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:

Exercise Diary AND Food Diary

Tonight I did Billy Blanks 8-minute Tae-Bo workout. I am sweaty and feel pretty good after it!

Last evening, I also did a Billy Blanks Tae-Bo workout...that is, Basic Boot Camp. Although I can't do the sit-ups yet--that is too painful for my neck--I was able to do my push-ups, which I am thrilled about. I have always had weak wrists and push-ups usually aggravate the problem, but so far they don't hurt. With the sit-ups, I almost was able to hold myself up with my abdominal muscles, but not quite. There is a certain way you have to do crunches in order to not hurt your neck, and I am physically unable to do that right now. I hope to work up to it, but if not, I will continue to do my standing crunches...they basically do the same thing!

As for my Food Diary...
I have been keeping one for the week in a notebook because I just haven't had much computer time, but I will post it for today.

Breakfast
Coffee with creamer (95)
Protein Bar (270)
Total: 365

Lunch (snack)
1 cup Skim Milk (90)

Actual Lunch
Instant Breakfast (250)
Total: 340 (705)

Dinner
Chicken (125)
Tator Tots (170)
Salad with Ranch dressing (55)
Carrots (35)
1/4 of 6 inch pizza (100?)
Hot Apple Cider (120)
Total: 605 (1310)

Snack
Strawberry Banana Smoothie (made with fat free yogurt) (275)
Total: 275 (1585)

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!