Realized something

Up until this point I have been obsessed with the number on the scale. I weigh myself every morning when I wake up, as this is considered your "true weight". This past week, despite working my butt off at the gym and watching every morsel I put in my mouth, that number on the scale has stayed exactly, I mean EXACTLY  the same, TO. THE. POINT. How frustrating is that? I decided to keep working at it, and not be discouraged. With a little extra effort Saturday, Sunday  morning I was two pounds less, and in the next number group! (A lot of people don't know what I mean when I say Im in the next number group -- this means that, say I was 120 pounds (lol) and now I am 119 lbs, I am in the next number group)  This is sooo exciting to me.

Well, I have discovered something this morning.

Two years back I lost a bunch of weight. This was due to a crash diet, and working out like mad. As soon as I started feeling comfortable with my weight, I started eating more and the weight just came back on, and then some. When I lost the weight initially, I went out shopping and bought myself new work clothes. This is where what I discovered this morning comes in. The "small pants" that I had bought back when I initially lost weight ARE TOO BIG FOR ME. Say whatttt? TOO BIG? Wow.

I have realized I need to stop worrying about the number on the scale, and start realizing how I feel. My clothes are too big. Although sooo annoying, as it is impossible to find something to wear, it is AWESOME! (I refuse to buy new clothes until I absolutely cant live in these "big" ones anymore)

Here are a couple things I have noticed during my weight loss so far: (that may not seem like much to you, but they are huge to me!)

- cardio has improved big time
- can run for at least 10 minutes straight
- can plank for 1 minute
- was size 15 pants, now a size 10 (although 10 are too big!)
- my engagement ring is too big
- was large shirt, now a medium or small

Another little victory I had this weekend: Saturday night/Sunday morning it snowed like mad. I don't have any big snow pants but I wanted to go play with the girls in the snow. I decided to pull out my snow pants that my dad bought me when I was 15 or 16...and they fit. .... They fit!!! I did them up and wore them all morning comfortably. Wow. I am just amazed.
After struggling with this weight for the past 5 years I am just amazed at what can be accomplished once you put your mind to it. xo -B

Should have done this sooner

So I definitely should have done this a lot sooner, but its now or never right? As a mom of 2, I know that when you are pregnant, it is very easy to gain weight. What I didnt know at the time, was how hard it was going to be to get that weight off. With daughter #1 going to be 6 at the end of this year, it's about time for me to finally get rid of the extra pounds I gained while pregnant with her. 

So that takes me to November 15, 2010. I decided that from that day forward I was making a commitment to finally and ACTUALLY lose the weight. I am not going to post my starting weight (cause come on, what woman wants to actually tell how much they weigh?) But I will say that it was too much. My initial goal was to lose 45 lbs which would take me to my weight before daughter #1. Once I hit that weight, then I will re-asses the situation. 

So where am I now? I always "count" my weight loss on Tuesdays, I record my weight each week so here it is: 

week 1> 5.2-
week 2> 2.6-
week 3> 3.4-
week 4> 3.2-
week 5> 1.6-
week 6> 0.0-
week 7> 2.2-
week 8> 1.8-
week 9> 2.0-
week 10> 1.0-  

Week 11> 0.4- 

Week 12> 4.8-
Week 13> 1.6-
Week 14> 1.0-

I have a lot of people asking me how I am doing it. If you are thinking of getting on the weight loss train here is a little bit of advice from me..You will have your biggest loss week 1 as it is mostly water weight. Make sure you are drinking lots of water and DONT deprive yourself of foods. Just watch your portions. Portion control is huge. Try not to eat out if possible....portions are way too big. Always get sauces on the side. If you are having salad, have your dressing on the side, dip your fork in the dressing and then into the salad. You will be surprised at how little dressing you need. Obviously avoid empty calories such as candy, alcohol etc...If you are crazy craving something "bad" have a piece of gum, brush your teeth, anything to put it off.Get your exercise in every day! Even if its only a little, make sure you move. Today I was stranded as my vehicle doesnt go very well in the snow...which means no gym for me. This morning I took my girls out in the snow. We went sledding. Whenever I would go back up the hill I would RUN. Full force run. Then we went for a walk. When I got back in, I did crunches and danced to some music....every little bit of movement helps. I will add that the roads got much better, so I hit the gym. But if the roads had stayed bad, I wouldnt have been too upset, as I managed to get my heart beat up here at home. 

Anyway, I think I have done enough rambling as it is. I will keep posting my thoughts on here as much as possible. xo - B

PS, Here is a photo of me showing my progress so far. Pic 1 is day 1 - November 15. Pic 2 is December 11, Pic 3 is February 11. Oh, and as of this day, I am down 33 lbs.