Date: February 5, 2012
Final Weight: 157.8
(-7.2 lbs!!!!) -20.2 Lbs LOST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, it is here…the
last day of the program and I am excited that I made it to
12 weeks. I am happy with the effort I put forth, resulting
in numerous changes to my body – both inside and out. I
have lost numerous inches, increased my strength, toned up,
lost a couple of dress sizes, became stronger mentally, and
find myself craving healthy foods. It is weird that clothes
I wore a few months ago are so big and baggy they look
ridiculous and it is time to get rid of them (which I have
been doing a lot recently). It is weird to wear my “goal
blouse” (that I have had hanging in my closet for 4 years 8
months - I wore it for my sons 6th birthday)
which is now loose on me and I wore it today – AWESOME!!
The weight I have lost
is bitter sweet, as I have been trying for four years to
lose it. I lost some weight prior to working with Chelle
and Tab, but not as much as I have in the last 12 weeks!
Chelle and Tab, thank you for providing me with guidance,
support, and the tools necessary to change my body, my
mindset, and my lifestyle!
I also want to thank my
lovely family and friends for their support throughout the
program. My dear husband was a real asset to my success, as
there were many times when I had to get in my workout in the
evening and left him to watch the kids – Thank you!! My
kids, other family members, and friends were such a great
support system and really provided me with a lot of
encouragement and were just fabulous at cheering me on along
the way. My dedication and commitment to the program have
shown in the results that I have achieved.
Date: January 28, 2012
The
funniest thing happened this week….I was playing a game with
my kids (10 and 4) and one of the questions was “If I had to
eat one dessert for the whole year, what would it be?” My
Son (10) said, protein ice cream. My daughter (4) said
Strawberry Protein Ice Cream. My answer, Strawberry Protein
Ice Cream!! They know me so well and are really paying
attention to what I am eating and my Sunday food prep ;-D.
It is so nice to see that the changes I am making in my
nutrition are rubbing off on the family.
When I started working with Tab and
Chelle they asked me what my goals were. One of the goals
that I told them was that I want to be able to do an
unassisted pull-up. I am always so impressed when I see
people performing pull-ups because I know the amount of
muscle strength that is required – making it even more of a
victory when you can do it!! Well, this week I decided to
test my strength to see where I was at…I was able to do a
pull-up with a 16lb assist!! Holy Cow!! That was awesome!
I am almost at the point of reaching one of the many goals I
have set for myself. This is one of the many reasons that I
am excited to continue on my healthy lifestyle journeyl!
Date: January 21, 2012
Current Weight: 165.0
(+1.6lbs)
10 weeks down and 2 to
go!!! I am in the final stretch and ready to bring all that
I have these last two weeks. I am really looking forward to
the change in my cardio workout these next two weeks. So
far I have done the elliptical for steady state and the
treadmill for interval training. These next two weeks I will
be using the step mill. I can’t wait! I have not gotten on
a step mill for many years and I am looking forward to it
helping me lean out a little more during this final phase.
Cheers!
Date: January 15, 2012
WHOAAAA!! This sure was
a great week! I got in all of my exercise and followed my
nutrition plan. I learned the macronutrient ratio that I
need in order to succeed beyond this 12-week journey. I had
a fabulously tasty clean cheat meal on Sunday – there really
is a difference between just eating something to eat it and
eating something that is very tasty and rich (requiring you
to only need a little bit of it to be satisfied). I have to
say, the Chocolate Mousse Pie is to die for!!
I also killed it in the
gym pushing myself harder all the while having Tabitha and
Chelle in my head. When I thought about quitting or going
lower on weights, I just thought of what they have said to
me and re-focused my energy and finished with a bang. Three
weeks to go and still bringing it!!!
Date: January 7, 2012
Current Weight: 163.4
(-4.8lbs!!!)
So far
the New Year has been great!! It felt good knowing that
last week I killed it in the gym and in my nutrition! On
Tuesday, I went back to my normal routine of work and
school after having a wonderful holiday break. During the
week I received numerous (more than 8) compliments from
co-workers and fellow students in regard to my weight loss
and eating habits.
They are proud of what I have
accomplished and my discipline (you may not know this, but
in my graduate program we have access to unlimited sodas,
coffee, energy drinks, a huge assortment of candy bars (my
favorite is Heath), beef jerky, granola bars, candy, fresh
fruit, lunch – i.e. Italian, Mexican, or Greek, etc. and
breakfast – i.e. bagels, muffins, breakfast burritos,
pastries, fresh fruit, etc) but I am not eating any of it.
I try to stay out of the break room and not put myself in
the position that I will be tempted by these foods. When I
am in the break room I make sure that I grab a hot tea or
bottled water. I will grab a fruit or authorized salad only
if I need to compliment my lunch/snack, but I always make
sure that I am prepared with clean meals for class.
I am getting to the point
where small changes in my weight/inches are making a big
difference in my clothes. I had to go shopping for new
pants (in a smaller size), which was AWESOME!! I am
determined more than ever to bring all that I can these last
four weeks and really pushing myself to reach my goals.
Date: December 31, 2011
I am embarrassed to say
it, but I fell off of the program over the holiday weekend.
I turned my two cheat meals into what feels like two cheat
days. Once I had a taste of sugary foods I just kept
eating, so much so that I actually ended up being very sick
on Sunday evening…which wasn’t fun for me or my husband -
who had to listen to it. I think the thing that is harder
to do than admit that I fell off track was getting back on.
After not feeling well and having problems with my throat,
my body was achy and I could not workout that next day.
Also, on Monday I was not very hungry and missed most of my
meals. By Tuesday I felt better and was ready to get back
on track. I went shopping for groceries, prepped my meals
for the week and got back on the workout train. For me,
this journey is about not falling back into old habits and
while I may have had unauthorized foods; I did not let that
stop me from remembering that I really want to reach my
goals. I still have time to do it and I will! Looking
forward to all that I can do and what 2012 has to offer!
Happy New Year to the best me I can be!!
Date: December 24, 2011
I am halfway there -6
weeks down, 6 weeks to go!! This was a good week. I got in
all of my exercise and really hit it hard this week. It was
a great feeling when my heart rate lowered this week, while
doing my cardio at a high intensity. I have also found that
I really like that I am sweating intensely during my circuit
workouts.
Over the weekend I went
to a couple of holiday parties and it was nice that friends
and family commented on my weight loss. They all wanted to
know what I was doing and I let them know that I was eating
healthier and working out under the direction of my trainer
and nutritionist!! Then I discussed the program I was
selected for and what my goals are. I also let them know
that it is not easy, it takes time planning my meals and
making time to work out, that it really is hard work, but
also that it is totally worth it!
My downfall this week
has been the holiday parties. I think the hardest thing
about the holidays is looking forward to all of the comfort
food that I am used to enjoying. This is the challenge that
I am still trying to tackle, but I know I will come out
ahead.
Date: December 17, 2011
Current Weight: 168.2
(-3.0!!)
This was probably the toughest week that I will have
throughout this 12 week transformation. It was tough
juggling school, work, and family while finding the time to
get in my workouts – more so than any other week. I am in
school for my graduate degree and it was FINALS week! There
was a lot to do to complete assignments and study for exams,
but I made it through. For the most part I stuck to the
meal and exercise plan, I veered off during the day of
finals, but still ate healthy foods and got in a small
workout.
I am looking forward to the holidays and the challenges of
social gatherings. Why? Well, because I am ready to prove to
myself that I control food and it does not control me.
These past 5 weeks I have stuck strictly to the plan and
have only allowed myself to have planned cheat meals. This
next week will be no different.
Date: December 12, 2011
What does goal weight mean to
me?
Ooooh, did you know that I LOVE the
scale? Well, I do. I love to get on it and look to see
what number the scale fairies will give me today! I always
seem to be in search of losing another pound. This leads me
to the past few years, months, and days in which I have
thought about….”Goal Weight.” While I try not to let it get
me down, I still think, “what do I want to weigh?” But, I
am finding that it is not just about the magic number on the
scale, which is what I have really been trying to engrain in
my mind over the last few weeks.
A few months ago I told my husband
that I would be satisfied with my weight and body if I could
only get rid of my stomach. I am so envious of women that
have flat stomachs, whether natural or a result of hard
work. But yes, my stomach is the part of my body that I
just wish were flat. So, it looks like I would reach goal
weight when I have a flat stomach, but that is not
realistic. What is more realistic is to think about what I
will be able to do at “goal weight.” I will be able to run
faster, lift heavier, do an unassisted pull-up, bend over to
tie my shoes without my stomach causing me to be out of
breath (yes, it still happens sometimes).
Right now, it is something that once I
achieve it I will be able to maintain it with exercise and
healthy eating. So, with that….goal weight to me means
being healthy; i.e. physically fit (both muscularly and
cardiovascularly) and maintaining a nutritious diet (while
limiting the cheat meals – which I must say is hard to do
around the holidays, but not impossible). Above all,
it will be a weight that I am comfortable at, I will feel
good when trying on clothes, and after a while, people will
not congratulate me on my weight loss, they will just
comment on how fit and healthy I am.
Talking with Tabitha and Chelle and
discussing my goals for the future (being in a figure
competition), they mentioned a weight that I will be for the
competition, this weight was 10 lbs less than I thought I
would be able to get to. At this point, it is hard to even
imagine my body at that weight (since it will be lower than
my weight in high school). But each day I continue to work
hard to reach my current and future goals while trying to
envision what I will look like. Let me just say, I LOOK
GOOD!!
J
Date: December 10, 2011
I am
finding that the weather is making it hard to be motivated
to workout early in the morning. It has been sooooo cold. On
Monday we received snow, so I was off of work and was at
home with the kids due to school and work closures. It was
nice to be home, but I must say that it is far easier to go
to the gym and workout than trying to fit in my workout at
home. I had to pull out all of my equipment, piece by piece
from the garage and bring it into the living room. Man, is
that weight bench a heavy sucker!
When I had my cheat meal this week, I realized that the food
I was craving did not even taste that good and it felt like
I wasted a meal. I am now on a quest to make sure that each
cheat meal is truly worth it. The rest of the week went well
and I am proud of myself for my progress. I am really
excited by the fact that I am able to stick to the diet
portion of the program, which is something I have
continually struggled with in the past.
Finally, I am one who struggles with the scale. Only because
I want to weigh myself every day - sometimes 2-3 times per
day. Therefore, I have decided that I will put the scale
away and will not get on it until Tabitha and Chelle tell me
to. Yikes!! I feel weird about the thought of not weighing
myself EVERYDAY, but this will be a good thing...so, for now
it is GOODBYE to the scale. The next time I step on it, I
hope to be pleasantly surprised!
Date: December 3, 2011
Current Weight: 171.2
(-2.4!!)
This week
was about determination and the desire to succeed!
Over the
weekend I was out of town but I was able to make the program
work by packing all of my meals and locating a gym to
complete my workouts. Once home I felt very tired after the
trip and just needed some rest. During the week it was
hard to stay motivated to complete my workouts, as I was
still so tired, but I stuck to the plan 100%.
During the
week I was also down about not losing the weight I had
hoped. On Thursday I was looking for something to wear to
work and nothing was fitting the way I wanted it to. I
decided to try on a pair of pants that I have waited for 8
months to wear. They actually fit!! I actually dropped a
dress size in less than three weeks! SWEET!!
I have to continue to remind myself that
this journey is not just about the movement on the scale (as
it may not move, or quite possibly will move in the wrong
direction) but about being committed, dedicated and giving
100% - which is what I am doing. The whole week through
being tired and feeling like things are not going as quickly
as I would like, I kept reminding myself of what Chelle and
Tabitha said, “trust the process, trust us!” I am so glad
that I did. This was a great week!
Date: November 26, 2011
This week was a challenge with getting
in my meals timely during the workday and going out of town
for the holiday. I was so busy at work on Tuesday that I did
not have time to take a break and eat my snack. I need to
make sure that I take the time to get all of my nutrition
in. On Wednesday I prepared and packed my meals for the next
four days as I went out of town for Thanksgiving. It really
worked out great packing everything separately and putting
each day's worth of meals into separate grocery bags (along
with that days menu). I was able to quickly and easily heat
up my food and this truly helped me stay on track with each
meal.
In the past I would follow a plan for a week and then the
next week, I would go back to my old habits and gain any
eight that I hade lost. Well, I am happy to report that I am
TWO WEEKS DOWN!! Woo Hoo! I can't beleive it went by so fast
and that I have done such a great job sticking to the
program. I am looking forward to seeing what I can
accomplish during the next two weeks!
Date: November 21, 2011
Current Weight: 173.6
(-4.4 lbs!!!)
The
tools that Tabitha and Chelle provided to me really helped
me stay on track during the week. Understanding the amount
of food that is needed to fuel my body for the workouts has
been a huge wake-up call. I have never eaten so many
vegetables in a day. As I do my workouts in the morning, I
find that breakfast is a lot of food. As the day goes on, I
just get hungrier and hungrier and find that my last two
snacks are pretty much one right after the other. Once I eat
dinner I am satisfied for the evening. The recipes are very
tasty and have totally changed how I eat. This whole week
not once did I not want to eat the food in my cooler...I
really looked forward to each meal. Preparation is KEY!!
Even though I have been working a lot over the last 3 1/2
years, I have to say that the weight and cardio workouts are
already working. I have felt a good sore each day and have
already found new muscle groups through the various
exercises.
I feel great when I wake up each morning and I am ready and
motivated to tackle the day, all the while knowing that I am
on track to reach my goals!
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