Here I am..starting again..getting it DONE!!!

I don't even want to think about how many times I have "started" this thing!!!  But~this WILL be the last!!!  I know it..I feel it..I am ready for it this time!!!!  At one point, I was 245 but those five pounds were lost rather quickly.  I then wavered between 238 and 233 for the LONGEST period of time!!!!  It would REALLY frustrate me because I would start a rigorous exercise regimen..and gain weight..seriously people?!?!  How does that happen????  I understand the whole "gaining muscle" thing..but I have enough weight to lose that I should be losing something instead of just "gaining muscle!"  UGH!!  It frustrated me so bad.  I would give up my exercises...and lose weight..every single time!  I don't understand it!  I still don't!! But..I am now down..222!!!  YES!!!!  And that is ALL by eating right!  I haven't worked out in a couple months.  I am eating a healthy, protein-filled breakfast.  Still my salad or other healthy lunch.  A good, healthy dinner.  I stop there or I eat good, filling snacks!  I am back tracking myself on My Fitness Pal!  I am losing and loving it!  I am actually nervous to start my exercises..but I do have it on my calendar and I am DOING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!   YEAH!! Welcome back and I hope we can take this journey together!!!  

Starting again..

I'm going at this again..gosh how many times to I have to "start" this..

I am starting this at 235.2.

My short-term goals are:

1) Work out for 30 minutes in the morning, 6 days a week.
2) Work out at the gym for 1-2 hours 5 times a week.
3) Do a run outside once a day, 6 days a week.
4) Count my calories to get the amount of calories my weight needs in order to lose weight at rest.
5) Lose 15 pounds a month.
6) Read my scriptures for 15 minutes each day.
7) Say my prayers morning and night.

In one year from now, I will:

1) Run a half-marathon.
2) Complete a triathlon.
3) Have lost 100 pounds.
4) Have read the Book of Mormon.

Okay..so..here goes nothing....thank you for bearing with me and always encouraging me!

Again....

Here we go..AGAIN!  So..I was doing really well..I had lost 2 inches and 4 pounds.  (not a lot of weight..but that's my own fault).  Then..I got a major migraine so I didn't go to the gym..and it lasted for over a week..it's an excuse..yes..but my migraines are debilitating..literally!  So..after being out of it it's been WAY hard to start back up again..but I am doing it..today!  

I have a few ladies that come over and weigh in on Saturday mornings.  It's a safe place to talk about what works..what doesn't..what we want help with..I really like it!  I've lost 4 pounds (gained 1 back) since that started..without really working out or eating "right!"

So here's a few goals I have for myself...

1) Exercise for an hour a day 5 days a week.  
2) Wake up at 6am every day to do a little stretching and exercising to get my blood working, then getting READY for the day!
3) There is a certain pair of pants, size 16-which is the size I am currently wearing, that I can zip and button...but they look AWFUL..and I want to get into them and have them look hot! :D

My starting weight is 227.4!

So..we will see how I do this week!  I'll report back often!  

Another 1 down...5 more to go!

Am I the only one who notices the "little things" that make you think "hmm..am I really losing weight?"  We have a van (I know..UGH!) and a car right now.  When I drive the car I have to scoot the seat up quite a bit because I am short and can't reach the pedals but when I try to get out (the seats are low so I've got to twist and pull from the bucket seats) my stomach hits the steering wheel.  I got sick of that so I started moving the seat back when I needed to get out.  Well...lately I haven't been needed to move the seat back.  I think.."am I losing weight or do I not have the seat up as far as usual?"  Then there's "are my sweatshirts really fitting me differently or am I imagining it?"  And once again, I believe the later.  And also, "wow..I didn't get tired carrying full laundry baskets up and down the stairs a couple of times."

Well..for about a week I've been curious as to if my old size 16's would fit or not...finally on Friday I decided to grab a pair and put them on.  I was fully expecting them to make it to my butt and stop..like before..but they kept going...on..and zipped and buttoned!  I was quite shocked..and actually rather giddy!  (VERY different emotions from the first time I put them on and they fit..which was sometime close to after Haylee and Peyton were born..yep..3 years ago!)  I just could NOT believe it!  They were actually comfortable and not that tight!  I doubt I will wear them on a daily basis just yet though.  They make me a bit more self conscious about my stomach..but I do wear them with baggier shirts and sweatshirts!  

Cory's been telling me he can see that I'm losing weight..but I never believe it and discount it as "he's my husband he has to tell me those things."  I constantly ask Cory if it's going to work.  

"Am I really going to lose all the weight?"  

"Am I ever going to look like me again?"

"Will it work?"

So..here's to hard work and dedication.  I know the road ahead is going to be a long one, but I can actually see it paying off.  Which is something I've been doubting..so I've been needing this.  Seeing the improvement gives me the much needed kick in the butt to keep going.

Biggest Loser?

I've been going to the gym 2-4 nights a week.  I walk/jog a mile on the treadmill or jog/walk a mile on the elliptical.  Then I do my biking.  That varies on how long or how many miles but it's at least 10 miles.  Then I go and do my weights..arms/core, legs/core every other day.  I love weights!!  Then I will take on the elliptical or the bike again and just...GO!  

Cory worked 10 days straight so he had today off and also tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.  So, today I went to the abs/buns class I've been wanting to go to..but can't because it's at 5:30am or 4:30pm..which Cory is at work. Anyway..I loved it!  To be honest..my legs and arms are hurting more now than my butt or abs..but I loved the class and wish I could go every week!  Then I went out and did my legs/core weights and biked for 6 miles (slower than my norm..but man my legs were tired)!

Also..the gym is hosting a Biggest Loser Contest.  It starts January 14th.  We meet with a personal trainer once a week for 8 weeks plus whatever we do on our own.  There is a weekly weigh-in and prize awarded to the weekly winner.  The grand prize winner at the end wins $1,000!  I signed up tonight!  I hope this gives me some incentive to work even harder!!!

(and guess what..my boobs are losing inches..it's becoming blatantly obvious in my bra)! YEAH!

Thanksgiving....exercise??

Yep that's right..I exercised on Thanksgiving!  It wasn't the typical exercise..running..biking..lifting..etc.  I played sports!  Oh how I've missed it!  I've always considered myself an athlete.  I love playing sports, even when it wasn't a sport that came naturally to me.  I kinda just assumed I was "too fat" to really participate and enjoy it anymore..I was wrong!  I loved it and missed it so much!

In the morning we went and played volleyball for 2 hours.  Serving, setting, spiking, blocking, returning, digging.  I loved every minute of it!  I worked muscles in my legs and abs that I haven't reached yet doing my other exercise.  It's amazing how your body responds and how much of your body you use when you play sports!  I had never thought of it before..it was just something that came to me!  It was a blast..even the NASTY bruises I got on my knees from diving for the ball!

After we ate we played football!  Running, throwing, blocking, diving.  Fun!  (I feel on my bruised knees twice though..OUCH)!  It was another great not-workout workout!

I tell you what, I was SO sore!  My quads were super sore and most of the time I felt fine..but stairs..ouch..and Cory's parent's have lots of stairs in their house!  I was definitely feeling it in my quads and obliques for days.  It felt.....SO...GOOOOOD..though!  I really want to play more sports and instead of letting my weight stop me, I want to let the sports help my weight!  I can't wait to play again!

Still here!

Hello friends!  I am still here and still going..just too busy to update!

Weeks ago I saw that the local Lady Fitness was giving a free membership for the month of November.  I love the gym..well..I love lifting weights!  So I was so excited to soak up my free month!  On the 9th I went over there and started!  (okay..I actually signed up because they have a deal going for only $15 a month and since we figured we could swing that we decided I should do it).  I went that night and the next night, then I went M-Thursday the next week and I went last night.  I have been a bit bored with just the walking/jogging on the treadmill and elliptical.  

I had an appointment last Wednesday to meet with one of the trainers to just get my weight limit set and we were doing legs.  I almost cancelled it because I just didn't feel like going..but I was SO glad I did!  I went there and lifted SO much weight on my legs!  I realized all my weight amounts were the same I was doing in college and high school.  So I KNOW it's there..just hidden by a few inches of yuck!  So that made me really excited!  

Then last night I rode the bike 13 miles in 37 minutes.  Yep..that's right..a little less than 3 minutes a mile!  I have found a new love for the bike!  Now I just need to do some hand weights or something while I'm riding it!  (and I wouldn't mind a real bike for me to ride either)!!  

I still do exercise in the morning because I just LOVE working out in the morning..though that's not as consistent as my nighttime exercise!  I'm excited for this venture and I just pray that I'm not disappointed the next time I weigh myself!  

I am so glad that I have encouragement and advice from so many friends!  I love you all!  I am grateful for a loving husband who knows how bad I want this and is there to push me out the door sometimes, willing to be home alone with the kids every night, and happy and in love with me..no matter what!  I love you Husby!  I am thankful for my gym buddy!  She has so much confidence in me that I'm so glad she and Cory are there when I am having doubts!  I love you Nat!

(plus I went and got some pants yesterday..a size 18!  Okay..I know that's not MUCH..but it is a pant size down!)