Sunday, October 25, 2009

The picture that launched this journey

March 2009, 212.20 lbs

Post 40 lbs Weight Loss


The Half-Way Point - Minus 40

Wow this is hard work!!!! But honestly looking back well worth all the effort. My next battle will be to take this to the end and lose 40 more lbs. That I know will be so much harder! But you know, I have established habits now and no matter how long this takes me, it will be all worth it.
Just this morning I was trying to think about what I used to eat for breakfast before I started this journey and I have to say I had a hard time remembering...and that I think speaks volumes!
It is also apparant that I will not meet my goal come January 1, 2010 and that being of an 80lbs weight loss. To be perfectly honest, that does bum me out a bit, but maybe my goal was unrealistic? and to be honest again, does it really matter? What does matter is that I did start this journey, I have been faithful to it and I have lost half the weight that I want to lose so far. It may not be a win-win but it still is a win!!!
I realize too that this next 4o will be the most difficult! so your continued prayers and encouragement will be most needed! Thank you to all of your kind words...I've got a group of great friends....I AM RICH!!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The First 20 pounds

Well by my calculation, it took me nearly 70 days to lose 20 lbs. It seems like a long time on this side of the pen since I'm the one who lived it and struggled those many days. But looking back, the routine was easy and the struggle worth it.

It has been worth it because I guess it takes many days for a routine to become ingrained in a person, and besides the obvious sign of weight loss and that being the pounds coming off, I needed to and still do need to establish better eating habits so I can live a lifetime of health. Did I struggle? Of course yes! I wouldn't be human if I didn't. There were days when those Ice Cream commercials looked so good! and the days my butt was dragging and I didn't want to go to the gym...yes those days I struggled. I struggled too when 2 weeks back to back I hardly lost anything. Those days were pretty tough on me! I have worked very hard and have been very dedicated to this mission of mine. But I'm learning not to look back and only forward to my goal. I've also learned to set small goals for myself so that it helps propel me onward. For instance, my next goal is to be under 190 lbs. I imagine too, that if you are climbing a mountain in real life that you set markers ahead as a goal to help you climb to the summit. Tackling a small mountain is a lot easier than a large one ;)

The rewards for hard work are great too! A week or so ago my clothes where getting so baggy that it looked ridiculous! So off I went to Goodwill to find some clothes to fit me....it felt good to put on a smaller size. Each time I go down 1 size will be another reward....I am anxious to know what size I'll be after 80lbs of weight loss and weight training....you see...I've never been there before. I'm excited!!!

Well, its time to put the 20lbs I've lost behind me and move on to the next. I have to tell all of you that your prayers and kind words mean the world to me! I appreciate you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship!!!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

My Chub Progression

The beginnings of Chub



Chubster

I weighed 140 in this


155 at my wedding

155

Awful!

Just had to ad a cute older picture of my babies! :)


Pretty current, 210ish

Friday, May 8, 2009

Interesting Find

Well it has been one week since I've set off on my trek up this mountain of mine, along this journey I've noticed a few interesting things.

Day 1 - I had no trouble except to stomach tuna from a can without any mayo! I've discovered that there is no possible way I can stomach that and I refuse to eat it. So my plan is to substitute chicken for it instead.

Days 2 & 3 - I had a headache and felt out of sorts if that makes any sense. I have read that it was me coming off of refined sugars, caffeine and diet sodas. Now what in the world was I doing to my body that would have me detoxing....boy makes one think doesn't it?

Day 4 - I had been feeling great and by weeks end I had a ton more energy and even read in Tosca's book that when you feel run down, that is when you need to get out and exercise. I made it all 5 days to the gym and the trick to it is to decide at the start of the day that you are going to go. When you make it part of your day, you find that you don't go through the feelings of "oh, I just don't feel like it" I have never regretted going and feel energized afterward.

Some other interesting things I've learned this week is that I did not crave sugar or soda AT ALL!!! now that is a miracle! I used to crave those items everyday....honestly, I just didn't think about it. I was full most of the time and never felt deprived. Pat says that when he puts his hand on me at night that I feel warmer...perhaps it is because I'm burning fat! Is that cool or what. He said to that my skin is smoother too...that I think comes from being hydrated property for once.

So over in all I am looking forward and staying the course...the journey is not over so keep me in your prayers!

Thanks,
Kim

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Preparations

Well tomorrow is the big day! I'm a bit nervous standing at the base of this mountain of mine! I guess the trick is to not look up but straight ahead, right? Mixed in this nervousness is also a twinge of excitement, because I'm looking to the day I step on the scale and it reads "135" Ahhh how glorious!

Preparations are underway today! I've decided on the diet by Tosca Reno called "The Eat-Clean Diet". Tosca was over 40 years of age and over 200 lbs when she started out...today it is hard to believe she is someone who is pushing 50 and has a model fit body! Check the web on her and you can see for yourself (now please understand that I am not seeking model like attributes, but rather a slim and healthy frame). Her diet is based on clean whole foods and shying away from processed ones. Her diet is sensible and appears to be effective! I have to confess I am not looking forward to some of the meals as they have whole grains and vegetables that I have not tasted before...Just the sound of some does not seem appealing. Case in point "Quinoa" what in the world is that? But truthfully, these foods are healthy and my taste buds for sure have been poorly trained! The process I will undergo will include retraining my taste buds to like healthier foods. So, in preparation I am hitting the stores for proper cooking equipment, proper storage containers and a list of food items to stock the pantry and fridge. Tonight the ipod gets charged, the workout clothing pulled out and dusted off ;) and a refresher on how to get to the gym (just kidding)

Thank you to those of you who posted all the kinds words. They mean more to me than you know! I covet your prayers as this journey will not be easy...if it was I wouldn't be standing at the foot of a mountain right now! Please feel free to share some more and wish me luck :)

Kim

Sunday, April 26, 2009

My mountain

Recently my husband Pat and I have been doing a study with one of our cell groups called "Financial Peace University", by Dave Ramsey. It is valuable in that we are now (in our 40's) trying to get our act together financially. One video series a couple of weeks ago peaked my interest, in the video Dave talks about building your wealth over many years. He says that the tortoise always wins in the book, "The Tortoise and the Hare". He describes this also as a bicyclist trying to ride up a mountain...he says with momentum, you could get part way straight up the mountain but you will soon peeter out. But the best way to reach the crest or the top if you will would be to go at it slower...sideways. It got me thinking about the mountain in my life, and that being my weight struggles. I could have momentum for a month or two but I always peeter out. Sometimes I have lost a little bit of weight, where other times I have lost significant amounts. All too soon however I seem to put it back on (and then some).

This past April I have been feeling my size 18 (yes that's correct) feeling a bit snugger. Yes I know I've been eating more so it comes as no surprise to me that I am gaining even more weight! But I want to tackle my mountain now, I am tired of being tired and feeling the life I dream of slipping away. I find myself not wanting to be social, feeling very self-conscious around not only my husband but around friends and at social events. This is not me! I love being around people and feel like its time. So with that being said, I have decided to start my journey on May 1, 2009. I have been told by my husband that my goal of losing 10 pounds a month will be a large goal, but a goal I must have and it is a goal I will try to attain! I plan on attending the gym 5 days a week and spending at least 45 minutes there. Since the 1st is a Friday, I will weigh and measure myself only on Fridays and report back on this blog. I am still researching the best diet for me that will fit my busy lifestyle. Because finances are an issue, I will not join a formal program but will follow an already established diet plan that meets my culinary likes but also hopefully gets the results I am looking to attain. That being 2.5 lbs per week to meet my goal of 10 pounds per month. I have yet to weigh myself but I estimate my weight today at 215, so with a weight loss of 80 pounds that would bring my eventual weight to 135. My frame is 5'5' and my build is med to large boned. This weight goal seems reasonable for my frame.

I realize this is a private issue but because I want to win this time, I want accountability partners, to be transparent, to give a voice to my struggle and to be encouraged along the way...a bonus might be to inspire someone else to tackle their mountain! So please feel free to comment on this blog, share your stories and yes call me to the carpet when I blow it! Follow me on twitter too as I will post my struggles through the day.

Friday is coming....Lord help me :)