I'm Back!

I fell off my journey for a bit. I had a medical issue for 3 months and though it wouldn't have limited some exercises, I became depressed and withdrew from my goals.

Now I'm here giving it another whirl.
I'm excited to get back on track!

I currently weigh 267.8. So I have a long ways to go!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Day 85

Ive been MIA for awhile. I've had some obstacles in my way these last 2 1/2 weeks. First, I injured my ankle while working out. I thought it was broken at because that crap hurt, but it was sprained. So I have not been to the gym.

Then we went on a mini vacation, which was fun but after I have found myself in a little depression. I don't know why but spraining my ankle and not being able to hit the gym has made me feel a lil off.

I feel like just giving up but know I can't and won't...

The ankle is alot better and I'm pushing myself to get back on my grind. It seems harder now then it did when I first started.

Stay tuned....

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Day 65: Weigh In

My body is sore today. I have been over doing it at the gym. Summer ofcourse is here and I almost feel rushed to hurry and lose. I know its not doable and its not going to happen overnight but sometimes I lose sight of this and want to rush.

I have to remind myself that though I'm not going to be the 190 lbs that I wish I was this summer....I have to feel the now and what I'm achieving thus far....

• I FEEL good! Not just outside but inside, where it really matters!
• I am eating good, way better than before and setting an example on my children.
• I am not as reserved as I once was when wearing something cute. 

I am down another 1 lb and 4 oz.

Day 56: Weigh in

My weekend started out okay until my van gave me some issues. Seems the power steering pump gave out while I was driving miles away from home! It caused a huge headache and $$$, both of which I wasn't expecting to deal with this weekend. I still made it to the gym, tho!

Besides the mess that occurred this weekend, I've been feeling really good. I've been getting compliments on how I'm starting to look like I'm losing weight from friends and family members. This morning I decided to take are really good look in the mirror. I could see my waist is shrinking, my thighs are gaining muscle, my upper arms are starting to look more defined and I could see it in my face that I'm losing weight. Feels so good and it's very motivating. Makes me try harder the next time around at the gym.

I did weigh in this morning and lost 1.4 lbs. I'm now down to 263.6. A few more and I'll be in the 250s which would really be a milestone for me because I wasn't that weight since 2001! That would really be the pusher for me to keep going. Can't wait!!

Day 51

With the holiday weekend I was so busy with spending time with my family and just letting loose! I have been working out on the days I had to and even worked out on the weekend and Memorial Day. I especially worked out harder being with the holiday and all, I went to a few picnics over the weekend and watched what I ate. I am now picnicked out! I don't want to see another hot dog, cheeseburger, bbq chicken or potato salad in a very long time!

Weigh in was yesterday but didn't have the time to weigh myself. So this morning I weighed in and I weigh 265 lbs. I am down 8 oz. I also, measured myself today and have lost 3.25 inches making the a total of 17.75 inches lost since I started my challenge!! I can already feel the difference in my clothing. My pants around the waist and thighs fit bigger and my shirt sleeves are a tad bigger and not as snug as they used to be. Little by little....

At the gym, I notice myself using the different machines to challenge myself a little more. I love the arc trainer! I can easily burn a lot of calories on this bad boy! I find my workout more intense using this machine. I have used the arc trainer 5 times now and I already see results on my calves, thighs and butt.

I'm stepping forward little by little.....


NOTE: This post was written on June 1, 2010 but didn't post til today because for some reason I forgot to publish the post yesterday. Sorry for the confusion.

Disappointment!

I'm so disappointed in myself. Remember I wrote a post last Tuesday that I did not exercise over the weekend....Well I have not exercise all of last week except for Saturday. I knew I had to. I should have...I wanted to go but didn't. There are no excuses. I just didn't and that's why I am so mad at myself. I just couldn't get myself going last week. 

On Saturday morning, I laid in bed and just thought about how motivated I was the week before. I thought about how I was already failing. Sure it was only a week but it is so easy to jump off a routine but so hard to jump right back into it. So I got up, brushed my teeth, got my gym cloths on, grabbed my water bottle and Ipod and I was out the door at 6:45am. Started up the van and off I was to the gym. I didn't even give myself time to even think about it because I knew I would surely come up with an excuse.

At the gym, I bumped into someone I normally see there. She commented on how she has not seen me "in awhile". She made it seem as if I haven't come in weeks. I felt like defending myself. I found myself looking for an excuse. But in all honesty, I only missed a week. So I told her and she was all like "oh, you shouldn't do that". Inside I agreed with her. I knew she was right. But I felt like I was being scolded or something like I was a little girl and I wanted to tell this woman off. She continued on to encourage me and then I felt bad. Here I was trying to be mad at this woman when I should be mad at myself for being so damn lazy. For not pushing myself to do what I set out to do. To look away from what I PROMISE MYSELF. This woman knew what she was talking about. She has lost 70 lbs so shes been through it all. After speaking to her it felt good. I almost felt like I was kicked in the butt because I got on that elliptical trainer and I swore I was never going to do this again. 

As you know, today would be my weigh in day but I'm not going to do it. I don't want to disappoint myself further and so, I will wait til next week to weigh in. Next time I try to do the same thing and not go to the gym, I will remember how lazy and sluggish I felt and the let down I felt.

No more!

Day 37: Weigh In

Sorry, I have been really busy all weekend and for the most part yesterday. I had a busy Saturday out of town to see a friend and go to the local fair over there. I had tons of fun and lots of walking. That same day was also  my oldest son's birthday party in the evening. He turned 13 years old!! So he had lots of his buddies over for the party and for the night. Then Sunday, we were off  to go shopping and then to my cousin's daughters birthday party....I have not been to the gym since Friday and missing it dearly. Cake was on the menu on Saturday as well as Sunday and they were Oh.So.Good...YIKES! I did manage to eat right besides eating cake. I just wished I was able to make to the gym atleast once.

Anyway, I couldn't weigh in yesterday but I did manage to weigh myself today and am down 4 ounces. I blame the kettlebell. I'm building muscle and hopefully soon I get to lose atleast 1lb a week.

Day 32: A Month Into my Journey!

It's been a month since I started the gym and I am so proud of myself. Your wondering why? A month isn't so much but I'm proud I stuck with it for a whole month. Usually, I would have threw in the towel at two weeks in but I didn't this time and that is why I'm so proud. I have lost 6.8 lbs so far and lost 14.5 inches!!

From when I started to now:

Not bad, huh? My clothes are starting to feel just right now instead of being so tight. I'm looking forward to changing my pants size from my now size 22.....soon....I hope! Can't wait to get rid of my muffin top..LOL! My waist is my biggest issue and I'm really trying to get rid of it.

I feel good! Not just about losing weight but about myself. I feel like I'm doing something for me and not for others. This is something that will help me be a better me and that just makes me feel so good!!

Day 29: Weigh In

I have been doing pretty good with exercising and eating right. I did have a weak moment but I worked harder at the gym to make up. (I had a slice of cake yesterday for Mother's Day)....Hey, I deserved it! I've been doing an hour each day of cardio at the gym. Here's what I have been doing:

• 10 minutes on the stationary bike 
• 20 minutes on the cross trainer (I love this machine. I usually burn 300+ on this bad boy)
• 30 minutes on the treadmill

This is not what I will be doing everyday but what I have been doing for the last 5 days. I plan to switch it up a little now and then.

Well, I stepped on the scale this morning and only lost 8 oz. I didn't like that too much, considering that I worked very hard but this week I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I am determined to get my way and I'm not going to back down! :)

On Saturday, I was shopping at Walmart and decided to buy a Gold's Gym 10 lb. kettlebell. I have been reading up on them and really wanted to try them out. I bought the smallest weight they had because I'm just starting out. So I took my new kettlebell home and did a 30 minute workout. I actually love using it rather than doing strength training at the gym with their weights. It wasn't hard. Just had to learn how to swing it correctly which can be found anywhere on the internet. It counts as part cardio, as well, so that's nice. As I get more comfortable with the kettlebell I plan to get more heavier ones.

Little Steps to Eating Right..

Okay, it's not easy. It's been a roller coaster for me to eat right. It's especially bad when you have such a big family to cater to and it's been a really huge challenge for me to make them adjust to healthier food choices. We have made some good changes. My kids were big juice drinkers and really didn't care for the water. Well, hubby bought a water cooler a couple of months ago and so now that's all they want to drink, which is okay with me. Then we eat salad mostly every night as a side salad or sometimes as the full meal, topped with chicken, fish or steak. I had a few problems at first with my two oldest ones, that would say things like "I hate eating like rabbits!" and "I feel like I'm eating grass!" LOL! After a while, they just got used to it because they knew that if they didn't eat it, they didn't eat nothing. I still make the same things for them that I used to but I have had to learn how to portion them better and try to substitute to make it a more healthier meal.

There are many times that I make my favorite dish, usually high in fat but I downsize it. The challenge is when I can't get enough and I see everyone else enjoying but I'm limiting. There are days that I can be content with what I've eaten but then there are those that I want more. I guess there are always going to be those kinds of days...

I have made some steps in my eating. For breakfast, I will usually eat healthy...A bowl of oatmeal and fruit instead of eating nothing. For lunch, salad and soup or a sandwich with all the fixin's instead of a fast food lunch. My snacks have changed, as well. My snacks used to consist of Doritos, chocolate cake, chocolate bars and ice cream. Now the snacks I eat are fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, granola bars, light string cheese and microwaved pepperonis. Whenever I get a the infamous sweet tooth, JELLO is where it's at with a little whipped cream on top!

I'm hoping to keep this up. I have to.

What are some healthy changes you have adjusted to since eating right?

Day 22: Weigh In

So today is my weigh in. I have to say that I have been doing some strength training and thought I was going to be disappointed at the scale being that usually when you start adding strength training you usually build muscle for awhile. Not this week! I am at 267 lbs, that's now 1.8 lbs lost for this week.

I worked out yesterday for a total of 2 hours at the gym. Not because I planned to but because I lost track of time. I had my Ipod on my favorite playlist and it had 2 hours of music, so I stopped when the playlist ended. I was really enjoying myself, which is something I never thought I could do at the gym. I burned 720 calories!

Day 20

Started my day with lots to do. Yard sales, paying some bills and shopping. Then I worked out at the gym for an hour and a half.  Then took the kids to the fair. We did so much walking but it was nice. I had so much energy! There was so many temptations, though. Funnel cakes, french fries, bbq ribs, spanish food and pizza. I didnt give in and when we left i was so proud of myself. Water is a great filler! Anyhow, i had a great day and 20th day of my challenge!

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Sidetracked...Again!

I didn't make it to the gym this morning again, that's 2 days now. My son has strep throat and up all night for 2 nights so i've been a walking zombie. I've had no energy or motivation to do any exercises. He's feeling alittle better now. I'm going to hit the gym in the evening and will be going Sat and Sunday. Can't wait...I'm missing it!

Help! I'm Hungry!

Yes, like the title says! Yesterday was a really hard day for me. It seemed like whatever I ate wasn't filling me up. I had an egg scrambled with cheese, a slice of wheat toast and orange juice for breakfast. Had cottage cheese for my mid snack. For lunch, I had a bowl of shrimp wonton soup and a banana. Then for dinner I had mexican rice, beans and green beans but in a smaller portion than I usually eat. After dinner, I was still hungry so I just drank more water.

Then when it was time for bed, I had hunger pains....Oh, it was so bad. I dreamt of cake topped with tons of icing and filled with pineapple filing and hamburgers!! LOL! That's how bad it was. I don't know what that was all about but today I feel some what better not as hungry as yesterday, that's for sure.

This doesn't happen all the time to me but somedays it just creeps up. I would like to know what to do on days like this?

Day 15: Weigh In

Today's weigh in......268.8 lbs. So basically I haven't lost nothing this week. I was so disappointed but then I have to admit, I ate out yesterday and really didn't watch the calories. My son had his friend over so we decided to head over to Taco Bell. Haven't been there in years. Had a steak Grilled Stuffed Burrito, which is like near 700 calories and then we headed to Dairy Queen for Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzards. Another 730 calories!!! Oh, how I wish I didn't do that.....

Anyhow, I decided to take measurements of my body and compare them to my starting measurements. A friend encouraged me to take measurements when there wasn't a change at the scale.

I have an app I downloaded off of iTunes for my Ipod Touch called BodyShot and that's where I track my measurements. Here are my results for my starting and now measurements:

That's 9.5 inches all over lost!! So motivating!!!

Day 13

I've been slacking for a few days and have missed 2 days . I normally would exercise Monday-Friday but this week I made it to Monday & Tuesday and didn't go Wed. or Thursday. I did, however, went yesterday evening (Fri) and this morning (Sat). Wednesday was not a good day for me. I don't know if it was the weather or because I just felt so exhausted. I think I needed a little break....I did notice that when I put one day off, it was really easy for me to take another one off. I was starting to feel sluggish and I quickly picked myself up!

 I kept myself busy today, as well. Started my morning workout early then off to yard sales. Went to a couple yard sales that involved a lot of walking which I did enjoy!

So Far, So Good!

It's been a week since I started my challenge and I was happy to see the scale go down. I've lost 4 lbs!! I went to the gym only 3 days last week but I kept active by doing a lot of walking at the park and "spring cleaning."   This only motivates me more and I'm looking forward to losing a lot more!! 

04/12/10: 273 lbs 
04/19/10: 269 lbs

Day 3 of Challenge

Well today started out great. I was in the gym at 6:00AM. I pushed an hour of the treadmill and the stationary bike. Wasn't ready for the elliptical trainer yet but I think tomorrow is the day....I forgot my Ipod so I had many thoughts running in my head...

• Like, why I could forget about something so necessary?
• Why I was even in there at 6:00AM to begin with?
• Why I wanted to lose weight?

Well, now thinking about it, only two were important questions. Why I was even in there at 6:00AM and Why I wanted to lose weight? 

1. To keep up with my kids and especially, my 17 month old son who is all over the place nowadays.
2. To be able to fit into regular sizes instead of the 2x, 3x that are soooo expensive.
3. To feel healthy.
4. To be more energized instead of feeling so sluggish.
5. To look good!!

Day 2 of Challenge

So yesterday was my first day at the gym and I loved it! Started out on the treadmill for a 30 min walk then 15 min on the stationary bike and 10 on the stair master. After this workout I had energy all day. I felt so good!

Today, I was on the treadmill for 45 min walk and 10 min on the stationary bike.

I didn't think I was going to enjoy the gym. I had this misconception that everyone was going to be fit and would look at me weird but it was the other way around. There were people there of all walks of life, fat and slim. No one looked at me wrong and I was so relieved to feel good about being there. Anyway, I have been putting going to the gym for years and now I feel, I've been missing out. ;)

Okay, my plan is to:

• Work out 5 days a week for atleast an hour a day.
• Continue drinking 1 gallon of water a day.
• Watch my food intake/calories.
• Track my workouts.
• Blog daily

For a month now, I have started to cut down on the food and sweets I normally eat. I've had a really hard time trying to figure out how to eat healthy and have been adjusting my diet slowly. My normal diet consisted on rice and beans, fried meats, fried appetizers and sweet desserts. Yes, I'm latina. It can be really challenging to change the way you eat, especially if you're used to certain foods. So, I still eat them but in small portions. I have, however, stopped eating fried meats. I bake them or use my Foreman Grill to grill them.

With the few changes I have made with my diet alone in a month I have lost 6 lbs! From 279-273! May not seem like a lot but it does give me some kind of hope that I can do this.

Here's my now picture that someday will be a before picture.

Your probably wondering why I made the bold move of putting my picture for all to see? It's actually a reminder to myself what I don't want to go back to when I do lose the weight.

Okay...that's it for now. I will be back to tell you more about my journey. Stay tuned!!