. ANY amount of weight lost is a success!!! Hey, if you didn't gain it back you have succeeded, right? Losing weight slowly actually increases your chances of keeping it off!
6. Finally, if you have changed your eating & exercise habits (eating less and exercising more), you WILL eventually see a weight change and a total body change! Take pictures each week to document your success.

Looking to lose weight? Join us at Tales from the Scales! Need even more help? Spark People will count your calories for you AND give you an exercise plan and it is totally and completely FREE!!! If you try Spark People, look me up!!! I am KICKBOXINGMOM!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Not much time, but since I didn't write up a post about my weigh-in last week, I have lost 3 pounds!!!

I am thrilled about the results and I think I may be able to attribute it to an increase of my consumption of lowfat dairy products!!!

It has been proven that if you increase your lowfat dairy consumption, you will eliminate 100% more fat from your body. Something about how the dairy products don't allow you to absorb as much fat from your food. COOL, Huh???

Anyway, I am thrilled about the news and it is just a few more days until our FINAL WEIGH-IN...

Oh and by the way, I earned my 15 pounds lost sticker!!! WOOHOOO!!!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Well, no loss, no gain....

It happens to all of us. I am not discouraged, probably more outraged but not angry....outraged in a motivational type of way. I am more determined than ever to have a loss next week. I am getting healthier every week and my body is changing. Every day I wake up feeling a little lighter on my feet. My clothes are feeling a little looser and so I am not discouraged. I am only encouraged to press on a little harder, do a little more, try to get up earlier...so hubby doesn't have to stay up waiting for me to get done with my exercise.

I have a goal to lose all this excess weight by the first of March for my sister's wedding in April.

I don't plan to just lose the weight and the forget about it either, this is a lifestyle change. I cannot go back once I have reached my goal. Exercising every week is a must and eating healthy nutritious foods is a must.

It's funny because I can't even eat potato chips without feeling a little guilty. I think, "Why am I eating THIS?!? What positive effect does it have on my body? ZERO, ZILCH, NADA...It isn't good for me, so just eat your veggies, lots of them and stay away from those....those calorie-laden snacks...except for an ocassional treat...a sweet treat that is!"

Does anyone know the answer to this question..."Do you ever see your abs after having babies?" Is it even possible? I have seen some AMAZING stories on Spark People... One lady lost a ton of weight (don't know how much) and then won a Body Building competition!!! NO KIDDING!!! This lady was ALL muscle!!! Of course, she weight trains 6 days a week, but WOW...I didn't think it was even possible to get your body in that kind of shape without surgery!!! Maybe it is because many give up before they have won the race and just opt for surgery...I don't know, but if I could get those kind of results, trust me I would NEVER give up!!!

Anyway, it's just a couple more weeks to the final weigh in for the Look Great in 2008 Challenge, are you with me?

Need extra help counting calories, and figuring out what you need to do fitness wise? Join me at Spark People! I am KICKBOXINGMOM!!!

Have a Wonderful Christmas!!!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Okay...back again!!! This week I am doing the same challenge...that is 300 minutes of exercise, 28 fruits and veggies, 100 push-ups and 100 crunches. Last week, due to busyness, I was unable to complete my exercise challenge, but I am determined this week...Lord willing!

This week I am ALL SMILES...

WHY, YOU ASK??
I have lost 1.4 pounds this week!!! I am elated, more than a 1 pound loss!!! YIPPEEE!

I am learning that these "baby steps" down the scale are better than nothin'. And this week even if I didn't lose, I would be happy because I am noticing a change in my body. My hips have changed especially. I am definitely seeing visible changed and for that I am thrilled. I am not quite sure what my "ideal" weight should be yet, I am guessing that 20-23 more pounds loss would be my ideal, but I won't know until I get there.

I am really going to try to press on and do my exercise today...although my darling daughter was up half the night!!!

I must remember the end results! If I keep going and don't slack off, I will see end results sooner.

And if you had just a small victory this week, even though it may be small it is a victory (even if you just maintained), it is STILL a victory and all these little victories ADD UP! They add up to one great BIG VICTORY.

Don't be discouraged. REMEMBER reach for the goal, reach for the prize!!! Good health is worth it!!!

Now, my goal is to lose about 23 more pounds, but if I lose just 20 pounds by the end of the year I will be thrilled!!! I am a little more than 6 pounds away from losing those 20 pounds!!! I don't know how fast it will come off, but I KNOW it will come off with persistence! So, persist, I must!

Join me won't you? Look Great in 2008!!! And if you need a little more assistance, join me at Spark People...I am KICKBOXINGMOM!!! I think I will be a lifetime member at Spark People!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

This week, I didn't do as well as I thought, BUT a loss is a loss any way you look at it! I lost .8 pounds this week bringing my total up to 13.4 pounds lost total.

Do you remember that challenge I took last week? Well, I completed it...that is more than 28 fruits and veggies, AND 300 exercise minutes!!! I felt so accomplished by the successful completion of the challenge that I took the challenge AGAIN this week!!! Am I crazy or what?!!!

Yep!!! I thought so, I have gone loopy!!! I REALLY don't have the time to complete that many minutes...you know, I am up till 10 or 11p.m. exercising, but my clothes are continually getting bigger on me AND I am getting closer and closer to being able to wear my wedding rings again. I am reaching for the prize and I won't rest until I get it.

Well, I must be off again...my Tae-Bo video is calling my name!!!

If you would like to join us at Tales From the Scales Look Great in 2008, it's coming to a close...

AND if you need a little help with reaching your weight loss goals, try Spark People, you'll be glad you did! BTW...at Spark People I am KICKBOXINGMOM!!!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Well...this week with Spark People has been successful!!! I have lost 2 pounds this week!!!

And can I just say


WOOHOO!!!!

I am completely and totally ectastic!!!! This week I joined a challenge that pushes me to my limits!!! The challenge is to eat 28 servings of fruits and veggies (that's the easy part) and to do 300 minutes of exercise...that is the clincher!!! Although it includes all exercise...cardio, stretching, and strength training.

So far I am keeping up, believe or not!!! I have exercised every day, of course I will only do strength training Monday, Wednesday, and Friday...then cardio every day. This challenges figures that you are working out for an hour every day or more on some days, less on others.

My ellipitical is getting its use and soon I will be using my good ole' treadmill, that is, once my hubby helps me bring it downstairs...with seven children, you can't exercise in another part of the house!

What I like best about Spark People is that I am no longer "counting" my calories...it is doing it for me! I am also eating better balanced meals and not so many protein bars. You know, REAL food fills you up better than protein bars!!! I never knew that!

Anyway, if you need a little help with motivation and dieting, I encourage you to join Spark People! If you DO decide to join, I am KICKBOXINGMOM!

Have a great day!!!

BTW, If you made a comment on my blog and I didn't visit you last week...forgive me! I have been overloaded with busyness lately...I am barely keeping up with the everyday!!! I didn't forget you dear friends!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

So I lost another .8 pounds. I should be jumping for joy since I lost and didn't gain, but I'm not...

I have never lost weight this slow before, but it has been about three years since I have been at my target weight. This weight WAS gained during this last year with my pregnancy, so I shouldn't be surprised that it is taking me longer than I would expect. And I am 34 this time and not 30. Age DOES make a difference.

I DID exercise on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday so I am doing all the right things. I know I haven't kept a food diary lately, but I have been keeping up on my caloric intake.

However, I found this awesome website that helps with nutrition and exercise. It is called Spark People . The best thing is that it is FREE to join!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Oh and before I forget, I earned this sticker this week:

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Today I am only down .6 pounds. That is not really a surprise to me since I didn't exercise this last week (except last night). I am realizing more and more that if I don't exercise, I don't lose weight.

Now that hasn't been true so far, until today. However, things are soon to change.

This is why...

• For one, I no longer will have to wait to do my exercise until 10 p.m. when I am really way too exhausted to do it anyway...Why? you say? Well, my husband works from home AND we have had an "employee" working with him lately. Unfortunately, my husband's kind of work (woodworking) wasn't suited to this gentleman's ability so just last week he gave his notice...today is his last day. For me, that is somewhat of a blessing because I can now workout whenever I like because I don't have to worry about having someone (other than a family member) "walking in" on me while I am exercising. I wouldn't do well if I went to a gym, because I don't like having people "watch" me workout.

Now if you are like me--stubborn, that is--you are going to change this week!!! I AM GOING TO FIGHT FOR MY SUCCESS!!!Whatever it takes!!! I know that I need to work out 5-6 times a week...I WILL be stubborn and do this!!! Even if I just do Billy Blanks 8-minute workout every other day and a normal workout in between!

I know, I know...Thanksgiving is coming up, BUT we don't have any plans. No, I am actually okay with it since I am trying to lose weight. The good thing is that I don't have to worry about eating too much since we are not having guests and are not going to be guests anywhere.

We don't live near family, not even remotely close to family, so holidays are always this way. Sometimes we get together with other families, and sometimes we don't. I often will make dozens and dozens of cookies for friends at Christmas time and we go and deliver them.

If you didn't do as well as you would have liked this week either, here are a few things that I have learned...

• 1. When I eat sugary foods, I don't lose as much weight...even if I have been good to not overeat.
• 2. When I don't exercise, I don't lose weight.
• 3. You must, must, must avoid sugar because when you eat sugar you produce insulin, which in turn deposits fatty acids into fat cells. Fruit sugars are better because they don't cause you to produce insulin, fruit sugars are actually digested in your colon. Stevia is even better because it is calorie free and helps lower blood pressure. I have some stevia that I use ocassionally, but I don't like it in my coffee so I don't use it much.
• 4. I need my sleep!!! My baby girl has been keeping me up this week, so getting as much rest as I need is IMPORTANT!!! I think my lack of sleep this last week has affected the weight that I have NOT lost!

Another thing...DON'T GIVE UP!!!

GET MAD AT YOUR SCALE and tell it, I WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!!! I WILL WIN THIS BATTLE!!! GGRRRRRR!!!!! MY HEALTH IS IMPORTANT!!! MY WEIGHT WILL NOT GET ME DOWN!!! MY SUCCESS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE FOOD I EAT!!!

No more BAH HUMBUGGING about the scale!!! GET MAD!!! And spring into action!

It's not too late to join us at Tales From the Scales!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Let me just say right now, I am beginning to believe my scales!!! I lost another 2.2 pounds this week!!!

A few things that I am doing right, (for me anyway) are:

• 1. Keeping my food diary ONLINE!!!
• 2. Counting my calories and sticking to it.
• 3. Decreasing my caloric intake each week after my weigh in.
• 4. Exercising when I can...not often enough, but maybe I will find the time.

My results so far...

• 1. A total weight loss of 9.2 pounds...after 4 1/2 weeks of counting calories.
• 2. Inches lost all around...totalling 6 inches.
• 3. I seem to have more energy.
• 4. I have a better attitude about my figure.
• 5. My clothes are fitting looser.

If you are wanting to lose weight and need a little support and motivation, join us at Tales from the Scales!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

Another two pounds GONE!!! And again I am in disbelief. I have desperately tried to fit in exercise and sometimes I get it in, sometimes I don't. I have been completely exhausted this week with late nights with my baby and sick children with fevers.

However, I stayed on my strict caloric diet and it proved itself successful again this week! WOOHOOO!

One thing I learned this week while reading one of my books on weight loss is that it takes 3500 calories (missing from your diet) to lose 1 pound of fat! 3500 CALORIES!!! I also realized that I eat 2100 calories less each week than what my body needs to maintain my weight, SOOO every 12 days (11.6) I am ridding my body of one pound of fat!

Another thing I learned while reading is this, and this may shock you!!!

"Artificial sweeteners do not promote weight loss. Saccharin saves calories, but causes weight gain because it stimulates the secretion of insulin, which encourages the deposit of fatty acids into fat cells. In one trial against controls who drank sugar-sweetened drinks with a low calorie lunch, consumers of saccharin-sweetened drinks who at the same lunch were more motivated to eat and more preoccupied with food for the rest of the day. Using aspartame decreases appetite, but also causes weight gain. Aspartame hinders protein digestion. If less protein enters the bloodstream from the digestive system, the body tends to store glucose as fat. The net result is that eating less food can result in storing more fat."

~Prescription for Herbal Healing

Needless to say, I was totally and completely shocked when I read that in my book. It makes me think twice before I eat artificially sweetened foods!

Well, that's all I have time for now! If you would like to join us go HERE!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

I should be excited, for my scale told me this morning that I was 2 pounds lighter, but I am doubtful. However,I did weigh myself more than I should, that is, every other day or so and sometimes my scale told me I was up two pounds, then down one, then up one....Maybe I did lose the weight, I'm not really sure. What I DO know is that I stayed on my weight reducing diet and didn't overeat (or not that I am aware of).

The numbers tell me that I lost two more pounds, at least today. So if that is correct and I total all the weight lost so far, then I have lost 5 pounds altogether which means that I have earned my 5 pounds lost sticker.

Let's just hope I can keep it off. I do plan to continue exercising this week as time allows.

This next week however, I am going to continue to watch my sugar intake...only allowing myself the sugar in protein bars, coffee, and an occassional iced tea. And if you are wondering, there are goodies in my house like Little Debbie Snack Cakes, candy bars, and Quaker Oat granola bars, BUT I made sure to get myself my own little goodies...that is protein bars, that usually tames the beast! Those other goodies just aren't worth the calories that they use if you know what I mean. I always say that I can't "afford" them. No matter how good they taste, I think I want to be skinny more than I want to eat the wrong foods.

I am just totally disgusted with my body right now, physically that is. The only time I have ever weighed this much is when I am pregnant and this time I am not. Just the other day I looked in the mirror and thought I looked as if I were 3-4 months pregnant...the last thing I need is someone asking me if I am! I don't like what I see in the mirror and that is what pushes me on. I MUST lose this extra baggage! I just hope that my stubbornness to not accept my size and my determination to lose the weight will get me where I need to be!

If you would like to join us, go to Tales from the Scales!

Wednesday's Weigh In!!!

I have lost another 2 pounds!!! I have had company since Saturday (they left today), so I haven't had time to post my food diary, but I kept track of what I ate and made sure to not eat too much!

And I did get a new scale this week, my old scale was weighing me right but this scale is digital and much easier to see for us blind folks!

So, with this weeks weight loss, I have lost a total of 3 lbs!!! That is exciting for me. Maybe next week will be better because I plan to add exercise now. Now that my company is gone!

If you are reading this for the first time and have not joined the LOOK GREAT IN 2008 Challenge and would like to, go to TALES FROM THE SCALES!

Wednesday's Weigh In...I got the Wrong day...I think!

So I did Wednesday's Weigh-In on Tuesday! Anyway...It looks like I might have lost 1 pound and a total of 2 1/2 inches on my body! I measured my hips, thighs, and waist.

I have not fully started an exercise regimen yet, but I plan to. I have a treadmill, an elliptical, and several of Billy Blank's Tae-Bo videos and DVDs.

I have used his Tae-Bo Cardio and Tae-Bo Flex in the past, I have also used the 8-minute workout, and the Tae-Bo Advanced 1 & 2. Just before I found out I was pregnant, I got Billy's Boot Camp so I have yet to try that. Anywho, hopefully time will allow me to workout again...with seven children (one being a newborn baby) and homeschooling, I find time to be a thing of the past. But I will keep pressing on!

I AM DETERMINED TO LOSE THIS EXTRA BAGGAGE!!! All 35 pounds of it!!! Actually 37 pounds.

To join us go to Tales from the Scales Look Great in 2008 Challenge!

Tuesdays "Weigh In"

Well, I can't tell much from the scales because mine aren't working quite right. You see, a while back someone dropped something on them and broke the plastic piece over the numbers and put a hole in the number thingy so I think that I may have lost 1 pound, but I am not positive on that.

HOWEVER, I just happened to measure my waist, hips and thighs the other day AND...GUESS WHAT!!!! I have lost an inch around my waist, 3/4 of an inch around my hips, and 3/4 of an inch around each of my thighs!!! WOOOOHOOOO! My calorie counting is working!!!! YIPPEEEEE!!

I thought my clothes were beginning to feel looser!!! I guess that explains why!!!

For all those out there that are reading this...DON'T GIVE UP!!! PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL! PRESS ON!!!