How I'm Still Doing It!

It's been a little over 10 months since I posted on my blog how I lost my weight.  I think it may be time for an update!  I also found a "better" before picture.  I believe the "before" photo above is me at my heaviest, and there aren't anymore pictures of me at this weight.  I believe I was about 190 lbs.  Just before I gave birth to my firstborn, I tipped the scale at 206lbs.  EEEKKK!  Now, with giving birth to a baby and loosing all the "stuff" that *ahem* comes out after giving birth, the scale settled pretty quickly.  The only thing was, I was afraid to weigh myself.  I remember purchasing my first pair of non-maternity pants---the very same pants I was wearing in the before picture above.  I cried.  The pant size I had to purchase was a size 17.  I had never in my life been that size.  When I finally weighed myself several weeks after this photo was taken, I was 187.  So, to revisit my journey of how I lost 70lbs, please visit my previous post, "How I Did It." 

How I'm Still Doing It

At the end of May, I reached 118lbs, and now I go between 118lbs to 120lbs.  I have to say that helping my husband with his weight loss has helped keep me accountable in my own journey of keeping my weight off.  We make vegetable and fruit smoothies every morning.  We remind each other of how many calories are in foods we are eating.  We enjoy healthy, homemade meals together. We workout together.  I am so thankful for the fitness and nutrition partner I have!  

The month of December was a hard month to get through.  I have to admit, I only exercised a handful of times.  I didn't eat as well as I should have.  This is why I get it.  I get how easy it is to get out of good habits.  The "before" picture is now on my fridge to remind me of that.  When life gets tough (and it did with death, illness, and just plain busyness), it's easy to let health fall by the wayside.  But, if you end up putting these very important things on the back burner, you will end up feeling worse!  I learned that last month, so, I'm praying for strength that the next time life gets though, I get tougher!

Yesterday, I started Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 Days program.  OUCH!  I am still strong, but I'm in pain!  It was encouraging to finish the workout today without feeling the need to hurl.  I felt like that yesterday!  My muscles have come out of hiding and are now working hard!  It's encouraging how fast you can feel the result of a good workout!

With that, I hope that you are striving to get in shape or stay in shape.  Even if you are at your ideal weight, exercise and eating healthy are necessary to be healthy!

Overall Fitness Update...The Hubby and I

It has been a couple weeks since Troy and I finished up the 30 Day Shred.  The day after we finished that up, we left for a 10 vacation to visit my brother and his family in the great state of Washington.  We stayed with my brother and he was kind enough to let us use his kitchen, so we only ate a total of 5 meals out!  That is incredible for a period of 10 days on vacation!!!  The rest of the meals were healthy and homemade.  We also had spinach & fruit smoothies (with whey protein and flax) every morning.  I am happy to report that neither of us gained weight.  We also worked out several times during our visit to WA.

My hubby and I on a date night in Spokane, WA.  We ate out at Jimmy John's that night.  Mmm!

When we got home, we started back up on my second round of Supreme 90 Day.  I have to say, that these workouts are still the most challenging for me.  No matter how strong I think I am, there is always a heavier weight I can use and I can always squat or lunge deeper.  There are always challenges to be had!  It feels so good to get back into this program!  And I love that Troy is doing it with me.  We had to buy him new shorts because his are falling off!  He is now down to 202 lbs.  That is down 16 lbs from his heaviest last year.  I'm so happy for him!  Counting his calories is certainly paying off, as is "Zig-Zagging" his calories.  Have you all heard of that?  I will explain how to do that and give a link to the calculator in a post ASAP.  The basic idea is to consume the same total weekly calories, but "zig-zag" the daily totals.    So, you could have 1200 calories one day, 1450 the next, and 1600 the next.  The theory behind it is to avoid plateaus because your body never gets used to what it's getting.  It seems to be working so far!

I'm not sure if it is my recent phenomenon of calorie zig-zagging or the fact that I weaned my twelve-month-old a couple weeks ago, but all of a sudden, I've lost three pounds...a half pound every few days.  This is the first time in my life that I can honestly say that I'm not trying!  I kept the same amount of calories as I did nursing because I hit my goal weight, therefore, I need to consume enough calories to maintain.  SO, I sure don't mind!!!  I am at 120 lbs now, and can't believe the scale!  (PS  I'm fitting into a size 2 now.  I have NEVER fit into a size 2 before, nor did I ever expect to!)

12 months post-pregnancy isn't all that bad!  :)

Lastly, but most importantly, I want to remind you all that the number one reason, as a follower of Christ, that I do this blog, my Facebook fit club, and get y'all into nutrition and exercise is because God made our bodies for more than just empty calories, high-frutose corn syrup, and the couch.  Let's all be good stewards of the bodies God gave us, whether you are trying to loose weight, bulk up, or just being fit.  There will be days of disappointment, whether it is in the way we ate that day, the fact that we couldn't get a workout in, or the because the scale didn't budge.  I've been there.  But, as long as you are moving and putting the right things in your body, you will feel good!  May God continue to bless your fitness endeavors!

Overall Fitness Update.

Our Facebook Fit Club's first walk/hike up Mt. Rubidoux

I'm on day 24 of my second round of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  I will soon be updating you with my stats for the whole 60 days.  I can tell you that I have lost a few more pounds and have now passed my goal weight of 125.  I weigh in at 123.6.  Seriously folks.  I have now lost a third of my body weight since I had my first child.  I am amazed at the strength God has given me!  He has also given me the desire to help others, and because I have very limited time, I have found a convenient way to do that.  Of course, this blog's goal is to inform and help others with their fitness goals.  But, more directly, I have started a "Fit Club" via Facebook for people in my church, or who are associated with my church somehow.  Folks at church were asking how I lost weight or how I was getting in shape and several of them started the Supreme 90 Day program because of my results.  The Facebook group was a way to support each other through our lifelong fitness journey!  I believe it is helping these individuals by encouraging to keep with it!

Supreme 90 Day Wrap-Up

Before: 144lbs                             After: 128lbs

(For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links.)

I finally finished my Supreme 90 Day* workout program!  It took me more like 135 days, but whose counting anyway?  I lost 16 pounds and a whole lot of inches (see below).  I went from a size 11 to a size 3.  After 6 1/2 years of marriage and three kids, my wedding dress is TOO BIG!!! I have NEVER been this strong in my life!  I can do pushups...REAL pushups!  I am definitely going to do this program again, just after I finish the Jillian Michaels' 30 Day shred.  Although, I hope it doesn't take me 135 days the next time around.  I hear my bathing suit calling my name for the summer!  Here are the results in inches:

Before/After/Total Lost

Chest:  34.5" / 31.75" / 2.75"Waist:  32" / 28.25" / 3.75"
Navel: 36" / 30.75" / 5.25"
Hips:  38" / 33.75" / 4.25"
Arms:  11.5" / 10" / 1.5" (in each arm)
Thighs:  17.25" / 14.75" / 2.5" (in each thigh)
Calves:  13.5" / 12.5" / 1" (in each calf)
Total inches lost:  26" all over!!!

Before: 185 lbs                  After: 128 lbs

To top it all off, this final stint of my weight loss is the final chapter in loosing my baby weight.  Above are my "before/after" photos.  In the before photo, I was 185 lbs after my first child.  In the after photo, I was 128 lbs 9 months after having my third child.  I've lost 58 lbs!  Here is to staying healthy and KEEPING IT OFF!!!!

*You can buy Supreme 90 Day at Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walgreens, or Amazon.com for around 20 bucks.  I saw it around Christmas time at Bed Bath & Beyond for 10.  Definitely worth the money!


Update June 2015:  This workout system is honestly the best I've tried, and I've tried a lot of the most popular (Insanity, 21 Day Fix, Jillian Michaels, BBL to name a few!).  After over three years of finishing this system for the first time, I always come back to these workouts.  They are the most effective for me!  If you want an amazing workout system that you will keep going back to, please click on the link below!  It is no longer available in stores!  Amazon seems to be one of the only ones carrying this GEM of a workout system.

AP Days 17-19: Took a break

I didn't get nearly enough sleep this weekend. Friday night, our baby girl was miserable and crying of and on throughout the night, so needless to say, I didn't hear my alarm to get up to exercise. I also took my regular rest day on Sunday, so I had a nice break. I woke up bright and early this morning. Okay, maybe not so bright. To tell you the truth, my eyes are stinging and I feel as though I'm going to hurl. But, I know, once I start working out, that will all go away. I need to press on. I need to pray for the strength to press on. Now down to business! On the plus side, I got down to 144.8! Woooohooo!

Accountability Post Day 15

145.4! Sweet! Gotta run! Literally...

Accountability Post Day 14

Going Down. S-L-O-W-L-Y. 146.0...it was stuck in between 146.4 and 147.4 for a loooong time. That's all for now!

Accountability Post: Day 7

Alright. The scale budged. It budged back to 146.4. Now, I know it doesn't always matter what the scale says, but in the case I know the number on the scale does effect the way I fit into my clothes and so on. I was prepared to be bummed out again in regards to seeing upwards of 147. So, I was pleasantly surprised. I can actually see my abs getting flatter now. I'm actually on my 3rd week of a specific ab workout from my Weight Watchers Magazine. Its good to see results, I suppose, even if those results aren't really showing much on the scale!

Accountability Post: Day 6

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Sigh. I may feel thinner sometimes, but the scale sure isn't showing it. In fact, it seems that it went up a bit and has been stuck there for a week. It has been stuck between 147.2-147.4 and I can't get it to budge. I am praying the Lord gives me patience and perseverance. I can't do this without His strength. I need it to keep getting up before the sun does so I can have time to work out. The verse in Hebrews reminds me of that. I thank the Lord that he cares even about these small desires of mine. That is amazing. The great God of the entire universe cares about that.

30 Days of Accountability: Day 1

Coming back from vacationing and constantly being busy this summer, I gained 3 lbs. That doesn't sound like much, and, I know it all reality, it isn't. However, I didn't want to gain anything...I wanted to LOOSE more! I noticed back in May when I did the Mastering My Metabolism posts, it was a good thing for me to be held accountable to posting. It kept me in check. That is what this blog is really for. So, this starts 30 days of posts. Some may be just rambling about my struggles, and some may be informational, and some, I hope, may be sharing my accomplishments.
My current goal is to get to 130 pounds so I can get pregnant again at a healthier weight. It sounds weird, but I'd like to gain more in my pregnancy than last time. I only gained 19 lbs, and I read that the little weight gain could have contributed to the HEELP syndrome I came down with (NOT FUN!). So, here's to another goal! I'm at 146 right now, so, 30 days from now (September 24th) I hope to 136 lbs. I know that will be a lot of work , so I better get moving!

I DID IT!!!

A few weeks ago, I decided to try on my wedding dress. I was very surprised at how easily the button snapped! Of course I am not as tanned or toned as I was on my wedding day, BUT I DID IT! I'm very pleased to have met that goal. Now, to get to 125 by the end of the summer is my next goal. My husband, Troy, was very kind to help me in and out of the dress (it is heavy!!!) and take a few pictures of me...

40 lbs LOST!

Before (185-ish) and Right Now (145lbs)
~40 lbs lost~

I remember the first time I weighed myself after Jackson was born. I waited several weeks to weigh myself after giving birth out of the fear of the number on the scale. When I finally got the guts to weigh myself, I discovered I was 185 lbs. I was devastated. The last time I weighed in before giving birth to Jackson---the day before he was born---I weighed in at 206 lbs. I gained 63 lbs during the pregnancy. From that first number on the scale several weeks after the birth of my fist child, and after another pregnancy and the birth of my second child, I have now lost a total of 40 pounds! I suppose I'll keep on going... :)

Mastering My Metabolism: Day 14

Technically Sunday was day 14, the last day of the "trial" eating plan, so I will sum it up today. I weighed in at 145.6, so that is nearly 3 lbs lost in two weeks. I would say that is decent. As I said, I also am getting better sleep each night. Troy has lost 4 lbs as well. So, WHY NOT keep eating this way? I love all the cooking it involves because I love cooking with fresh ingredients. I can't stand the dishes, though. I'll have to work on that! So, at 145 lbs, this leaves me only 2 lbs from the weight I was before I got pregnant with Jackson, and only 10-12 lbs from where I was when I got married, hence when I fit into my wedding dress. I really hope to fit into it by this time next month, but I do realize there is a possibility that I will only loose a pound a week. The dress may be a bit tight. Never the less, I would say I've come a far way! I won't be too dissapointed if the dress is a bit snug or doesn't fit. I know I can still keep loosing weight after our 5th anniversary. Anyways, here's to almost 5 years of marriage! :)

Mastering My Metabolism: Day 13

I'm down to 146.4, which is only 3 lbs from my pre-pre pregnancy weight! :) Troy lost two more pounds, for a total of 4 lost since we started this eating plan last Monday. I'm happy for him. I just keep in mind I probably will loose weight at 1/2 the rate he does, so its somewhat motivating somehow!

Mastering My Metabolism: Day 6

This morning Troy weighed himself. He lost two pounds. Don't get me wrong...I am VERY happy for him! However, this situation reminded me of the SlimQuick commercial when the wife does a bunch of stuff to loose weight, but the husband looses the weight instead. I did loose 1 lb this week, but in order to do that, I have worked out hard everyday this week, and miticuously watched what I ate. Troy, on the other hand, went jogging twice this week and wasn't as miticulous about what he ate. He basically ate what I made for him, and snacked more than I did. I even gave him bigger portions than myself. I guess that is the difference between men and women (or at least one of them!). I suppose I will turn his easy weight-loss into motivation for myself---somehow! :)

Mastering My Metabolism: Day 2

After only one day of this "lifestyle change," I went down to 147.2 on the scale after being stuck between 148.6 and 149.6 for a few months. Sweet. It may be just water weight, but its a start. I worked out yesterday and today. It feels good.

1 lb!

That is what I have lost since I last posted. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but my anniversary is drawing near! I'm at 148.2. I would love to see those numbers start to drop!

March Madness

For whatever reason, I gained 2 lbs this month. I know weight fluctuates, but after hitting the ten pound mark, that isn't something that I want to see. But, I will say, I lost those two pounds and I am back down to 149.4. It looks like I still owe myself a pedicure (anyone want to join me?), and I still need to post some pictures of my ten pounds lost. So, that is where I've been all month...mostly being mad at the scale for not showing me the numbers I worked so hard for! I took the "after" photos today, so I promise to get those photos up ASAP!

Hello, 140's!!!!

After 3 years and two pregnancies, I am seeing the 140-somethings on the scale again. I can not tell you how happy this makes me feel! I weighed-in this morning at 149.8. Seriously amazing. I can actually see my ab muscles forming under what was formally the texture of cookie dough---any woman who has had a baby or two knows exactly what I am talking about! I'm going to attribute this to eating healthy, of course, but also a new work-out program I started. It is basically cardio + toning through interval training. I started it just three weeks ago, but I am very pleased with the results already! I also am so thankful that God has given me strength and perseverance to do what I need to do to loose weight. What a way to start a weekend! :)

Yesterday and the Day Before

Yesterday, I weighed in at 152.4 lbs. That is slightly over 7 pounds lost in about 5 weeks. And, as my husband said last night, I am doing it the old-fashioned way. No dieting. That's right. I'm not dieting. I'm just eating at healthy as I possibly can manage on a regular basis. I'm making the healthy decisions like not eating out and never cooking unhealthy. Just a side note, I LOVE home-cooked healthy food way, way, way better than any fat-filled, sodium-stuffed food from any restaurant! Oh yes, and one more secret to this newly-found success...I still eat chocolate everyday. I only allow myself I peice of dark chocolate and that satisfies me. To balance the eating out, I also am exercising. So, I am loosing weight by eating healthy and exercising. And its working. The last time I lost weight this way, I lost 60 lbs and I kept it off (give and taken a few pounds) for 3 years, until I got pregnant with my first baby.

The day before yesterday, I walked into Chipotle*, and a fellow twenty-somethingish girl asked me, "How old is your baby?" I replied, "5 months. Almost 6." To my surprise, she replied back, "Your TINY!" Oh! That is exactly what I need to hear! Ten months after having my first baby, someone asked me if I was pregnant, so I would say that this is progress! So, whoever you are, fellow twenty-somethingish girl: THANK YOU! You can run into me anytime and tell me that!

*(which I haven't had in over a month, and I only ate 1/2 of!)