Training in Session!

I have to say that there is such a difference from working out by myself as compared to working with a trainer. For a long time I have felt that I was capable of doing most of the work on my own, but in the past few weeks have felt that I was lacking in ways to challenge my body in ways I had not before. With the help of an amazing friend I was able to workout with a trainer today and the workout was brutal and challenging. With a mix between a cross-fit circuit and some great weight lifting sets I had 2 hours of serious calorie burning and muscle building.

My hope for the next 3 weeks is to be able to workout with this trainer 1-2 times a week and especially the evening before or day of my final weigh-in of the Biggest Loser contest! The workout was challenging, but at the same time I was capable. I felt amazing being told by a professional that I’m in great shape and needed to be pushed even more then this. I have an ability to be a great athlete for myself, and it feels amazing to know that I am so close to such a huge goal. My muscles are sore and tight tonight, but nothing a good stretch and some ice won’t fix. I have no problem pushing myself to this level of intensity, and am glad to have such an amazing opportunity to do so.

Goal for the week: I’m going to put this out here for all of you to know – 10 pound weight loss this week! I’m going for a huge number, and even if it’s an 8 or a 6, I know that if I push for that 10 I will succeed in any way possible. Bring on the pain!

Week 6 Weigh-in

Weight: 218
Weight Lose = - 5 pounds
Total weight loss = 27.5 pounds

Bust: 43.5” – 43.5”
Chest: 39” – 39”
Waist: 39” – 38”
Hips: 47” – 47”
Total inches lost = 1” inch

I hit another huge jump this week with 5 pounds, and I’m feeling strong and dedicated to my journey now. I have so much support flowing in at me that I am overwhelmed with appreciation and love for everyone. God has sent me some amazing people into this journey to lift me up and bring me to the end of this amazing journey I have been on. I am so blessed and thankful, and will continue on strong through this because of Him and these amazing friends!

What are we craving?

I have so many topics I want to share with you this week, so my first one will begin with cravings and avoiding temptations. This is one of my major obstacles in my lifestyle. The amount of time I spend at home gives way to many opportunities to snack or just plain eat all day long. I grocery shop a lot because of couponing, and that lends to a lot of samples in the stores and taste testing new items I bring home. I avoid most of the time very well, and am very honest with myself when I do not avoid those cravings. But, what am I really craving? Why do I feel the need to eat all the time? Where do those urges come from? Have you asked yourself these questions before?

I sat down recently and began to read some passages in my bible about such topics, and at the same time I gave myself time to really analyze my hunger cues and needs before I put food into my mouth. Even though foods can be eaten and we need food to sustain our life, many of those foods we eat and crave are no good for us. Even when we have them in moderation in can trigger us to crave more of these foods, and then get set back into those old habits. I’ve found this to happen to me very easily still. I have a hard time moderating myself with junk-like foods and end up eating more then I should have. This doesn’t mean I won’t ever be able to indulge in something some day, but I can’t seem to manage it just yet. I have my slips still, and the progress I have made is allowing me to make the mistake and move past it. It’s a hard see mistakes, but it’s also much easier lately to allow them to happen and not beat myself up about it.

Sometimes my cues are real hunger, but a lot of the times I am in the middle of the day and just want something more to eat. I’m sometimes bored, lonely, or anxious about something. My anxiety works in different ways, like sometimes I just want to get to the gym and not do anything else, but I have a list of things to get done before I can. Or, I am unable to do something on that list, so eating seems like a viable alternative. These are all difficult attitudes to change in myself, and I realized that the dedication of avoiding those triggers and temptations can make me stronger and once I conquer them I can be free of the negative actions I put myself through. But, I also believe that God is the only one who will completely free me of those attitudes, and left to myself I will not conquer them.

So, what are you really craving when you reach for the chocolate, the ice cream, the chips, or go through the drive-threw? Are you really treating yourself right with those choices? Are you being a responsible person for yourself and those who care about you? Think it over before reaching for it, and at the same time don’t beat yourself up over the poor choices!

Weigh-In (Finally)

Weight: 223
Weight Lose = 5 pounds
Total weight loss = 22.5 pounds

Bust: 43.5” – 43.5”
Chest: 39” – 39”
Waist: 39.5” – 39”
Hips: 48.5” – 47”
Total inches lost = 2” inches

I have so much to share that I can’t possibly bring it all into one complete thought at the time of night and in such a hustle to get this post shared with everyone. So, I’m excited for the 5, not as much as I could be for 6.5, but it’s a great loss and it’s going well! I have lots to share, and hopefully will get some great tips and stories posted for you all to read soon.

I conquered the Jacob’s Ladder this past week, and this is the picture I have to share today!

The Biggest Loser Jacobs Ladder Challenge

This is motivation to get my butt in hear - if they can do it, so can I!

Fear of the machine

This week I've been eying the dreaded Jacobs ladder, and realizing that I need to get on there and conquer my fear of the machine. Here's a post over a year ago about using the Jacobs Ladder for the first time - Click here (Side note: look at how much my body has changed since then! So exciting!)

I find that when I add a new machine/exercise to my routine I get more excited about it and get more results from my hard work. So, here's to trying new things and working hard and having dedication to a challenge!

Revised Workout Schedule

I’ve got an altered schedule going on, so I’d thought I’d share with you all what’s been going on at the gym. And, if anyone wants to join me I’m more then open to have someone keeping me accountable! My hours in the gym sometimes get less because of transition times and checking in with other people around the gym. It's safe to say, by adding in the extra 30 minutes on some days I'm actually getting 4 hours of real exercise.

Sunday:
7:00-8:00 am: Gym workout/Treadmill
9:00-1:00 pm: Church
2:00-4:00 pm: Grocery Shopping/Workout: Circuits
6:00-8:00: Church Units bible study

Total workout time = 3

Monday:
5:30 -7:30: Wake-up/Coupons & House Work
8:00- 11:00: Julia up - Preschool & 9:30 - 10:30 Gym Workout
11:30-12:15: Gym – Calisthenics
5:30-8:30pm: Biggest Loser Class; Pump & Zumba, stretching & Sit-ups

Total number of hours = 4.5 hours

Tuesday:
5:30 -7:30: Wake-up/Coupons & House Work
9:30 - 11:30: 30 min Treadmill & Body Pump
5:30 – 8:00: Biggest Loser Class/Stretch & sit-ups/Body Combat

Total number of hours = 4.5

Wednesday:
5:30 -7:30: Wake-up/Coupons & House Work
8:00- 11:00: Julia up - Preschool & Housework
1:20: Pick-up Ashleigh to babysit Julia!
2:00- 3:30: Gym: Treadmill & Circuit
5:30 -8:30pm: Biggest Loser Class/Pump/Zumba/Stretching & Calisthenics

Total number of hours = 4.5 hours

Thursday: Last Chance workout!
5:30 -7:30: Wake-up/Coupons & House Work
10:30-11:30: Story Time @ Library
11:30-12:30: gym/Treadmill
5:30 - 8:30: Biggest Loser Class/Spinning Class/Yoga and/or ½ Combat &Treadmill

Total number of hours = 4

Friday: Jon’s day off!
8:00-11:00 am: Gym workout/Treadmill 9:00 - Yoga Class
11:00- Weigh-in!
4:00-6:00pm: Family Gym time/Workout OR Date night!

Total number of hours = 3-5

Saturday:
REST DAY – work in daycare in the morning & catch up on any housework!

Week 4 Weigh in

Week 4:
Weight: 228
Weight Lose = 4 pounds
Total weight loss = 17.5 pounds

Bust: 44.75” – 43.5”
Chest: 39” – 39”
Waist: 41.5” – 39.5”
Hips: 49” – 48.5”
Total inches lost = 2.25” inches

It’s amazing how much better I feel about a 4 then I did about a 2 this week. I’m excited for next week, and know that I will have to keep charging forward to keep up my momentum. From a percentage stand point; there is one woman ahead of me in weight loss. She started out lower then me, and has lost more then me. I’m determined to win, so my goals will be stronger and stricter this coming week. I’m going to put it out there for all of you to know – I’m shooting for 6.5 pounds a week from this point forward. These past two weeks have made for some catch up!

For those who missed it, I posted a challenge on facebook to get me on the treadmill and be accountable. I would go 1 minute for every like I had on that post. I got up to 40 likes, and then I doubled it. This was an intense workout – where my hamstrings were burning and adding in 1 minute sprints added to the challenge. I will do this again this week, giving you all a longer time frame to get the time up on my workout.

I’ve really appreciated all the support everyone has given me over the past weeks, and continue to need it and thrive from it. You all are my cheerleaders, and keep me so accountable for what I am doing. If anyone wants to workout with me, challenge me, or just help me in anyway let me know!

Hitting the wall and making it through

Why is it on our weight loss journey we have to experience such a difficult time with so many emotions? I watch it every season on The Biggest Loser, where contestants hit a wall and then suddenly break down with emotional pain and make a huge break through, but I suppose I thought I’d already done that. So, when that wall hit, and then the pain, and now the break through came I was not in any way ready for the turmoil it would bring on.

My wall came on when I had only a -2 for last week’s weigh in, and I just couldn’t get past the disappointment. Then, I began to make poor food choices, not completely abandoning my diet, but just didn’t think clearly about what I was eating entirely. Two days like this, and then birthday cake hit me hard! Yes, birthday cake was my ending point in poor choices. I completely fell to the temptation of frosting and fluffy goodness. Doubt and guilt began to creep in to my thoughts, taking over my ability to think clearly, communicate, and even process my feelings. The lack of self-control I had made me feel incapable of success, that I could not accomplish my goals anymore. I then, for the first time, had negative reactions and attitudes while in a church bible study, and knew that I was overcome with evil trying to break me down! I finally had to cry really hard, realize what was going on with me and after about a day of facing the emotions head on I got myself back into the gym and began to work off the heavy burden I had felt for 4 days (and the extra calories).

So, why did the wall come up in the first place? It’s hard to explain when we will hit a wall of frustration and lack of focus, but it will always come on. I think for me, the dedication of entire focus on weight loss and exercise is something I have never fully done. My focus has always been split on other tasks and responsibilities in life. That’s not saying I am 100%, like they are on The Biggest Loser ranch, but my family has lost time with me and many of my mom/wife daily tasks have taken a back burner to that of exercise, calorie counting, and a mind/body overhaul! I think this is what brought on my wall of emotions. That green monster in my head that has always kept me overweight and filled with depression and lack of energy reared it’s ugly head to tell me it wasn’t going away so easily, and I had to find a way to kick it’s butt back against the wall and say “No, I am going to WIN!” Today and every day is a struggle. I struggle with temptation of foods, temptation of doing something other then making it the gym, and temptation of listening to those negative thoughts that find away around my will power. I will conquer my temptations! I will win this battle! I will lose more weight, and will continue to be a healthy, productive person always!


To keep me focused I’m signed up for the Shamrock Run in Portland on March 18 for a 5K run. Not only is this motivating, but I have people running with me – to encourage me and keep me going through the race! Right now, I am running/walking a 5K in about 50 minutes, and am working on getting my time down to 40 minutes, and aiming to make my time in the race 35 minutes! That’s about an 11 minute mile! So, let’s get moving and run!

Week 3 - Weigh-In

Week 3:
Weight: 232
Weight Lose = 2 pounds
Total weight loss = 13.5 pounds

Bust: 45” – 44.75”
Chest: 41” – 39”
Waist: 43” – 41.5”
Hips: 49” – 49”
Total inches lost = 3.75” inches

Wow, what a hard week I’ve had! Only loosing 2 pounds really put me down today, but as I’ve been reminded I have to celebrate the small victories and the large ones. So, the amazing inch and half lose on my waist and 2 pounds are being celebrated, but will be a reminder for how much harder I need to push myself. With only losing 13.5 pounds in the first 3 weeks I did not win the Subway Challenge by losing the highest percentage of weight lose, and came in about 4th place (2 males and 1 female ahead of me). I’ve had a difficult time with snacking this week, always choosing well but going off meal plan occasionally. I also have not purchased any whey protein yet, so my breakfasts were always changing. Added to all this I had some stressful days, missed workouts, and am still battling with a bad cough. The major part of all this though – I’m at my lowest weight yet in this journey!