March Madness

We officially broke the news about our pregnancy on Friday. So, now I can keep my blog up to date like I was doing before. We have received a lot of support and everyone seems very excited for us. That in itself is very reassuring, because in the past we have received negativity from some people. All I know is that these are our babies, they are blessings. We believe God picked us to be their parents for some special reason. Yes, there have been struggles, but we are in a better place than what we have ever been in now. We know what we're doing! If anyone can do this....WE CAN! We love our babies more than anything, and do not take for granted how very blessed we are.

Now on to what my blogs are actually about...lol. So, I titled this one March Madness, because that is what it has been. I have been so mad at myself because I have not gotten my butt on that treadmill not once this month! This pregnancy fatigue has really kicked my butt, not to mention the insomnia on top of that. I know I am burning calories doing stuff around the house, taking the kids to the park...ect. But, I want to do better than that. This week I will be in my 12th week of pregnancy...closing in on the 2nd trimester. I am praying that with it comes a new wind of energy. I feel that I have still been eating pretty well. I am craving the things that are good for my body. So, I do have that working for me.

I have not gained any more weight, but I have not lost either. I have still been weighing myself every week, just to see how things are going.

Beautiful Spring is here and I am looking forward to getting out and about more, and getting exercise along with the fresh air. I am particularly looking forward to summer... the swimming pool should open in May. That will be wonderful exercise, and will get me out of the house.

So, for now, until then, I am just focusing on getting my much needed energy back. There is so much to do around here, before my kids come home for summer. I want to make this summer as easy as possible for me and them. I don't want to spend days on end cleaning, so we will all work together and get things done. This way we have loads of time to be an active family. I want to go to the park, go on walks, go to the pool together...just be active. What could be better...nothing! So I have got to turn this March Madness into April Activeness...lol!

Happy Spring Everyone!

Surprise, Surprise

Well here we are already into the third month of this new year. Time is flying by so fast. If you read my last two posts you will know that February, for me, was rough. I struggled a lot, even gained three pounds back of what I had lost. I have a feeling I am gonna get my groove back in March. I am defintely gonna have to change things up though!

See we recently found out why I had such a crappy time last month. Much to our surprise, we are expecting baby #6. Yes, I am serious! We were in complete shock because I have been on birth control since our last baby was born three years ago. This explains my exhaustion and nausea and being much more hungry than usual. I am still trying to wrap my head around all of this...lol. This has to be Gods plan, because it definitely wasn't in ours!

I am so glad I started this journey before we found out we were pregnant. I think this is going to set me up for a healthy pregnancy, and hopefully a much smoother birth than the ones in the past. I am gonna continue on my journey, but like I said, there will be some things I have to change. I will continue to eat healthy and do my treadmill. Jillian's 30 Day Shred, however, will have to wait til after baby! I would like to start doing some prenatal pilates. I am also gonna continue with my light strength training.

With most of my pregnancies I have lost weight, especially in my last one. I am hoping for the same thing this time. Since I am a big woman, it doesn't hurt for me to lose some weight while I'm pregnant. I am hoping if I continue this healthy lifestyle throughout my pregnancy, it will be even easier once I have the baby. I do realize that my goal of getting under 200 pounds by my 30th birthday may not be in the cards right now. I have lost 2 of those 3 pounds I had gained back. So, I still have 47 pounds to go, to get under 200. That's a lot of weight to lose being pregnant. My focus isn't to purposely lose weight while I am carrying this baby. My plan is just to keep living this healthy lifestyle and if I lose....I lose! I just want to be as healthy as possible for myself and this baby, extra weight loss will just be an added bonus!!

A Fresh Start

I am just gonna go ahead and put it out in the open and be honest. I had a horrible week last week! There were only a handful of good food choices that I made, and I did not exercise at all last week. Not one single day! I was so disappointed in myself. I did do a ton of walking with us being gone so much, but it wasn't my regular workout routine.

I have come to realize that I am not very good at being outside of my normal everday routine. That is what happened this week. We would be gone an entire day, so we either ate out or I would not eat at all until dinner. Neither one of those are good decisions. I have also realized that I beat myself up...A LOT! I did not come into this thinking it would be easy, or that I would be perfect at it. This journey has been far from that. But, I guess I expected perfect and swift results. This journey does not include that either.

I have to learn that this journey is the same as my walk with God. I am only human. There will be good days, and there will be plenty of bad. Things will not happen in my timing, but I have to keep going in the right direction to get the results I want. Just as Gods Grace is new every morning, so is my chance to start this journey anew, with better choices!

I proclaim a fresh start today!

I got on the scale this morning to see what the damage was. It was not pretty! From what the scale says, I have gained back 3 pounds. It was very upsetting to see that, but I know I have the power to change it. The good news...I bought a new pair of jeans in one size smaller this week. So, those three pounds must not have affected my body that much. I could have possibly lost inches from all of the walking I did!

Yes, I steered off of the beaten path for a bit, but now I am back on my way to Wonderland!

At a Stand Still

I feel like such a slacker! The past week and a half has been very chaotic. Everyone was sick last week, Joshua multiple times. This week has just been go, go, go. With being gone so much, we have had to eat out, which means not as many healthy choices as when I'm at home. I have been super stressed with the kids. I am at a complete stand still with my weight loss. I was supposed to weigh in today, but think I will just wait to do it next week. I haven't exercised in 5 days, so I don't think the number is gonna be good. I have done a lot of walking since we have been out and about all week, but not my regular routine workouts.

We bought a treadmill last night, which I was very excited about. I thought, this is really gonna help me kick things back into gear. I get on it today, and I really don't like it. I don't feel comfortable walking more than a 2 on it. The belt jerks and slides around. I was so upset, considering how much money we had to pay for it. I will see what Adam thinks about it, and we will make a decision on what to do. I was so looking forward to having a treadmill in our home. I am so limited in my time without it. I can only go on Adam's lunchbreak, which is 30 minutes. I do get a good walk in that 30 minutes, but having one in my home will allow me to do it whenever I want, however long I want, and however many times I want.

I am definitely not giving up. Just gotta keep pushing through. I really hope the last two weeks of this month are better than the first two!

Progressing Everyday!

Thought I would take a minute and write a bit. Wanted to give everyone an update on how it's going. So far, so good! I ran into another roadblock this past week...a nasty stomach virus. It kept me from working out for two days, and from doing the 30 Day Shred for 3 days straight. I was really bummed, and tried to beat myself up about it. But, I knew that my body needed rest. If I didn't take that time to get better, I may have been much worse off this week.

I started the 30 Day Shred last Wedensday. You do a 20 minute workout everyday, for 30 days. Jillian Michaels claims you can lose 20 pounds in one month with this video. That's not really got me to buy the video, it was the amazing results I have seen from my friends on myfitnesspal. Plus it only being a 20 minutes workout is a big bonus..lol! My goal for the month is to lose 10 pounds, so as long as I reach that I will be happy. It is a great workout. I break a good sweat and on occasion want to cry...lol! I think my results will be great.

I had another non scale victory this week. I was able to walk a whole 2 miles on the treadmill today. I am so proud that each week I am able to push myself further, and harder. They aren't just words I speak and don't stick to. I have done really well at putting my plan into action thus far. I have lost a total of 10 pounds so far, and I'm feeling good. I really look forward to working out everyday. It brings me joy, and it's hilarious, because I never thought exercising would make me feel "JOY"! I feel so sluggish, not to mention lazy if I take a day off. So, I try to workout every single day, even if all I do is get on the treadmill. On grocery shopping days, I usually don't have time to do that, so I speed walk in the store, and make sure I do some vigorous cleaning to burn off some of those calories.

My progress so far since Jan. 1st, 2012:

Starting Weight: 256.4
Current Weight: 246.6

Starting Inches: (I didn't measure til 2 weeks into it)

Waist: 44.5
Hips: 51.5
Arms: 18
Thighs: 27.5
Calves: 18

Current Inches: (Measured Today)

Waist: 40 (4.5 inches lost)
Hips: 49 (2.5 inches lost)
Arms: 18 (Boo...but I'm doing strength training now!)
Thighs: 25.5 (2 inches lost)
Calves: 16 (2 inches lost)

New Goal for February

We are about to enter the month of February. This year is already flying by. I can't believe I have already been on this journey for a month now! I am really looking forward to this next month. I can't wait to see how I change, and how much further I can push myself. It's just another step closer to my Wonderland. I reached my January goal, so now I have to set up a hair appointment. Very excited about that.

I am gonna kick it up a little for February and add some weight training to my normal routine. I want to see these flabby arms of mine start to whittle away. Toning is going to be a big thing for me too. I would love some toning advice if anyone has anything. After 5 children and this much weight loss, I have got to tone this mess up...lol!

Now to set my goals for February. I decided to set my weight loss goal to 10 pounds for this month. I entered a challenge on myfitnesspal, and that is what we are all trying to lose. So, I'm gonna go for it. A double digit number, it's a little scary. I can't let it intimidate me though. Let's do this people!!

Goal Start Date:  February 1st, 2012
Goal End Date:  February 29th, 2012
Goal Weight Loss:  10 Pounds
Reward: Pedicure

Since I can't really tell much of a difference in the way I look, I'm gonna hold off on pics until this next month. We'll see what happens. Wish me luck!

Scale Time

My weigh in last week went rather well, with a 2.2 pound weight loss. That left me with only 1.6 pounds left to lose to reach my monthly goal. I felt like I could definitely do this. However, I did not get my hopes up for the scale because of what happened the week before. I figured I would just be surprised! :) I jogged a little over 5 miles this past week. I felt like I did really good. The only thing I did not get to do was my Biggest Loser workout, and I was praying that didn't set me back. I anxiously climbed up on the scale this morning, and it read....248.0. WOO-HOO!!! I lost 2 pounds this week. That brings my total weight loss for the month of January to 8.4 pounds. I am very proud of myself!

I am officially under 250 pounds. I don't remember the last time I was under that weight. It feels amazing!!! I can't wait to start really noticing a difference in the way my body looks. I can tell small things are starting to change, but nothing too noticeable yet. I do notice a huge change in the way I feel though. I have more energy, way more energy. Each week it seems I am able to push myself further and faster. This past week I was able to jog at a 5.0mph on the treadmill. Granted I could not do it for long periods of time, but I did it. That was a huge success for me. Can't wait to see what my body can do in this next week. I am super stoked. Stay tuned folks!!

Weighing In

My last weigh in was this past Monday 01/23. I had actually cheated twice during the week and got on the scale. It had only moved .2 of a pound, so come my actual weigh-in day I was not very enthusiastic at all. I worked very hard last week. Yesterday was my first rest day in 8 whole days. I felt very proud of myself. My Husband got on the scale first, and had lost 4 pounds. I was happy for him, and irritated all at the same time. He just started working out last week and had already lost more weight than me. It is very frustrating how fast men lose weight over women, and just not fair!

As I go get the scale out of the closet, I'm griping saying it's not gonna make a difference because the scale isn't gonna say something different from two days ago. I set it down, and step up. The scale reads.....250.0. I lost 2.2 pounds. I felt so excited, and stupid at the same time for complaining so much...lol! FINALLY!! I just wanted to sing. That's a total of 6.4 pounds for the month of January so far. I have only 1.6 pounds to go to reach my February 12th goal of 8 pounds. I may even exceed it, which would be awesome.

Another accomplishment is the inches I have lost. I wish I had been able to measure at the very beginning, but didn't have a tape measure. I measured myself for the first time last week. In a week's time, I have lost 1.5 inches in my waist and hips, and two inches off of my legs. I can tell a slight difference in the way I look, but not enough to be amazed. Adam says he can really tell though.

I am being able to push myself further and longer in my workouts, and that makes me feel amazing. So, I'm just gonna keep going, enjoy my skinny legs, and watch for the rest of me to catch up!! So far I have had a few bumps and grumps along my way, but this Road to Wonderland is looking more beautiful everyday!

Roadblocks

ROADBLOCK: 1.)A barricade or obstruction across a road set up to prevent the escape or passage, 2.)Something, such as a situation or condition, that prevents further progress toward an accomplishment.


I have recently come across a roadblock in my journey. I am pretty sure I have shin splints, which are very painful. It can occur when one goes from a non-active lifestyle to being active. It is almost as if your muscles go into shock, they tear and swell. A lot of athletes get them also, even though they are very active. It is preventing me from performing exactly how I want to. I was very disgusted yesterday, when I could only do 10 minutes on the treadmill. I finally just had to stop and come home, I was in so much pain. It never occurred to me, to just stop and assess the situation, this roadblock in my path. See the great thing about Roadblocks is, there is always a way around them, or sometimes to even remove them completely.

As I walked to the gym today, I was already nervous thinking that I might fail at my workout again! When I got on the treadmill, I decided to start slow and slowly push myself. This way I could see what triggered the pain the most. The faster I went, the more my legs began to throb. The incline was excruciating! I decided to take the incline to 0, and found a comfy pace at 3.0mph. It wasn't the ideal speed I wanted to go, but it is what I had to do to get around that roadblock! I was even able to go a little bit longer than normal at that speed to make up for some calories and mileage. I came home with the satisfaction of knowing that even though I had to do things differently, I was able to finish.

My whole point in this is to tell you not to give up! We all will encounter a roadblock or two, at one time or another. We will all struggle with different things. Don't give up if something not so ideal comes your way or falls in your path. Take a step back, look and reassess your situation. With patience you will surely find your way out!!

Success....What does it mean?

SUCCESS.....I have thought a lot about this word today. What does it mean to me. I have been on my journey for a very short time (just 2.5 weeks), and the meaning of this word has already changed for me. When I started my journey, success meant weight loss...seeing those numbers drop on the scale. That, of course, is my ultimate goal. That, however, will not be a complete success until I reach the end result, and keep it off! Now, it's so much more than the numbers on the scale!! Take today for example. I got on the treadmill, and decided I needed to push myself a little harder. I jogged a third of my time at 4mph. While this for some is probably a very small feat, for me it's big. I have never in my life been able to jog on a treadmill for the time that I did. That to me, was a huge success. I realize that I am a lot more successful at this thing than I thought I was! I have managed every single day to better the way I eat. I have kept track of my calories and stayed under my goal. I have been working out 3 days a week, and decided to take it up to 5. I am pushing myself to reach the goals that I want to attain. I am SUCCESSFUL!!

Weighing In

So I have waited all week in anticipation for this day! I have eaten healthy. There were probably a couple of meals I could have done better with. I did stay under my calorie goal for every day though. I worked out three straight days for the week, getting in over 3 miles walked. I felt really good. I felt I would have a decent number. I awoke excited and scared all at the same time this morning. My eyes were still blurry as I stepped on the scale. Numbers starting turning....253.6. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing it right. I got off of the scale and got back on it, same number. I gained one pound.....O*N*E P*O*U*N*D!!! What the crap? was my first thought. Then I felt I just wanted to cry. How could that be? I worked so very hard. To go from being a person who hardly ate anything throughout the day, not making good food choices, and not exercising....to a person who watches what they are eating and making healthy choices and being active. WHY? I know it doesn't happen overnight, but I thought I would have something to show for all of the hard work I've done.

I put the scale away. I went to a meeting at work. When I got back home....still wallowing in self pity...I got back on the scale. I figured since I hadn't eaten yet, and got moving a little maybe it would show something different. Numbers turning once again....252.8. That's pretty much the same that I weighed last week, so still no difference. I have received all kinds of support and encouraging words and made a decision for myself.

I could do one of two things....1. Continue to wallow in my self pity and give up, or 2. Let this fury motivate me to push harder and do even better. I choose option 2! I realize that even though I didn't lose a pound, I have gained so much these past two weeks. I do have several things to show for all of my hard work. Stomach issues that I've had for 2 years are going away, I have so much more energy....I feel good about myself and what I am doing!! Those are things to be proud of and that is why I will continue on My Road to Wonderland!!

NO Excuses!!

I don't sleep very well at night. I take melatonin to help me sleep...I forgot to take it last night! I didn't think about it until it was too late to take it. I tossed and turned all night, my mind going one million miles a minute, like always. I wish I had a ON/OFF switch for my brain!! I finally started dozing off, until I was rudily jarred back awake by the phone ringing...Metro calling to say the kids were out of school. I managed to get a couple of crappy hours of sleep after that until Adam went in to work this morning. Needless to say I was exhausted. On top of it all, the kids are being very ugly today...too much fussing and fighting.

I was already pre-determining in my mind, that I was way too tired and too stressed to go walk on the treadmill. I was coming up with every excuse I could NOT to go....sleepy, aggravated, too cold, snow and ice on the ground, I can go tomorrow. I was on the verge of giving in, and then.....something rose up in me and I said NO! Not this time. I have given up every other time. See, what would have happened is come tomorrow I would have made another excuse and then another, and probably wouldn't see the treadmill again until next January. That's right...I said it. I'm calling myself out. I refuse to let anything get in my way this time. I will be healthy, I will like what I see in the mirror....I will be comfy in my own skin. So you know what I did? I put on my jacket, walked over to the clubhouse and got on that treadmill!!! I walked 30 minutes, 1.6 miles again today. How did I feel? Proud, so proud that I did not give up. The most rewarding part was, that exhaustion and stress just melted away. I feel FREE! I cannot wait to do it again tomorrow!!

Staying Motivated

I have been big my whole entire life! Even as a child I was on the chunky side. I have no clue what being skinny feels like, or looks like on my body. My motivation is just picturing what I may possibly look like. My best motivation....what it will feel like to love what I see when I look in the mirror. Right now I can only imagine it, but I imagine it is one of the greatest feelings. What is it like to shop in a regular clothing store, with the whole store that I have to choose from...instead of one little corner of ugly material? Saving money from not having to pay extra for the plus size clothes because they use extra materials!! There is so much to be gained, and it is all a motivator to me!

Today I got on the treadmill. I walked 30 minutes, at 3.5mph on an incline. I walked a total of 1.6 miles. It may not seem like much to some, but I felt on top of the world. I have never went at that pace, for that long on the treadmill. It was a big accomplishment for me. I asked myself, "How did you just do that?" Other times I had always gave up as soon as I started getting tired. This time, I feel unstoppable. I am so determined and motivated. I feel....DIFFERENT! I can do this, I WILL do this!! Bring on the weigh-in Monday!!

Putting Plans Into Action

In order to make things work you must have a plan. To see results you must put the plan into action. I've been thinking a lot about my plan this week and how I can put it into action. The first thing I planned on doing was changing the way I eat. That, so far, has been successful. I put that plan into action by finding healthy recipes, and buying organic and fresh produce and veggies on my first shopping trip of the year. I have done really well at watching my calories. My goal is to stay under 1600 a day, for right now. Next plan of action....exercise. I have yet to do an actual exercise routine or get on the treadmill. I have to put my words into action or I will not get the results I want. My plan, starting out, 3-4 days a week for 30-45 minutes. I am going to start this tomorrow. I should have started last week, so I have to make up for lost time. I will also be weighing in every Monday, and will post for all to see!

The next step in planning is to set goals. This is where I mess myself up. I set unimagineable goals, and I let them defeat me. NOT THIS TIME!!! I decided to set a small weight loss goal for each month. Something reasonable and imagineable. If I reach that goal, I will reward myslelf. I don't want new clothes just yet, so I'm trying to come up with other things. I could dye my hair, or get a hair cut, or get a pedicure. Something, just for me!! This, I think will help me stay motivated, and also refreshed. I have forgotten about me and my health for far too long now. It's time to be RENEWED!!

Goal Date: February 12, 2012
Goal to Reach: Lose 8 lbs.

Reward: Hair Cut

Starting Off on My Way to Wonderland

So here we are at the beginning of another year. We all look into the new year with hope and excitement of things to come. I, like many others have made goals for this new year. At the top of my list....losing weight. It's one of my goals every year, and one I have never succeeded at. Last year I done really well, until summer hit and the kids were home for 2 months. I found myself making quicker, unhealthy meals. We also brought more junk food in the house. This year has to be different!!

This year I am coming up on my 30th birthday. I am at a comfortable time in my life....I know what I want in life, and know who I am as a person. There is only one thing left that I feel uncomfortable with....my weight! My goal is by my 30th birthday to get under 200 pounds! Even if it's 199 pounds, I will be happy. I want to go into this next chapter of my life completely comfy in my own skin. My fear is that I will fail miserably...lol...but I will try my hardest to succeed! I do have the satisfaction of knowing that no matter what, my Husband loves me and thinks I'm beautiful no matter what size I am. I love me too. I just want to love me in a smaller pant size...lol! I know I have tons of support, and I am excited about my journey on this road to Wonderland!!