Looking forward to a changing body

I wore a new dress to church yesterday and I really liked it.  Then I started thinking about how much more I will like it in the upcoming months as my body starts to change, and the dress fits me better.  That is something to look forward to!

Not good...

Could have done a lot better yesterday.  I only got 7 points, and I ate some stuff I shouldn't have.  But if I have learned one thing over the years of dieting and trying to get healthier, it is when you screw up, you don't keep screwing up, you resolve to try harder.  So today will be a better day!

Dad was here!!

My dad came down from Logan yesterday.  Its always nice for me to spend time with him cuz I am a daddy's girl!  He is my best friend besides Brad.  He came down here to put in a new sink and vanity into our main bathroom, which was HUGELY needed, as the one he took out was original to the house, which was built in 1954!!  And I got to help with demo-ing the old one, which is something I have looked forward to since we bought this house over 5 years ago.  Awesome!  My dad is the handiest guy I know.  There is nothing he can't do, and that is so helpful on a fixer-upper house like ours.  He has helped with MANY projects and there will be many more to come I am sure. 


In regards to the challenge, yesterday was a really exciting day for me!  I got all ten points, YAY, but I got them without using any freebies, which we are allowed 7 each week!!  I was very proud of myself, that was a big step.  And it was important to me that I didn't eat any sugar yesterday.  That was the first day in a very long time!  Even when we took my dad out to dinner last night to treat him for his hard work, and we went to Golden Corral, daddy's choice, I managed to find some sugar free ice cream for dessert.  Normally I would have headed straight for the fudge on the dessert bar!  It seems maybe I have a little more willpower than I thought.  I just have to use it.

Mowing the lawn

Funny thing about mowing the lawn.  I find it to be one of the most satisfying homeowner chores.  For one thing, it shows the lines, like a vacuum.  It is an instant gratification chore, where you can see how great you are doing as you are doing it.  For another thing, I discovered yesterday when I was entering it into the fitness website I am using as a weight loss resource, that it burns mad calories!!  I mowed for 45 minutes yesterday and burned 537 calories!!  That is awesome! 

I am pretty pleased with my challenge progress.  Yesterday was an 8 out of 10 day, my worst so far, but still pretty dang good I think.  I plan to make today another ten-er!  We will see!

Thursday

I remember when I was a kid that one of my mom's friends would always respond to "I'm thirsty" with "Hey, thirsty, I'm Friday, want to get together Saturday and have a Sunday?"  Random fact about my childhood. 

Yesterday was okay on the challenge.  I thought I was going to get all ten points again, but Brad and I went on a date last night and we had dessert.  So no, No Sugar, for me.  What do ya do?  I'm really trying.  Sugar is definitely my weakness.  The thing is, I know how much better off I would be if I would quit eating stuff that isn't good for me.  I would look better, feel better, be healthier, and maybe combat this problem I've aquired as I've gotten older of spending a lot of extra time in the bathroom, wink, wink.

Today will be a better day.

Just a quick one....

Well, I am doing okay on the challenge.  Yesterday I got nine out of ten points.  Struggling with the same thing as always and that is sugar.  But just now Brad left with the boys to go get drinks at the gas station, kind of a tradition, and he asked me if I wanted anything.  My normal instinct would have been to have him get me something, but I told him no.  I guess that is progress.  All I know is, I have to do something.  I can't keep living like this, fat and unhappy.  Especially because I never want my boys to see this as an acceptable body size, or think my eating habits are a good example.  I am responsible to more people than just myself now, and I have to act like it.

Today's "Journal" Entry

So far so good on the challenge.  Yesterday I got all ten points!!  But every day you can take one freebie and I did yesterday because we grilled last night and I wanted to make a fun dessert that I read about in a magazine.  So I took my No sugar freebie yesterday.  And the dessert, by the way, was a banana cut in half, filled with marshmallows and chocolate chips all wrapped in foil and grilled for a few minutes.  It was pretty good!

So I wanted to put in here today what the challenge points are.  They are very well rounded in my opinion. 

48 ounces of water
45 minutes of exercise
2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables
No soda
No sugar
No fast food or unhealthy snacks, like chips
No eating after 8 pm
Read something spiritual or uplifting for 15 minutes
Write in your journal/blog
Personal goal

Some of them are super easy, and some are a bit harder, but I really want to do well, so I am trying really hard.  Hopefully I am on the right track!!

A New Challenge

Well, today I am starting a new weight loss challenge.  It is similar to the Biggest Loser Challenge I did earlier this year, but it is involving money this time, which I could really use!  We keep track of daily points again, and the most points at the end of 12 weeks wins.  I am doing it with a bunch of strangers, cuz I found the blog of the person who coordinates it through another friends blog, but maybe that will be motivation for me.  Some time this week I need to send in a before picture and paragraph about why I want to do it, so I will be sure to post that, but one of the challenges to earn points is to blog or write in a journal every day, so you will be seeing a lot more from me on here.  Wish me luck!

Another generation of "Four Eyes"

As if my poor three year old child hasn't been thru enough with his eyes......

I got glasses when I was eight.  At first I was so excited to have them!  Then when I realized what a pain they were, I started leaving them at home, "forgetting" to put them on, blah, blah, blah.  I can't decide at this point if Chase will follow those unfortunate footsteps with his glasses because they are the natural tendency of a child, or if he is at an advantage since he is so young, maybe he will just get used to them early, and the transition will be easier.  Today was the first full day of glasses wearing and I stopped counting how many times I said something along the lines of, "Put your glasses back on, where are your glasses, or you can stop "cleaning them" (in other words licking them) at about 25.  Whatever.  Each day should get progressively easier.  Until the day we start patching again.  Oh, yes, that will continue.  I have decided to give him a little respite to get used to the glasses, but the patching will go on!!  What doesn't kill me will make me stronger!!!
I can for sure say this is the cutest 3 year old on the planet!  Maybe I should just start sending this picture to casting agents!!!

Things that happen when mom isn't in the room.....

The other morning, I could hear funny noises coming from my bedroom, where I thought the boys were just laying on my bed watching Mickey Mouse. So I grabbed the camera, and this is what I found....

 

He thinks he is so strong!!  Good thing I walked in right?

52 Week Challenge - Week 8

Well, this was my first week since I had to "start over" with my scale setback and all. It was a pretty good week. I should have posted on Saturday but I was in Logan with my little family at my parents house, so I am posting today. It was also good to spend some time with my parents as my dad is on a weight loss journey himself, and he was able to give me a few tips. More about that later. Anyway, my Biggest Loser points this week were 46, up a lot from last week, and I was really pleased with that, but even better was my weight loss this week. I lost two pounds!! Down to 281, but sorry to share so much, I was also on my period!! I know that can have an effect on weight loss, so I am hoping this upcoming week will be good too. Overall I am pleased and looking forward to more, I hope!!

52 Week Challenge - Week 7 - Big Setback today

Well, I have to report bad news today, but I'm not going to let it get me down. Before I report my results for this week I want to preface by saying a few things. First, please remember that I just had Taylor at the end of September. Then I decided to start my 52 week challenge the first day of January. That is a short recovery from a tough pregnancy. Since it happened during the summer, I put on a ton of weight, a lot of which was water. When I found out I was pregnant with Taylor, I weighed 263. I put on over 75 pounds while I was pregnant, putting my top weight at between 340 and 345!! Nasty and scary right!! But in the first two weeks after giving birth, I lost about 60 pounds. So I thought I was right around 285 ish, which is what I reported at the beginning of the year when I started the challenge. My first official weight was 284.

The other thing I want everyone to be aware of is that just before the challenge started I went to Target to buy a bathroom scale. A couple of things about it is that it was incredibly cheap, only $7. Also, it was analog, not digital, which I know are much better because analog are hard to read. This particular scale also only went up to 280, then it started wrapping around, which also made it hard to read, and I noticed that if I shifted my weight it would fluctuate a few pounds. Finally, it had to be turned back to zero almost every time I weighed in.

Last night, I broke down and spent more on a Health-o-meter (Good brand) digital scale. So all in all, I don't know what the problem was, I could have started higher than I thought, I was probably reading the scale wrong, or it was just defunct from the moment I started using it, but my starting weight this morning was 283. So in a way I guess I am starting over. I am going to stick to my plan of trying to lose about 2 pounds a week, so getting to 180 will take longer than a year, but that is okay. And I am not going to let this discourage me, I am just going to work harder. Please continue to support and love me, it has meant so much!!

In other news, I didn't do very well on the Biggest Loser challenge this week. I only got 39 points. That is something else I want to improve on. I am actually excited about today though. My fantastic wonderful best friend sister, Lindsay, has decided to join the Biggest Loser challenge, and she and I are having our own little contest for prizes this week to see who can get the most points. I am shooting for at least 55 this week. That would be my highest to date, and hopefully enough to get me to win!!! Love you Linds!

Thanks again to all of you, and here we go again!!

Betcha can't tell who's who!!!

This is a non-weight loss post again. Just some funny stuff of the boys I wanted to share. Taylor is exactly 5 months old today, and it just so happened that I fed him some carrots in his high chair for the first time for dinner tonight. Of course I took a picture, which stirred me to look for pictures of Chase the first time he ate in his high chair. Here are my cute boys!

This is Chase, at about 5 1/2 months eating carrots.

And this is Taylor tonight eating carrots.

Can't you tell they are brothers!! And really cute ones too!!

52 Week Challenge - Week 6

Short one this week. I have okay results this week. I am down another pound, so I am at 274, that is ten pounds total finally!! That means I get my first reward. I think it will be getting my hair done. Also, I managed to get 44 points on the Biggest Loser Challenge, which is not as good as I would like, my goal is at least 50 out of a possible 70, but it is better than last week, when my total was only 41. Hanging in there, people,I am hanging in!!!

52 Week Challenge - Week 5

Well, let's start with the bad news. I knew this was going to be a hard week for me to lose cuz I found myself cheating a lot! I don't know what my problem was, but my willpower must have gotten flushed down the toilet. I feel like it is going to motivate me to work harder this upcoming week but only time will tell. For the Biggest Loser challenge this week, I only got 41 out of a possible 70 and my goal of at least 50. That is pathetic. But I did get some good ideas about the sugar craving thing from all of you, so I think that may be a little easier for me coming up. Also, I weighed the same today. So I have to try to look at the bright side and say at least I didn't gain. So I am still at 275. That is 9 pounds so far, which if I am sticking to my 2 pound a week goal, is pretty close to target. It is week 5 so being at 9 when I am shooting for 10 is pretty darn good! I really hope this is a better week because Brad and I decided for every 10 pounds I lose I get a little reward, so my good friends, Lilly and Becki and I want to get our hair done!!

On the bright side though, I took my monthly measurements and pictures today. I was please with both of those!! I will be doing that the first Saturday of every month from now on. Today's measurements were....Arms 14.5 inches, .5 inch lost in each arm, Bust 47.5 inches, .5 inch lost, Waist 46 inches, 1 inch lost, Hips 51 inches, same, and Thighs 28 inches, 1 inch lost in each thigh!!! That is a total of 4.5 inches lost!! In 5 weeks I am very encouraged by those results! I also took pictures. I can definitely tell a difference, but I am more interested in what all of you think....

Front view, taken today.

Front view, taken January 1st.

Side profile, taken today.

Side profile, taken January 1st. What do you think?!?!?!?!

52 week challenge - Week 4

Well, I do have some fantastic results this week, if I do say so myself!! Looking forward to next week too, because I will do my once a month picture and measurement update as well. But for today, I am pleased to report...

275, 3 pounds lost, 9 total to date!!

Also, on the Biggest Loser Challenge I got 49 points this week. That is out of a possible 70, and one shy of the 50 point goal I set for myself. So I am feeling good about that too. If you want to stop reading now, you can....

However,

I would love some advice. In my first post about the Biggest Loser Challenge, I said that the two areas I was worried about getting my points in were 8 hours of sleep a night, and 5 servings a day of fruits or veggies. Surprisingly, I have done great in both of these areas. And now, after two weeks of the challenge, the one area I have never scored a point in any day is NO SUGAR!!! It is so my weakness!!! I will take any and all tips on how to curb my need to have sweets, especially chocolate, every day!! I thought it would be easy since I gave up chocolate for three years, but my willpower for sugar still hasn't kicked in!! HELP my friends!!!

Non weight loss post

My boys are growing...literally!! Today we had a double doctor appointment, Chase's three year and Taylor's four month. And both boys are doing great!!

Chase
Weight 34 lbs 80th percentile
Height 39 in. 88th percentile

Taylor
Weight 14.7 lbs 39th percentile
Height 25.5 in. 65th percentile
Head 17 in. 70th percentile

I have such big, healthy, strong boys!! I am lucky!

52 Week Challenge Week 3

Well, I knew this would be an interesting week for me. As most of you know, last Saturday we left for Disneyland, and we were there all week. In some regards I was very proud of myself. Obviously I got lots of exercise, walking all over the parks, pushing a stroller and carrying a backpack and Taylor in the Bjorn most of the week. I also planned ahead and brought lots of water and snacks into the park, including lots of fruits and veggies. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be to get my 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day as part of the Biggest Loser challenge. One thing I did notice though was that a lot of the snacks I brought, beef jerky, almonds, chips, etc, had a lot of salt, so that is something I need to be more careful of. It was also nice at the end of the day to have the boys be so tired from so much stimulation and sack out every night. I got at least 8 hours of sleep every night! But of course I did allow myself several treats, like hot chocolate and other things. I also started my period this week so that doesn't help on the scale. So, my results are as follows.....For the Biggest Loser challenge, out of a possible 70 points for the whole week, I got 52!! Which I was really pleased with because I made a personal goal to get at least 50 points a week. And as far as weight goes, 278, no change this week. It makes me want to try harder next week, and post better results. At least I didn't gain though, which is easy to do on vacation. Stay tuned!!

52 Week Challenge - Week 2

Well, an overall okay week. I had a little more stress this week as I was planning and packing for our vacation we are leaving on today. But I have to realize that that is life, and giving in to temptation when we are stressed is just no good, and has to be overcome. I did however do well on my exercising, aerobics once, and Zumba twice. I could have done better but the kids were a little under the weather so I didn't go to aerobics the other two mornings. And I did great with drinking water, so I'm pleased with myself. Something I'm looking forward to now, even this week when I'm going to be faced with temptations in Disneyland, is starting the Biggest Loser challenge I outlined in my last post. I think it will help me work harder knowing I get points for every accomplishment, and it's not just based on my weight loss. So I will start reporting on that next week.

All in all, weight loss for this week....

278, 2 pounds lost!! Right on track for my goal. Thanks again for all your support!

52 Week Challenge - Biggest Loser

One thing I have learned over the years, and through many successful and unsuccessful attempts at weight loss is that having a support system in place is key to seeing great results. It always helps when there are people to be there and pick you up when you are down, help and give advice, and all around support. I have a great support system with lots of people there for me. Especially my sister Lindsay, my great friend Becki, my parents, and my amazing husband Brad. I also have lots of other friends around showing me their support, and encouraging me.

I have been presented with another huge opportunity for support, and what I would classify as a "Challenge within my Challenge". Several ladies in my ward have the same desire I do, which is to maybe lose a little weight, but overall get healthier. The "ringleader" of our little gang, Cindy (who is an awesome friend) has put together a great goal setting program based on "The Biggest Loser".

We will keep track of our daily points, which we get for doing the following healthy things. Get 8 hours sleep, cardio exercise, resistance training, eat 5 fruits/vegetables, drink 64 ounces of water, no food after 8 pm, no caffeine, no sugar, no soda, and take a daily vitamin! I am so excited to start this!!! I have already gotten my weights out and put them in a prominant place, measured my largest cup to see how many I will have to drink to equal 64 ounces, and purchased a multi-vitamin from Walmart. I am going to do so great at this challenge!!!

I am going into it though, knowing there are a few things I will struggle with. But maybe it is good to know my weaknesses so I can strive harder to overcome them. I love fruits and veggies, but it will truly be a challenge to make sure I get at least 5 servings every day. This will be GREAT for me to work on. Also, with a 4 month old baby, getting 8 hours of sleep every night is something I really struggle with. Again though, I know how good it is for me, and I have heard the studies that show that people have an easier time losing weight when they get sufficient rest. So now in addition to updating my weight every week, and my pictures and measurements every month, I will also be updating my Biggest Loser success every week!

By the way, everyone who reads this, I really appreciate each of you. It has been so great the outpouring of love and support I have already gotten. Especially since I have been a little embarrassed about putting my huge weight number out for the world to see! I knew if I did it though, no one would judge, and I would just get that much more support. I am very grateful!

52 Week Challenge- Week 1

I am pleased to report successful results this first week. It seems that my hard work has paid off. Wait for it......
Weight 280, four pounds lost!!!
Arms 15 in, same.
Bust 48 in, same.
Waist 46.5 in, half an inch lost!!!
Hips 51 in, same.
Thighs 29 in, same.

I am pleased that things turned out well for my first week. I worked really hard on my diet to eat smaller portions, more fruits and veggies, hardly any sugar and tons of water. I also did Aerobics one morning, and Zumba three evenings. And I tried to walk as often as I could, considering the weather and that Taylor is so young. As soon as I can I want to get back to walking around the neighbor once or twice every day.

So stay tuned for next week. Thanks to all for your support so far, I am feeling very confident, and appreciative of all the love I have in my life!!

The 52 Week Challenge!

I will put at the beginning of this post that my great friend Becki and I are on a weight loss journey together and we both decided that in order to help us be more accountable we would post about it on our blogs. She has been brave and posted a lot about her situation including her starting weight, so I am going to join her! Also, I know I can do this with confidence because anyone who reads this blog loves me and won't judge me based on my size. With that said....

I am 6 foot 1 in tall. I have always been tall, but with that came other things. "Big bones", "Broad shoulders", "Strength". But those things came with another title in my head "FAT!!!!" When I graduated high school I weighed 200 pounds. Then I went off to school at SUU, and I had to walk everywhere, and I made great friends that I enjoyed goofing around with, and I had limited money so I didn't eat as much. I also decided to cut sugar out of my diet my freshman year. Therefore, in the course of that year I lost 20 pounds and got down to 180. I felt great, looked great, and now as I look back to that 15 years and two kids ago, I realize that is where I want to be again. A healthy 180 pounds. I think that is very reasonable for someone who is 6 foot 1 inch tall.

So hear we go. The reason I am titling my journey the 52 week challenge is multi-faceted. It is very convenient that there are 52 weeks in a year. I would like to have achieved my goal in a year. And it just so happens that 52 x 2 is 104. In order to reach my goal of 180 I will have to lose 104 pounds. That is right, people. I am putting it out there for all the world to see. I am starting at 284 pounds. (As of Saturday, January 1st, when I intended to post this.) I am also going to post my measurements, as I think they can also be a great indication of weight loss. My arms are 15 inches, my bust is 48 inches, my waist is 47 inches, my hips are 51 inches, and my thighs are 29 inches.

I will be updating this blog every Saturday after my morning weigh in. I know I may not always reach my weekly goal of 2 pounds, but with help, encouragement and hard work I can strive to get there, and get more healthy and feel better about myself in the process. I would love any comments to help me along my way. Here goes......

Me now, front view, and unhappy. We'll see how that facial expression changes over the weeks!

Me now, side view. Not for long!!!