Starting Once Again

I have really slacked off lately. I haven't been exercising and haven't really been paying attention to what I eat. Well, I've felt guilty every time I have eaten something I know I shouldn't but that hasn't stopped me. I'm really not happy with myself again. So, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself I have decided it's time to do something about it. I have created my exercise schedule for the week. Jim is going to be my coach and make sure I get the exercise I scheduled done each day. I am starting the week with my Shakeology three day detox. I drink a Shakeology shake for breakfast and lunch and then have a lean protein and veggies for dinner followed by a shake for an after dinner treat. It's really quite simple and since I really like these shakes it's not too hard for me to do. It's just not munching on the crap in between throughout the day. On Thursday I will start my intermittent fasting again. So, here's to a fresh start and a new challenge! I'm excited for this new beginning and the motivation I am currently feeling. Now to just fight through it when the motivation isn't as strong. And now, I'm off to exercise!

Update

Well, I'm officially down 12 pounds. I am really happy with these results even though I want it to be more pounds. I'm going to keep going and hopefully the results will keep happening. I didn't get my second workout in yesterday 'cause I was feeling really light-headed and dizzy. I really didn't want to pass out during the workout. This morning I didn't get my workout in either 'cause Vanessa woke up early and I decided to be nice and let Jim sleep in (nice excuse, I know). I'm really excited for Sunday and all the yummy Super Bowl food. I'm really happy that with this eating plan I get to have a cheat day especially for special occasions like this.

Well, I went down a pound this morning. But, since I gained a pound yesterday, I think it's all a wash. My brother in law told me he predicts I'll be down more than a pound tomorrow. We shall see. I think the food is finally cleaning out my system. I spent quite a bit of time in the bathroom today. I am getting to the point that yucky food really doesn't sound good to me which makes all of this much easier. I didn't even feel munchy today. I have to admit that I really think this is the first day I haven't wanted to munch on something sometime during the day. Of course, the day isn't over yet. I told Jim that I am really looking forward to eating my cottage cheese tonight, like I used to look forward to my ice cream. I am really happy because I feel like this is really changing my mindset so I am changing my lifestyle and will not do the whole yo-yo thing I am always doing. I got on the treadmill this morning for 45 minutes. I did a 5 incline at 2.5 speed. This afternoon I did Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD which almost killed me. My legs are really feeling the incline and squats and lunges right now. It feels wonderful!!! I'm excited to get on the scale tomorrow. Although, if I've lost a pound or less I think I'm going to scream!

Beginning of Week Three

Well, week two was not great! I didn't lose anymore weight but the great news is that I didn't really gain any either. I weighed myself yesterday and was up four pounds but then when I got on the scale today, I've only gained one pound over what I lost the first week so I am still down nine pounds. I am now on a two a day workout program so I got up this morning and ran on the treadmill and then did my TurboJam DVD this afternoon. I didn't quite get all 45 minutes in because Vanessa was screaming but I did do 35 minutes. My diet is a protein shake after my workout and then eat chicken and veggies at 2 and then workout and drink another protein shake and eat some cottage cheese at 8 at night. Exciting huh?? I'm hoping to see the quick results Dave has promised me. I have decided to save my cheat meal until Sunday since it's the Super Bowl and I want to eat all the yummy junk food. The bad news is now I have to wait until Sunday for my cheat meal. I am just really hoping I have great results this week. I'll keep posting!

Day Two of Week Two

Today was an easier day than yesterday. We were up all night with sick kids so when the alarm went off this morning I turned it off. I was way too tired to get up. Less than 20 minutes later Vanessa wanted up. I figured if I wasn't going to be sleeping I might as well be on the treadmill so I kicked Jim out of bed and off I went. I only did 30 minutes because I was running late but it felt really good. I was frustrated when I got on the scale 'cause I went up 4 ounces. I know it sounds crazy but it's my eating disorder mindset. The first thought I had was to go back to last week and not 'eat' real food. I've been fighting through it today 'cause I know that if I can keep doing this the right way, I will not only lose the weight I want and need to lose, but it will also make me healthy.

Start of Week Two

Well, I don't know what my brother in law was thinking, I think this week is going to be harder than last week. All right, so I'm being a whiner! I get to eat eggs, protein shake or oatmeal for breakfast and then I get 2 more meals the rest of the day and all I get to eat are veggies and black beans or kidney beans. Crazy! It's going to clean out my intestines this week which means I'm going to be on the toilet a lot! I'm supposed to workout every day this week but unfortunately didn't get up this morning. Between my sore throat and Vanessa getting up four times last night I thought I was too tired. Now I am kicking myself! I really wish I would have gotten up and gotten it done! Oh well, the good news is that I have learned for the future! Now I know it's better to just get up and get it done! All of this is about learning as I go. Now I just need to learn from this and keep moving forward and get up and exercise every day!! The good news is that I lost 10 pounds in one week and 1/2 inch. I was very happy this morning! This is making it all worth it! We'll see how it goes when I have to start eating lost of beans and veggies!

Day Six

I REALLY enjoyed my dinner and ice cream I got to have last night. A little too much, I was stuffed!! The amazing thing is that I woke up this morning and weighed myself and lost 2 ounces, that makes a total of 8.6 pounds lost! Woohoo!!! The bad news is that I woke up with an extremely sore throat so I couldn't work out. That was frustrating but I'll get back on that horse Monday. I talked to my brother-in-law about next week and it's not much better. All right, it's not to bad but it's going to be crazy. I get up and work out each day and right after I can eat eggs, oatmeal or a protein shake. Then I don't eat until around 4 and then eat a dinner type meal. The problem is the only thing I can eat is vegetables and black or kidney beans. Crazy!! I have a feeling I am going to be very sick of vegetables after next week but with the progress I have been seeing, I know it will be worth it. This is going to clean all the guck out of my intestines. I'm planning on working out 45 minutes every day next week except for Sunday. I'm also going to do resistance training on Monday and Wednesday. I've also decided the current running training plan I am on is too difficult so I am going to switch it and do a 'couch to 5k' training plan. This plan will get me to the point that I can run for 30 minutes straight. I'm excited for the new week!!

Day Four

Since day three was absolutely insane, I wasn't home for most of the day, I had to skip a post. But, that's good 'cause I was too busy to really think about food. The only thing from yesterday to report is that I am soooo sick of the protein shakes. The one I had to drink in the morning I couldn't finish. I choked down the one I needed to drink at night. The goon news is that I don't have any protein shakes today and hopefully next week I won't have to drink as many. Although, Jim did say we could get me some different flavored ones if I have to. That made me a little happier. Today I didn't have to get up and exercise but wanted to get in at least just 1/2 hour but was so tired I couldn't get up. Dang it! I have been good at getting all my workouts in this week so I'm not too upset, especially since today was a work out if I want day. I am REALLY looking forward to dinner tonight. Especially since I can't eat until 2 and I get to eat real food! Yay!! I am making Chinese food including potstickers, sweet and sour chicken and beef low mein. Yum!!! Can't wait! I got some cookies and cream ice cream and caramel sauce to make a yummy shake for my dessert (yes I am going for it) since I get to have dessert tonight too. I'm sure I will be super sick after eating tonight but that will be a good thing 'cause it will make me not want to eat the bad food and not overeat. The best news is that I have lost 8 pounds so far. I'm soooo happy!! It's so much easier to stick with when I see results like that! Here's to the next few days and the start of week 2. I'm so proud of myself for working so hard this week and I didn't have any cheat at all!!!! Which, I will admit was hard at times. I even went into a gas station and came out with just a Diet Coke. And yesterday when I was helping Vanessa eat her M&Ms I didn't sneak even one. I knew nobody else would know but I would know and I would be disappointed in myself. I'm excited for the accomplishment of doing this.

Day Three

Even though I am really trying to be more positive about all of this I have to be honest when I say, today has been really, REALLY hard! My workout was hard and I felt like I was going to pass out quite often. My omelet was yummy but it has made me want food a lot more today than I did yesterday. I really am surprised how yesterday was a lot easier than I thought. Today I have been really fighting (and fighting hard) to stay away from the yummy homemade bread that is sitting in my kitchen. I had to make cookies for Pack Night tonight and they didn't even tempt me, not once. It's just that darn bread! I am really happy with how I feel though. I lost 2 more pounds yesterday, yep a total of 5 so far. I feel better mentally and have more energy then I have in last year, probably more. I just really want the cravings and mental obstacles to go away. Jim has been very supportive and continues to offer me words of encouragement which really help. I can't wait for dinner Friday night. I think I'm going to make Chinese food, potstickers, sweet & sour chicken and beef low mein. Sounds so yummy right now. Something to look forward to. That, and I am almost done with the hardest week. Yay!!!

Day Two

My goal for today is to be much more positive about this process. Getting on the scale this morning and seeing that I lost 3 pounds yesterday definitely helped. I know that I will go up and down but it is the type of weight-loss I need to see to know this is worth it and to keep going. I'm so excited to make this change and to finally be able to fit back into my clothes that I have so wanted to wear for so long!

Day One

Well, I survived the first day. It wasn't the easiest day but it wasn't the worst day either, until now. I was frustrated when I took my measurements and weight this morning. I am still debating whether or not I'm going to post these things here. The pictures are embarrassing enough to me. I don't know that the numbers will really benefit or not. Maybe once I start losing I won't have such a hard time. I am just really frustrated with myself. Mostly that I have let it get to this. I have never been in the best shape or the skinniest person, but I've always been comfortable with myself. Since having kids I have struggled a lot with my weight and exercise. Today was the beginning of my uphill battle that I am going to finish and beat.

My run was pretty difficult today. I have never run on a totally empty stomach with absolutely no water the entire time. I don't exercise tomorrow but I am a little worried about the run on Wednesday because I don't eat anything all day tomorrow and once again have to run without water. All I can say is that I am really looking forward to the omelet I get to eat on Wednesday morning. The protein shake that I had for breakfast/lunch wasn't too bad. The hardest part was the fact that I went and made bread with my sister-in-law. I struggled to not cheat with some bread or some of the treats that were at Jim's parents house but I am proud to say, I had none! Even though I had a headache and felt like I was going to puke, I stayed strong. I am struggling now because this is my time of day when I usually sit down and enjoy munching on food. I brushed my teeth to try and ward off temptation and I am going to go to bed soon. Might as well get some good sleep! Here's to another day tomorrow!

The Embarrassing Beginning

So I am starting a new, and very embarrassing blog. I have to admit that I have let myself go. After having Vanessa life has really taken it's toll on me. I like to use the 'I'm so much older' excuse but come on, if I really get honest with myself, I've let myself go. I have not put myself first and although I like to use the kids and Jim and the house as an excuse, it's not. I just haven't made myself make the time for exercise, eating right, etc. Well, NO MORE!!!! I am officially starting. I had these dreams and visions of how quickly I was going to get the weight off after having Vanessa but now, almost 18 months later, I weigh more than I did after having her and I'm very frustrated myself. I have decided that instead of sitting on the couch and drowning myself in Oreos, milk and Diet Coke I am going to make a change. I am working with my EXTREMELY sweet brother in law and starting a four week diet/exercise program. I met with Dave on Friday and got my first week of eating (which is pretty much not eating ;)) and exercise. Although I am sad about having to give up my favorite food (junk), and most likely my treasured sleep (since Vanessa still isn't sleeping all night and the only way I'll get my exercise in is to do it before she wakes up in the morning) I am SUPER excited because I know if I follow this workout and eating plan, I will see results. So my journey is now going to begin. This blog is mostly for me. Okay, who am I kidding, it's just for me. But after watching Julie and Julia, I felt like I need a way to track my journey to me. This isn't going to just be about my eating and working out, it's going to be about the entire process. How I feel, the good days, the bad days, etc. It's my journal for this process. So, to begin, I decided to post a very, VERY embarrassing picture of myself. Even though I hate it, I'm going to post it with hopes that someday soon I can post a much, MUCH better and leaner picture of myself. So, here we go. This fun journey is beginning!!