Wow!

I haven't written about me in a while. I'm regaining the motivation to keep going. I'm super proud to say I've not gained any weight back even with the failures I've had. I even got down to 191!!!!

For whatever reason that number just seemed to be unattainable. I'm more excited now than ever to get into the 180's. That's my next mini-goal! I will hopefully be there next week!

It's so hard to keep this up, but I'm so determined to keep on. I was exploring the forums over at 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet and found an awesome quote: "Being fat is hard, working out is hard, maintaining is hard. Choose your hard." I definitely never want to feel the hard that being fat brings! I love the feeling of losing and meeting my goals!

It's not been too hard to keep on the diet plan, though I don't track my calories as closely as I should be. I've still been losing. I've had almost no motivation to workout, however. Most of that comes from not getting enough sleep and being tired. I really need to get back into it. It seems to be the glue that sort-of holds my healthy lifestyle together. When I workout I'm more motivated to eat right and my body just works better. So, tomorrow I'll be waking at 8 and eating a light snack before working out. Then comes breakfast, and a day of eating on plan. No waiting til Monday. I'm starting NOW!

Weekly Challenge: Buy Workout Gear

I don't know about you, but I'm always ready to use something I've just bought.  Whenever I get home from shopping trips, the first thing I want to do is put on my new clothes.  Whenever I buy workout gear, I can't wait to get home and try it out.  So my challenge to you is to get some new gear!

You don't have to go out and spend a fortune.  Maybe you just spend 15 bucks on a new sports bra like the Danskin Now one I reviewed.  Or maybe you want to shell out some dough and get a treadmill.  I don't care what you go for, just get something that you want to use BAD.

I've been doing a lot of research on kettle bells.  I'm really wanting one.  It looks like such a great way to get a good cardio workout at the same time as using weights.  So, I'm getting one this weekend and I'm sure I'll want to rush home to use it!

Recipe: Chicken and Rice

This Chicken and Rice is very filling and tastes like its unhealthy.  I swear it tastes just like chicken and dumplings without all the fat of the dumplings.  The recipe is approximate measurements.  Be sure to check often, if it's looking too thick then add a little water to the mix.  I didn't have any stock or broth on hand when I made it, so I decided to just make my own by boiling the chicken and vegetables for a bit before adding the rice.  If you're short on time then buy a low sodium Chicken Broth and substitute for the water.  You can also add one cube of chicken bullion to the water instead of the salt, pepper and poultry seasoning.  A Serving is about 1 cup.

Progress Report: Week 1

I'm so excited for this report! I was so nervous that I wouldn't make any progress this week, and would have to admit my failure.  I'm excited to say that I'm right on track for my goal!

Begining Stats	This Week
Weight: 195.4 Waist: 39" Bust: 43" Arms: 12" Hips: 44.5" Thighs: 26.5"	Weight: 193.0 Waist:  38" Bust:  41.5" Arms: 12"  Hips: 44" Thighs:  26"

I'm so excited! That's 2.4 pounds down and 1 inch from my waist! I did cheat a little bit, and am very bummed I did.  I wonder what my stats would be if I didn't cheat! Oh, well, I'm back on track now!

Beginning Photos

 I also missed one day of working out.  I was kinda down on myself for doing that, but I know that mindset will just cause me to fail again.  Yesterday I did two of the EA Sports Active 2 workouts back to back.  I can feel my body getting stronger.  I can now complete 10 push-ups, do a lot of sit-ups at once.  I'm amazed at how fast my core is getting stronger! The workouts are getting easier too! I think after next week, I'll begin to run in the mornings!

Week 1: A little different from week 1!

I really need to work on getting enough sleep.  I should be waking up at 7:30 working out and eating by 9 am in order to get my metabolism on the right track, but I'm all backwards.  I've been going to bed at 2 and waking up at 11 am, yes L will sleep that late.

Please let me know what your stats are this week! I'd love to have support from others on this journey.

I almost forgot, how do you like the new look for the blog? I've been working for about a week straight getting it to look good.  There are tabs on the side and across the top to make navigation easier for you.  The tabs are pretty self explanatory and each page will tell you what days they will be updated.  Thanks for being on this journey with me!

Product Review: Danskin Now- Surplice Foam Sport Bra

One of the toughest problems I've had is finding a sports bra that will support me properly.  When I would workout and run, or jump my 38DD's would practically hit me in the face.  Not to mention how it hurt when they would "drop."  I did a little digging around to see what sports bras were out there that would actually keep the girls still and where they are supposed to be.  I found this great article that not only gives recommendations for good bras, but tells what to look for in a bra.

I would have loved to get one that she recommends, but I didn't want to shell out so much money for a sports bra when I'm losing weight and wouldn't be able to wear it in the future.  So with my info in hand, I decided to start where every redneck woman starts--Walmart.

I was thrilled to see that they had several great options there.  I quickly narrowed my choices down to just a few and headed to the fitting room.  You absolutely MUST try before you buy! There's no way to ensure a great fit if you don't!  While I was in there, I made sure to give a jumping test and running test.  Only 2 made the cut.  

I decided to go ahead and buy only one.  I chose the Danskin Now-Surplice Foam Sport Bra.  It's a great High-Impact bra.  (You can see a pic of me wearing it in the beginning progress shot.)  I went with the white one, but only because our store didn't have them in other colors.  I really wish I could get the red one in the picture.  

This bra continues to amaze me.  I got the 38D which is the largest one they had there.  I should have gotten the 40 D as I'm stuffed into it. I love the molded cups and the hook-eye closure. It's an extremely comfortable bra! There have been comments about my boobs bouncing while I'm wearing this, but I don't feel the "drop" like I used to.  And honestly, jiggle is going to jiggle.  I really don't feel any bounce at all in this.

The only cons are because of it being a size too small.  My boobs are stuffed in their like a sausage.  I don't like that it pushed my boobs together as much as it does.  I have been known to get a little rash in my cleavage from them being together like that.  A little more separation would go a long way.  I honestly don't know if a bigger size would fix that for someone as large-chested as me.  

All-in-all it's a great bra with a price you can't beat ($11 and change).  I Highly recommend it to anyone with a little bit extra bounce :)

It's never JUST a little fat!

Having extra weight on is so much MORE than just a little fat. It's not ever Really feeling attractive and feeling like no one else will think you are either. It causes a lot of extra toll on your body. But most of all I think it's an overwhelming feeling of failure.

It really sucks to feel like you've just completely failed at life. One of the basic human functions is to take care of yourself, right? It's extremely humbling to reslize I can't even do that right.

I'm not morbidly obese, or even extremely unhealthy. But there are many areas where I can tell the weight has worn on me. For one, I have stretch marks that are there just from gaining weight. I can't stand for extremely long times cause my feet hurt. Last summer I worked weighting tables. I was definitely way more sore At the end of a shift than I was when I was young. On nights my hubby and I go dancing, I feel I can barely make it through a few songs. I'd love to be able to dance the entire night!

Perhaps the most telling way is in not being able to play with L the way I want to. I can't go chase her through the yard without getting too winded. I can't do the cartwheels with her or even sit in the floor beside the bath for very long. I really hate not being the fun-loving mom I always thought I would be.

I really hate not feeling like I'm good enough fro my husband. I know he's not really attracted to someone who is obese. I don't like feeling like I need to constantly be pulling my shirt down in the bedroom, or having to make sure there's not even a glimmer of light. I would LOVE to be able to go completely naked and feel good about myself.

Weekly Challenge: Grocery Overhaul!

Alright, here's the very first challenge! Each week I'll post new challenges to keep us all on the right track! I'll be posting these on Friday because of the grocery challenges.  I know most people do Grocery shopping on the weekend, so it just made sense :)

Challenge 1: Clear out the Crap

This one is perhaps the most important, and possibly hardest, part of any weight loss journey.  Get rid of everything in your pantry that is unhealthy.  No candy, ice cream, snack cakes, chips, fatty dips.  Nothing that will cause you to stumble!  Instead fill your pantry with fruits and Vegetables, low fat dips (I like to dip my veggies in low fat Ranch dressing), plain yogurt (to go on the fruit, nuts, etc.  There are healthier versions of nearly everything out on the market.  Instead of full fat chips, get baked chips, or better yet, organic, whole wheat pretzels! Switch out the fattening pre-made bean dip, for delicious hummus! 

Challenge 2: Make a Menu

This one is as important as clearing out the crap.  It will help your budget too!  Choosing a meal plan that works for you may seem like a daunting task, but it's key to loosing weight.  No matter if you choose low carb, low fat, counting your bites, or standing on your head for 3 hours a day to lose weight, not planning properly will sabotage your diet.  It doesn't have to be too in depth, either.  My menu plan looks like this (click to enlarge):

Challenge 3: Don't Buy White

Make all of your grains whole grains.  Exchange white rice for brown.  Get whole wheat bread and buy whole wheat pasta.  You'd be amazed at how much they have switched now days! At first, I was scared things would taste HORRIBLE if they were whole grain.  I was amazed that the whole wheat pastas didn't taste very differently, at all. I even think they are better! I absolutely LOVE brown rice, but hate white.  Some flavors and textures do take a little getting used to, but it's well worth the effort!

Challenge 4: Read the label

Read the labels on just about anything you buy.  Educate yourself about healthy amounts of things to consume.  (you can start here).  There are several things you need to try to avoid altogether.  Trans Fats, I'm not an expert so can't tell you why, but stay away! (I'm sure a simple google search will get you the answer ;)) High fructose corn syrup, this stuff is in everything you wouldn't think it would be in! It's just added, often completely unnecessary sugar.  It's processed and tends to indicate a lower quality product. Partially-hydrogenated oils, your recommended daily intake of these is 0.  So just stay away, far, far away.  

Challenge 5: Lean Protein

Choosing lean proteins will help you tremendously.  Consider replacing ground beef for ground venison, turkey or buffalo (yes, you can still buy buffalo).  Eat lots of fish.  Take the skin off of your chicken breast.  Go out on a limb and try some tofu.  Heck, eat beans and rice one day for dinner or for lunch.  Swap Greek yogurt for regular, it has 16g of protein! Nuts are also a great source of protein and they have heart-healthy fat!  I'm quite in love with blue diamond sea salt almonds :)

I know this is a lot for one week.  You can break it down into smaller tasks, but it really is best if you just do it all at once.  NOW is the time to get healthy.  Breaking it down will just prolong it, and in my experience, will make it harder for you to stay on the right track.  It will be harder if you have others in the house. They won't like the change, but it's great for EVERYONE.  We are going for a lifestyle change, not a diet.  Nothing makes me feel prouder than when L asks for a plate of veggies for lunch, or fruit salad for a snack. 

Just Do It

No this is not an endorsement for Nike! Just a little encouragement for you! It's something I've been telling myself over and over.  Like every overweight person, over the years I've given excuse after excuse to not workout or eat right.  Well, the excuses stop here! Now! I mean it! I'm not going to allow myself to give another excuse, and you shouldn't either!

No more excuse of no more time.  You can make time throughout the day to get a little in here or there.  You can fold clothes and do squats. You can do sit ups when watching TV.  Got a crying baby? No longer an excuse! Pick him up and run in place, or do jumping jacks with him on your hip (just switch sides half way through :))

Today time totally got away from me.  L has a cold and like any mommy I kept waking up to check on her.  Long story short, we didn't even get out of bed until 11:30 this morning.  Then I got caught up working on a new, much, much better design for the blog.  Next thing I knew, it was time to get up and get dressed to go out for moms night and I hadn't worked out, yet.  No longer making any excuses, when I got home I quickly got dressed and worked out.  I didn't care that it was 10:45 pm that I did it.  What counts is that I did it.  I got my workout in.  Now I don't have to feel guilty, and even better I burned off some of the extra calories I got from eating out!

Welcome!

Yay! My first post on this blog! This blog is all about my journey to lose weight the healthy way.  I don't want to start a diet, lose the weight quickly then gain it all back.  I want to start on a healthy lifestyle change.  

Each week I'll be posting recipes, healthy tips I've come across, and my daily workout and eating progress.  On occasion, I'll also post product reviews or lead you to other weight loss blogs.  You can check out the tabs across the top of the page to see the things I've already written about.

I know, I'm not super, or morbidly obese.  I'm, sadly, the average sized woman.  I wear a size 14 pants and L/XL shirt.  I'm not, yet, at a point where if I don't lose the weight, then I'll die.  I'm at the point that if I don't make a change now, I'll have serious repercussions.  

Thanks so much for joining me on my journey!