Tuesday Time Machine & Weigh In

As if my other post wasn't enough for ya. ;)

Here's a little trip in the time machine:

At my heaviest I was 277.6 after giving birth to Irish twins (13 months, 2 days apart) albeit I found out that number in 2011, so long after Baby Boy was born. When I began weight watchers in March of 2012 I showed up 260.0 on the scale. I'm proud to say as of today I'm down to 211.

The scale has been "stuck" these last few months and I've been bouncing in the same zone and it's really starting to wear on me. Although I can see physical change in my muscle appearance, I can feel change in the way my clothes are fitting, I'm still not seeing a ton of change in measurements either. So I'm sure you can see I'm frustrated by this.

But I'm still keeping on, keeping on. I obviously have to figure out what has caused this plateau and break through it. I don't know if stressing over it is complicating the issue or what but man this sucks!

Also, I've been tossing around changing the name of my blog. While I love "A New Me" I need to find something that will work so I can change the blog URL as well... I am no longer "Up The Creek" so.... suggestions? Let me have 'em. ;)

New Progess Pics

 

As I've said before, my before picture is not at my heaviest {277.6lbs}, but close. I have 4 or 5 of these types of progress pictures in my journey. I was tempted to put them all side by side so you could see me shrinking, but I think that may have been a few too many semi-nekid pics of me for one post. :P

Am I 100% happy with how my body looks today? No. Am I getting closer to my goals? Yes! My weight has been stuck for a month or more now, but.. I am losing some serious inches overall. I mean I've gone from a size 26W to a 16... I CANNOT complain about that.

I went through a rough patch not long ago and slipped away from working out, that put some major crimps in my plans. But the good news is, I'm not alone. Yes, this isn't the first time someone has gone through a slump. The most important thing is that I got back up and picked up where I left off. I can definitely tell the difference on days where I skip a workout, which still happens from time to time, but I try my best to not make it a habit. I've spent too much time creating a good habit of working out to just give up.

Without any more jibber jabber... Here I am in almost my birthday suit. O.o

I'm very please with the changes I've gone through thus far, still have a ways to go. :D

Here's a few recent IG pic for you too, so my butt isn't the last thing you see tonight. ;)

This was a great "recipe." So easy and so tasty!!! Smoked Paprika Chicken, Whole Wheat Orzo and Herbed Goat Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Nomnomnom!

Me & Baby Girl getting our flex on.

I love a nice long ride!

One Year & 65 Pounds Ago

This last year has contained a lot of ups and a lot more "downs." Over the course of 365 days I managed to loose 65 pounds. Well, I didn't lose them so much as got rid of them, because I have no inclination to find those pounds again.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, a smidgen of research and more hard work. I want to reflect on what has and hasn't worked for me.

What hasn't worked:

• Processed foods. 
• Anything that has a shelf life. 
• Chips, lunch meat, white breads and pastas. 
• Anything "creamed, creamy, smothered, glazed." 
• Pop, sugary drinks, crystal light... the list could go on and on and on.
• Anything that includes soy or soy bi-products in the ingredient list
• Sitting on my butt. Not moving enough. 
• Thinking that things will just "work themselves out."

What has worked:

• Fresh produce
• Fresh fruit
• Whole grains
• Water
• Clean eating - nothing processed, no GMO's, no GE's or anything that includes "artificial" in the ingredient list
• Weight Lifting and Cardio

And now I've run into a new issue:

I need to find a job now so I can afford clothing that fits. LOL. Yes, my black spandex work out clothes are beginning to hang off of me. I suppose it's one of the best problems a girl can have? Not to mention that my "new" shirts are looking like circus tents on me as well. :P

Keeping the Routine

It's sometimes difficult to keep with a routine. I get that. I've been through the slumps. But my mind has made so many changes over the past year that for whatever reason I am determined to make my goal this year.

I can't promise I can keep up with posting every day on the blog, after all I am a Mom/Wife first, athlete second and blogger last. So I hope you'll forgive me as I stumble my way through this. :)

For now to help keep myself in order I've downloaded the JEFit app. I love it so far. It's helped me with my workouts this last week. I plug in the workout as planned by my friend and then it basically walks me through each set and shows me how to do the workouts if I'm not familiar with them. I can't say enough great things about it.

And... here's more of my routine for the week...

January 5th - Legs & Biceps

January 6th - Cardio 5000m on the Erg

I've become a pro at pounding back no less than a gallon of water a day. :)

January 7th - Back/Shoulders, Calves & Core

I've taken up the art of food prep. Makes snacking and meal time a lot easier. Don't get me wrong I still cook dinner often, but I make enough to have a few extras for a couple of days ahead. Love it!

January 8th - Rest

Yesterday was supposed to be cardio day. Things did not go as planned. It was a crappy day from the minute I woke up. My daughter was in my room umpteen times through out the night and I ended up getting up around 6am for the day which does not make me happy on weigh in day. It seemed like nothing could go my way. So I ended my day with a nice mug of calm. I really enjoy this tea and it truly does help relax me and put me to bed a lot easier.

And now, to help keep my honest I will *try* to take a pic of EVERYTHING I eat (the good, the bad and the ugly) and post compilation pics like these. Again, don't hold me to it every day but we will see how this goes. LOL.

1. Breakfast - Skinny Potato Cakes with Black Beans & Rotel and Strawberries {4PP}
2. 3.16 mile run in 43 minutes, and Part II of my Virtual Half Marathon for this month.
3. Post Workout Snack - Protein Shake, Made with Milk {4PP}
4. Lunch - Super Salad (Romaine, Spinach, Green Onion, Cherry Tomatoes) with Grilled Chicken and 2 Cuties {4PP}
5. My favorite "dressing" these days. Straight up Balsamic.
6. Snack - 1c Raw Broccoli & 1c Raw Cauliflower with French Onion Laughing Cow {2PP}
7. Snack - Special K Protein Meal Bar. This is the last one I had and will not be purchasing more. I'm trying to get away from so much processed food. {5PP}
8. Dinner - Spicy Black Bean Turkey Burger, Broiled Spicy Sweet Potato and Brown Rice {8PP}
9. Snack - Chocolate PB Sludge Don't worry, it's a LOT of protein to help get me through the night.{5PP}
10. Night Cap - A relaxing cup of Yogi Bedtime tea. {0PP}

Total Points consumed: 32PP Points Remaining: 2PP Activity Points Earned: 9PP

And now I bid you goodnight.

Weigh In Day

 

Weigh in Day!!!!

12.24 = 216.4

01.08 = 219.6

+3.2 pounds

Total Loss to Date: 58.0 pounds

Still no laptop... so I'm a day behind. ;)

Today's first-thing-wake-up-naked weight:

So it may appear that I've taken a step back, but not really. In reality I am so flapping sore it's not even funny. There are tons of tiny micro tears in my muscles and this is just my body's way of trying to repair them. I've missed lifting weights and I'm glad I chose to start the year off on the right foot.

My leader weighed me in, looked at me and said "you don't seem surprised?!" I responded "Nope, I started weight training this week and have been barely able to move afterwards. LOL." She said well, that's too be expected then, but stick with it and the scale will move back in the right direction. And I agree, so it's nothing to get upset over.

In fact, here was today's weigh in:

As you can see my body is just trying to process all of the madness I've put it through the last week. I'm feeling stronger already. I have a lot more pictures to share but I'm being kicked off the computer so the hubs can sleep. ;) I'm going to attempt to post them from my phone, we shall see if I can handle that. LOL.

For now I'll leave you with a quick progress pic.

December 2010 vs. January 2013

While they are mainly face comparisons, it's still amazing to me the transformation that has taken place. And look... my dimples are finding their way back onto my face. :P

*Oops! Thanks to Ashley for pointing out my date error on the progress pic. That was 2010 not 2012. ;)

2012 Review & 2013 Goals

I am not a fan of resolutions. Not because I can't keep them, but I've just never been one to make resolutions. I find them pointless. I will however be outlining some goals for the new year as well as looking back on some accomplishments from 2012.

Let's start with the picture above. How stinking true is that? I cannot wait to begin my book.

To start my new year off right I've decided I'm going to attempt Gracious Pantry's Clean Eater's No Sugar Challenge. This means no foods that have added sugar of any kind, including added natural or artificial sweeteners  I'm only a few hours into my first day and I cannot believe how many things have sugar added into them. I have been avoiding processed food for quite some time, as best I can, but even the things I have chose to consume have things in them I wasn't aware of. It's amazing how many "health" foods, or at least better for you foods, still have sugar added into them. :P

This is going to be a difficult challenge for me I can already tell, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I intend to start a draft page here on the blog to log how each day goes. I may or may not write every day, but I plan to chronicle this journey over the next 30 days. I'm a chocoholic, and sweet lover so I know I will struggle but I'm truly hoping to succeed and finally get past the impulses where I have to shove candy and sweets in my pie hole when I'm not truly craving them.

Reason number two this will be a struggle? Today we are celebrating baby girls' birthday... with cake and frozen yogurt. :P So that is why I will try to avoid the sugars today, but I am going to indulge in a small piece of cake a single portion of frozen yogurt this evening. But beginning tomorrow I will be 100% on the challenge. :)

The challenge length is determined by the person partaking, but it is suggested that you complete a two week minimum. I however am going to try for 30 days. Wish me luck.

I've also decided that I will start lifting. I'm not sure where to start and I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish this, but it WILL happen. We have some weights here at home so I will start there. I really want to get into lifting in addition to my cardio. So for now I will keep researching and make it work as I go. I cannot afford a gym membership, so I will do what I have to, to get it done at home.

Looking back over the last year I've accomplished more than I dreamed possible. After so many failures this was my year to get it right. I started Weight Watchers on March 27th. Nine months later I have managed to lose 62 pounds with less than 40 pounds to lose to see my initial goal. I am amazed at my progress. I've seen ups and downs with the program but I've stuck with it. This is HUGE for me as I've never made it past a week with anything else I've tried.

I've also completed two races this past year. My first 5K and 10K. Never in my wildest thoughts did I think I'd run as an adult in timed races. That's just crazy talk when you're over 200 pounds. But I did it. I've managed to push my body to do something I used to love doing as a teenager. It is such a great feeling of accomplishment and I look forward to my 2013 race season.

I'm hoping in the next three months to get close to my goal with the No Sugar Challenge and weight lifting. Only time will tell. :)

I don't want it to seem like this has been a smooth ride because it has been anything but. I've doubted myself, struggled with fatty foods, injury and overkill of sweets from time to time. But the difference for me this year has been the amount of support within my WW group. I have been able to go to my meetings, pick myself up and jump back on the horse regardless of "what happened".  Thank you to everyone who has popped by from time to time and left words of encouragement through out this journey. My journey is far from over and I appreciate everything YOU have done to help me. :)

Here's to 2013! I hope you'll stick around.

What Does 50 Pounds Feel Like?

{Warning: NSFW}

So you're probably wondering why this post wouldn't be safe for work. I'll forewarn you...I will be showing you some pics of me in my bra & undies.  O___o

But first, let's ponder a few things, shall we? You constantly see me moan & groan about not loosing a pound. I'll reference I "only" lost x.x lbs. But in reality, what is ONE POUND???

THAT is one pound of body fat... *BLINK* *BLINK* Wow. Just let that sink in. That is what one of those pesky pounds look like. That's what one of those pounds look like on my body?

So, if that's what ONE pound of body fat looks like, what does FIVE pounds look like?

Um, again, WOW. That's rather disturbing. Seriously. So you wanna see what one versus five looks like?

Ewwww. Now that we've let that sink in... I have lost FIFTY of those pesky, nasty looking pounds of fat.

Hmmm... 50 Pounds? What exactly looks like fifty pounds? Anyone? Yes, you there in the back...

Ah yes, the 50 pound dumbbell.

You sir?

A sack of potatoes? Clever.

And you Ma'am?

Holy Cow! A 50 pound bale of hay? I used to sling those as a teenager on our farm.

Those are some really great suggestions you guys! Thanks for participating. Now, funny thing is? I've lost MORE WEIGHT than the jogging stroller I use to push the kids around our neighborhood!!!

So what is next for me? Well I'm still a far cry from my goal. But I'm slowly moving there. So the next time you hear me complain about "only losing a pound" please feel free to refer me to my own post. ;)

As for those nekid pictures I promised you above... I am ever so grateful I stopped to take pictures of myself so that I can see my progress. Unfortunately I do not have pictures of myself at 277.6 as the first set I was brave enough to take was at 268.6. So the pictures don't quite reflect the entire 50 pounds, but it's pretty darn close. ;)

And I've been told I'm a brave soul for posting these on the internet. I don't see myself as being brave, I see myself as a woman who was determined to change her life one step at a time and hopefully in the process I will help someone else in their journey. Without photographs of yourself, you will never know just how far you've come. So if you haven't taken true "before photographs" of yourself, I encourage you to do so. You don't have to share them on the internet as I'm doing, but at least do it for yourself. You will thank me later. ;o)

So without further mumbo jumbo {don't say I didn't warn you} here I am in all my glory...

Next stop...

So what does 50 pounds feel like? After comparing these pictures...it feels amazing. To know what my body is capable of and to know that I CAN DO THIS!!!! There is no feeling in the world like accomplishment!