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!!!