Weight Loss Journey ... The 12 Month Check in

I posted this status update on FB the other day and I thought I would share it here too.  I'm a big believer in testimony and hoping that I can maybe inspire others like I was to go on this journey of bettering myself.  I'm still about 23lbs from my goal of honeymoon weight.  I'm taking it with strides and praying I hit my goal before my birthday.  I so would love to have to have a tiny piece of cake (even if only a sliver it would be nice).  So Far I'm 6 months of no cheating of no sugar and very low carb diet.  Would be nice to be done in the next 2 1/2 months :).

So here is my before and NOW picture!  ONLY nice comments please, it's like standing naked in front of you all.  And please don't mind the hair and no make up now picture.  LOL

FB status:

God gave me a whisper today to reflect on where I am. Last year I was in a 3x tired all the time. Then one day I went for a walk just one foot in front of another. It hasn't been easy I've had times of jealously over others success. But here I am 1 yr later in a Large and walking 3 miles in 45 min, with a work out before. Sometimes we need that reflection that we may not b at goal but look were we are now. 

Have a great weekend!

Insert Face Palm ... Doing the same Thing over and over

My amazing boss (who if you need a financial adviser he really is the best, he's actually one of the #1 in the US - Plus he's pretty darn amazing ... yes I love my job!) has a report talking about steps to protect your money.  One of the steps is not doing the same thing because it worked before.   Well I totally just found that is true with my diet life!

As most of you know I started doing weight watcher meals and counting points etc March of last year!  After a few months I was down around 28 or so lbs.  Then in August I started a diet that was all protein and very lean meats.  From August to February I was down around 83 lbs.  I was not counting carbs exactly just eating lean meat and some veggies (since veggies have carbs and some are very high).  So I was buying turkey sausages that I loved and had for most dinners, and sometimes even lunch.

Then February I was started to not see a budge on the scale so I saw a doctor here in town to help me loose the last 28lbs.  His plan is all protein and ONLY 20g of carbs, if it moves you can eat it.  If it has roots it's off limits, BUT I could now eat cheese and eggs!  So the first week I lost 4lbs and then NOTHING for 2 weeks.  I was like what the heck is going on, so I switched around what protein bar I ate then lost almost 2lbs.  I thought I had it figured out, but then back to nothing.  I called the doc and he said well the carbs are getting in somewhere, you need to be a detective and find out what carbs you're eating!  What I'm eating everything I should right???  So to the back of the nutrition list I go.

WELL I found that those lovely sausages that are my fav had 3 carbs a piece!! Oh yes so if you have say 3 or 6 (you eat 9g or 18g), then you eat a protein bar and oh yeah some cheese that you thought all cheese was carb free to find this brand actually had 1g carb PER little square!  Oh yeah and those yummy eggs also have 1 to 2g of carbs.  So my 20g Carb allowance was being pushed and doubled ... UGH.  REALLY looking at the back of food so was not on my mind.  How the heck did I think those items where carb free ... anyone say because the internet said so (YUP, I'm so that commercial of that stupid girl that says if the internet says it then it true ... UGH).

So a lesson learned what worked BEFORE does not work in this new diet.  I must watch very close the carbs that I eat and stick to the plan.  Some days you just need to give yourself a face palm!  Here's to a better week and hopefully a down # on this scale.  I so want to hit my goal of 24 more pounds to return to a normal and HEALTHY lifestyle.  AND heck go out to dinner with my husband with out him and the waitress giving me the crazy eye for order just meat!

Happy Friday, Hope you all have a fab weekend! 

Any Special Plans?

I think we have a date!  Boys have a Mad Hatter Sleep over party to go to.

Pictures and items made to come! (UGH mis-spoke that next weekend)!
Man I'm really not with it this week!

On the Skinny Journey

If you have been following me you know I have been on a journey to loose weight.  I would love to say I was just a few pounds over weight but sadly I got to a very scary large weight.  I started with Weight Watchers, making my own meals and walking and doing my Wii Zumba.  My best friend from childhood started her weight loss journey at the same time (we are so close our weight was with in 1 pound of each other).  She started her journey using Ideal Protein Program.  I had reservation on going on this diet one due to cost (could be around $400 a month) and it is a low carb & low sugar diet.  I tried Atkins in the past with no luck so I thought why try it and spend that much money.  Well you know me and my google abilities to find things.  After doing it for 4 months on my own and only down around 29lbs and my friend was down over 60 I thought I need to try this.  So I went to google and found I can buy the products on ebay and not go to the doctors office like she does on a weekly basis!  OK I'm NOT suggesting this route you should go to the doc and do it the right way but I'm on a limited budget and thought I'd try it this way.  Within in the 2 1/2 months on this program I'm down 53.6 lbs total (around 24 lbs since starting this program).  I am half way to my goal and hope to be there by February of next year!  My short term goal is 65 lbs down by Halloween to really rock my outfit.  My next goal is to be down 85lbs by Christmas.  My long term goal is to be at my goal weight by April so I may be able to actually wear a swimsuit at Cole's swim party!  It's a lot of hard work with monitor my food and exercise but it will be worth it!

 



 

I have not been paid or offered to try this weight loss program, I have paid for it out of my own pocket.

Sometimes it takes a Photo

Sometimes it’s hard to see the difference’s in ourselves but that is why we have camera’s.  It’s been a hard few month’s but I’ve been trying to be very good watching what I eat and exercising at least 4 times a week. As many of you know I’m down about 24 lbs and was getting a little discouraged that I haven’t had a larger loss.  You know sometimes you just want to throw in the towel.  You’ve done it before and can it be done again?  You want to feel good for other’s and their loss but then you get yourself in a funk.  No more funks or tears it will be a slow process but it’s all worth it, I may not be swimsuit ready this summer but next year it will be and I know I’ve done it the right way for me and the way I know it will be off for a lifetime and not just a small window like past.  This time history will NOT repeat itself.

I was going threw pictures this weekend to print for my dad for Father’s Day and I found the Disney pictures.  LOL wearing the same shirt I was wearing this weekend and took a look at the pictures.  Of course it isn’t in the same pose so it’s not exact but it did give me the boost I needed.  Even if I don’t get the atta girl from my biggest critics I can see the difference and will keep at it!

March 2012

June 2012

Back to grind and feeling good about myself!  I’ll have my birthday and father’s day post up tomorrow!  Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Tacos & Chips? (Well not your normal way)

The boys have been requesting taco’s lately so I found a few that I thought we’d give a shot.  2 healthy and one on the fence .. hehe.  The not so healthy one was just ok so I won't post it ... lol.

First off we had a Chicken Taco that was good, now I couldn’t find the right chicken tenders they talked about so the ones I used not the best but the taco was good.

And for the chip part!  Not your normal chips but they sure were tasty I could just eat these for my meals .  These Sweet Potato Chips are easy to make!

Have a Great Monday!  Anything special on your menu tonight?

Take out with out the Take out of your pants :) Plus a treat for your Pup

Still on my quest to eat healthy, even though I’m not seeing a huge number loss on the scale I’m loving our meals. First on our list is a favorite with out all the calories, Chicken Teriyaki with Broccoli.

Next on my list is a favorite of mine, this version of General Tso’s Chicken wasn’t as yummy as the fried favorite but it did get an “ok” from Rick .

Well it’s not the fortune cookie, but it is a treat for your pup . This Peanut Butter Oatmeal Flaxseed dog treat was a hit with Jake.

Happy Tuesday everyone I think I may get my groove back on here soon!

Do onto your Gym Neighbor …

I ran to a blog who commented that people who read books at the gym need to stay home because what can we really expect to accomplish since we aren’t really working out.

To this Arse I must say I can do an hour on the Elliptical and burn 757 calories.  Now I could sit on the couch and read but I wouldn’t burn any calories (probably add some with whatever I put in my mouth).  So to you sir you can SHOVE it!

He also commented about the chubbies their clothing choices and why there are at the gym and just need to move on.  It’s people like you that make people who are over weight not want to go and then put themselves down an dive into food as comfort.  So you sir (which is a long stretch of the word) and other’s like you won’t make me feel like I don’t belong.  I pay my dues I go to the gym and work out (even yes read the book).  I will take back my life and get a control on my weight, you can call me a chubbie and make comments all you like but you will not discourage me!

It's NOT because I'm Overweight ....

It's a vent time :). I have a family member in my life that makes it very clear how they feel about me being overweight. Most of you know me that I have been struggling with my weight since I was very young when my dad remarried. For my wedding I lost 80lbs (which was the result of working out SEVEN days a week and not having kids). Then got pregnant on our wedding night, then lost 60 lbs to get pregnant a second time. This time around I'm tired, my body is tired and I am limited on resources so here I am. I hear threw the grapevine I don't do things because my weight, this person doesn't know me very well if they did they would know that every weekend I'm out and about! So to set the record straight:

Don't Judge Me ... (A time to reflect)

I interrupt my daily Wednesday Wrap of our weekend to talk about something that has been weight on me.

Judgement it's a funny thing! We some how along the line loose that innocents of being kids and become grown ups that Judge meaning to do it or not we do it. I grew up in the house that was referred to as "the better homes & gardening home" everything must be perfect and beautiful. Don't get me wrong I had a great childhood. Let's just say this chunk little girl wasn't always perfect, leading to heart break from not making the cheering squad, or any other kind of squad that dealt with tiny skirts or for that matter anything that would require coordination :).

After talking with a few different people this week I found myself judging them and giving advice like I'm the know it all of life ... hehe yup my glass house needed to be windexed! Who am I to say hello stop going out pay your bills or you can buy your kid a new toy each week but you don't pay for things, well hello they will be taken away :).

Hot Topics:

Weight: Oh this is a hot button for me, sadly I have been dealing with this one for years. Not only strangers will look at you and think and even say lovely comments about the lumps and bumps that are no longer smooth. Thank you very much for your comments believe me I know what is in the mirror, well maybe not I usually avoid those too :). This past week a blogger commented on a new TV show about over weight people how it is disgusting to watch fat people even walk across the TV screen let alone get frisky (Marie Claire online was the article - I refuse to put the girls name to give her any more links to her). I feel bad for this person they forgot she has her own flaws and seeing them up close and personal is not always the most comforting :).

Kids: Having a VERY hyper child leads for TONS of judgement from friends and family. You'll get the comments about how your parenting style is the reason they are the way they are. Which thankfully you're smarter than that and know that some things are programing in a child and not you, but doesn't mean it makes it any better! Advice comes into that box of sometimes meaning to be helpful but again a little judgement creeps in. Just remember we all think our kids are perfect and other peoples kids are out of control. Just remember that thought when your child is the one having the melt down or not listening.

Spanking: Oh man now this one has become a PC issue, the girls on the Talk spoke about this how it's a form of bullying. I think each person and parenting style is different. Sometimes the corner works or a swat on the butt does. Heck I did fear my parents but I think that made me who I am today, I respect them along with the reason I was always able to talk with my friends parents. Heck I still talk to the parents more then I talk to their kids. A level of respect and some fear can go a long way. Again who am I to judge.

Helping out & Volunteering: One thing I found when you volunteer sometimes you become the sucker ... hehe no really I love to help out and will continue to do so. But I have learned that sometimes when you volunteer you can be taken advantage of. Learning to say NO is not a bad thing, I was so afraid to say no because then I wasn't helping out and I wasn't doing my part. And some people would even say this to you that you need to help that it is how things get done and for Church that it's almost a requirement. Pace yourself and do what you can that is all that should be accepting and don't judge others who don't give and give you never know their story.

Jobs: So this is another HOT button here. Family and friends can put a lot of judgement on career paths. Rick works in loss prevention which in some peoples eyes is a dead end throw away job. They joke about how is his "dream job". I have found that we all find our own path what job works for one person may not work for someone else. We all don't want a 9 to 5 sit down job. We all find our path and can do great things with what we like.

Overall I needed a reflection on judgement, I'm far from perfect and judge way too often. I have a outside that sometimes makes me vulnerable to judgement and comments that can really cut me down. I always try to say it doesn't hurt but it does. Just like I know when Rick gets comments on his job or parenting style really cuts him down too. At times we make snap judgement's about people or things around us, we may even comment or giggle and whisper to others about it. I guess just taking a look in the mirror (which literally is the hardest thing for me) can be a reminder that words can cut and damage more than we would ever imagine.

Sometimes I just have to do a long wordy post :), I hope I didn't bore you but maybe made you stop and think like this did for me. Thank you again for being my friends and reading and going on this journey with me. I can't say it enough how many down days have been brought up by you.