What?

Did I say I was gonna to try to lose weight before Christmas? Um, I'm pretty sure this is the wrong time of the year to start a weight loss crusade. I'm up to my eye balls in sweets. But after Christmas you can be dang sure I'm gonna lose some weight. Mark my words. Mark 'em. Now. (I'm a little hyper right now.)

Is anyone out there...out there...out there...?

That's me echoing if you couldn't tell. So here's an update:

I haven't been eating as conscientiously as I was last month, but luckily, I have pretty much maintained my weight loss. Within a pound or so. But I really want to lose a few more pounds by Christmas, so I'm going to get really strict again and my goal is to lose 5 - 6 pounds by Christmas. Let's see if I can do it. My plan is to do the same thing as I was doing (counting calories and eating clean-ish), but I will also definitely be working out. I need to get back to the gym.

So my plan is to run and do weight training 4 days a week. I will take before and after pictures too. That's always good motivation.

Wish me luck.


P.S. Are you wondering about the half-marathon? Well, we didn't go to Seattle for Thanksgiving, which was when we were going to do it, and I pretty much stopped running once it got freezing and snowy, so I wasn't ready anyway. So... the half-marathon will have to happen in the spring. There will be a race here in May, so that is my new goal. I will do a half-marathon at some point. Don't you worry about that.

Progress!

BEFORE (April- about 6 weeks after Kate was born)

That was pretty brave of me to post those. :)

AFTER!! (today)

I am wearing the same shirt, if you couldn't tell. I am 3 lbs from my goal weight, but I might try to lose a couple more pounds after that. We'll see. Counting calories works! I have also been eating clean and that works very well too. I am so happy to finally be close to my goal!

Cramming

You know how people often cram for a big test in school? Well, I'm pretty much CRAMMING for my half-marathon. It's kind of crazy. I definitely have not been running as much as I should have been, so now I have just 5 weeks to really push myself.

Sometimes I think that I hate running. But that's usually right before I head out the door. After the first mile is over, I start to think, Hey, I actually like this!

And remember when I said I only like to run on the treadmill? I feel the exact opposite now. Running outside is so refreshing, and now the treadmill sounds like the most monotonous thing ever. I'm not looking forward to running at the gym this winter.

Stress-eating.

I am totally a stress-eater, if there is such a thing. I never realized it until recently. When I'm stressed out I eat constantly, thinking that it will help somehow. It actually just makes it worse.

It's a really hard problem to fix. I wish it were as easy as, "just chew some gum instead" or "go for a walk." I'm sure something like that would help, but I feel like this is a bad-habit that I've had for so long that it will be pretty hard to break.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Seattle Half-Marathon and an update

I'm definitely doing the Seattle one. I'm having such a hard time getting back into running. I started really enjoying it when I was getting ready for the 5k, but I'm not there yet this time. I actually dread running. I know it will get easier and soon I will probably look forward to my runs. Maybe.

I have been more strict with eating well lately, and I'm really seeing results! I am now at my pre-pregnancy weight and I have about 8 lbs to go until I am at my goal weight. I just need to start doing weight training again at the gym. That always makes a huge difference (when I'm consistent).

The hardest thing about losing weight is that it takes time. You have to be patient. And when you are not seeing immediate results, it's hard to stay motivated. I hope I can keep this up and get to my goal weight in the next 4 or 5 weeks.

10/10/10

Here's the plan:

On October 10th, 2010 I will be running a half-marathon here in Spokane.

However, if I don't feel ready as that date approaches, I will run the Seattle half-marathon, which is on November 28th. The Seattle one sounds a lot cooler, so I might do that one.

Goals

I've realized that I need goals to keep me going. When I knew I had a 5K coming up, I ran about 4 days a week. But since that race, I have run just a few times. I'm bummed because I was really starting to like running. So I've set another goal!

Nate and I will be running a half-marathon. Yay! I've never had a strong desire to run races, but if it keeps me motivated then I think it's a great idea. Nate could probably run a half-marathon tomorrow. He's been running a lot for the past few months. But he is going to train with me and that will help us both. I'm not sure which race we are going to do, but I will keep you posted.

So there you have it. I'm back in the game!

Contest Results

Remember how Nate and I made a goal to each lose 10 lbs by July 4th? Well...

I lost 6. Not 10. Dang it.

But Nate lost 12! Go Nate! He has actually lost over 25 lbs in the last 3 months. I am so proud of him.

I'm just glad that I am losing weight at all, even if it is not coming off as quickly as I'd like.

Mission Complete

I did the 5K on Saturday and it went pretty well. I ran the whole way and didn't finish last! :)

This was right before we headed to the race.

Me, Stephanie (younger sister), her boyfriend Trevor, Melanie (older sister), and her husband Nate

Running

I'm pretty excited... I ran 2.5 miles on Thursday and then again yesterday. That's a big deal for me because when I first started running (a couple weeks ago) I wanted to quit after about .25 miles.

I feel like I can run farther each time and it is getting easier. And I don't dread it anymore. I'm actually starting to like running. Wow! It's like a breakthrough! :)

My 5k is next weekend and I'm excited for my first race ever!

In other news, I have 4 lbs to lose in order to win our little contest. Hmm... not likely. But Nate will probably reach his goal, so yay for him. Counting calories works I tell you! But it's not easy, that's for sure.

So...

I'm probably not going to reach my goal (lose 10 lbs by July 4th). I've lost 4 lbs since we started this little challenge, so I only have 2 weeks left to lose 6 lbs. Not likely.

It's OK though because I'm going strong! I am eating really well and working out almost everyday. I can tell that my clothes are getting looser and I'm fitting into more of my pre-pregnancy clothes. It's a great feeling!

P.S. I'm not a fan of running. At all. So it's been hard forcing myself to run to get ready for this 5K. I wish I liked to run, but I just don't.

I'm super dedicated lately for 2 reasons...

#1. Nate and I are currently having a competition to see which one of us can lose 10 lbs by the 4th of July. We started a few days ago. Its a lofty goal, but I'm hopeful. If I win, I get a $150 clothing shopping spree, which I really need.

#2. My sisters and I just decided to run a 5K together on July 3rd, and I don't want to come in last. :)

Wish me luck!!

My Favorite Things

Asparagus is awesome. I love it. And each spear is like 3 calories. I could eat it all day long.

I'm thankful for Crystal Light. Water gets old sometimes.

Gardenburgers are good.

Sandwich Thins are just 100 calories, and they help you to eat smaller portions too.

Ok, I'm back

I feel motivated again! Phew. I've worked out the past 2 days and I've eaten really well. I know I can do this. Thanks for your words of encouragement, by the way. It helps.

Yesterday, I decided to do my Turbo Jam DVD while the girls were occupied. I hadn't done it in months.

It worked out really well. Kate was asleep in her swing, and I put Paige at the table with snacks and coloring books. She kept saying, "Keep going, mom!" It was so cute. And then after a while she said, "Ok mom, that's enough." I missed doing Turbo Jam. It's fun and it goes by really quickly. I'm going to try to it whenever I get a chance. It's nice to be able to workout at home.

Help!

I can't stop eating! I don't know what is wrong with me. For a while there, I was so motivated and I was staying within my calorie limits, but now I've lost my motivation and I just feel hopeless. Ugh! Any suggestions?

Also, I think it is so hard to exercise when you have a newborn. I am exhausted all the time, so working out sounds like death. Man, this is hard.

I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening. :)

Progress

I've lost some weight, folks. I'm not sure how much, but my clothes are getting a bit looser. This is me today...

It's a start!

When I'm really craving junk food...

this is what I eat to keep me sane.

I love this sorbet because its only 120 calories per serving and its fat-free.

Sometimes you really need chocolate.

And I just love Kettle Corn.

The Goal

OK, I wasn't going to post "before" pictures until I reached my goal, but I changed my mind. I'm not very happy at this weight, but I have to keep reminding myself that I just had a baby about 6 weeks ago. I know it takes time.


Note: These photos were taken on April 8th





So this bottom picture was in the fall of 2008, when I had just found out I was pregnant with our second baby (which ended in a miscarriage). This was my first "belly pic." I was about 15 pounds lighter than I am now, so this photo is basically me at my goal weight. I think I can... I think I can...

Can I just point out that my boobs are huge right now compared to then? I hate it because none of my shirts fit. Ugh!!!

Well...

Things are going great in the weight loss department. Ha ha ha ...

It was sooooooo good. And I shared it with about 6 other people, so don't be too horrified.

Weight loss for moms

Does anyone else think that losing weight is much more difficult when you are home almost all day long? I know that when I am busy, I don't think about food and treats all the time. I've realized that I just need to come up with a hobby. My girls keep me really busy, but I guess my mind isn't busy enough. Eating is probably not the best hobby either. I love baking, but that's not going to help me lose weight.

I have always wanted a hobby. So... what are your hobbies?

Umm...

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I am really struggling lately with my calorie limitations. Ugh! I just want this to be easy.

So far...

I've lost 1.5 lbs. It's a start!

I've been staying within my calorie limit pretty well and walking at the gym too. As annoying as counting calories is- it works.

Before and After

FYI: I have taken some "before" photos, but I don't have the guts to post them. So I am going to post them along with my "after" photos as soon as I reach my goal weight. I can't wait to get to that point. Nothing fits me right now and it's driving me crazy!

This is the transformation I'm going for. :)

Working Out

I went back to the gym today for the first time in months. I'm going to start out with just walking for the first week or two. Then I will start running and adding weight training again. Exercising is pretty hard when you are completely out of shape, but I don't think it will take too long for me to get back into it.

The Plan

Diet:

I'm going to count calories because it has always worked for me in the past, and I will stay around 1,800 calories.

I'm also going to try to Eat Clean as much as possible.

Exercise:

I'm going to get back to the gym and workout 3 or 4 times a week.

Pretty simple, right? I hope I can stay motivated.

The time has come...

to lose some weight!! I just had my 2 week post-partum check-up on Wednesday and I am 6 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. However, I was not happy with that weight, so I am making the goal to lose 15 pounds.

That sounds a little bit daunting, but I know I can do it. I am not liking this post-baby body at all. The muffin top thing is so last season. So follow along as I attempt to get lean and healthy. yay!

Also, is anyone else trying to lose weight? Let's do it together!