I'm ok with it.

Well, I'm here with an update. I was down about 20 and then back up 2lbs and so forth. My body is doing the up and down dance so today it's about 20lbs gone.  I know that's not too shabby but it's coming off a bit slower this time around. I know it's because I haven't been working as hard because this time I decided to take it easier on my body. I worked myself so hard last time. I mean at about 9 weeks postpartum I was training to run a 5k and my body was paying the price. I had lost 39lbs by 4 months postpartum and 27lbs by about 9-10 weeks postpartum. I was losing weight but not gaining muscle and I was in serious pain all the time. I was pushing my body too hard and my pelvis injury was not healing well. And not too mention the love I did not have for myself or my body...I didnt feel worth it...not one bit!

So what's changed this time around is I love my body even at this weight. It's not my ideal weight but my life is good and I am a beautiful woman! I love myself enough to take it much slower, enjoy my baby, allow myself my babymoon and just love life!

And I want to lose weight but I also want to gain muscle mass not lose it as I lose fat.  I want to let my pelvis heal and not be in pain all the time!

And I find it so hard to hate on myself when my husband of 20 years is constantly telling me I'm beautiful, hot, pretty, etc.. That's what he sees when he looks at me and how can I see anything else?

So, it will all come off. 30lbs to go. In time...and I'm ok with that!!

      

A before for the after...

Wanted to put a before picture here. Wish I had one from soon after birth when I began working towards getting all the pregnancy weight off but this is from today.

I weigh in again tomorrow and will update with my weight loss.

so current pic..

Down the scale goes!!

April 12th will be my baby girl's 2 month birthday! And I am at 8 weeks postpartum; 22.4lbs down!! YAY!!

Only 30lbs to go...boy, that is kind of discouraging to me. Seems like so much! So, to keep me motivated I set little goals. Like 5% or 10% of my weight or something like 5lbs or 10lbs, etc.. I have to lose 1.4lbs and I will be at my second goal and then I'll set another one. Thinking it will be 10lbs.
Makes losing go much more quickly...well, not really but it sure does seem like it! And HEY! whatever works, right?!

I am having heart palpitations often...I believe them to be due to hormonal changes going on in my body being postpartum and also from breastfeeding. They are annoying!

Until next time!!....

A neat website!

I found a neat website that might be beneficial for someone.

https://www.fitwatch.com/tools/workout-planner

Check it out!

On my end I am down 16.8lbs as of my weigh in on Tuesday. So 36 to go! I know I have lost a lot more in the past but it seems like a huge mountain to climb...UGH! I'll do it but I know it's going to take some time and I want it right now. Guess I'm relearning patience AGAIN!

I did get in 3 days of aerobic walking last week but this week I haven't gotten it done. I suppose after last week and my pelvis injury taking a break and giving my body more time to heal postpartum is a good thing.

Until next time!  

A new weight loss journey....

I'm back after giving birth 6 weeks ago to a beautiful baby girl!

I have started doing the one mile Walk Away the Pounds DVD. It's my starting place. I have to take it slowly because of my complete pubic bone separation.

I did it for the 1st time yesterday and will do it again today. It's about a 15-16 minute mile with side steps, knee lifts and leg lifts. Also there is arm movement and use of a stretchy band in some.

I am also following Weight Watchers. I started back with WW at 5 days postpartum and to date have lost 14.6 lbs.

until next time! 

Primal Blueprint Challenge Day 1-4

OOPS! I missed posting on day 1-3 but I am here to now to play catch up.

Day 1- Excited to begin! I did well..watching my carbs using a carb counter app.

Day 2: Not too bad. Spent the afternoon at a homeschool field day during the afternoon which means I wasn't home and too busy to think about food.  I am realizing that not having sweets is very hard! Had 2 lean turkey patties with my Zoodles.

Day 3- Even better except the pounding headache I had. Carb detoxing perhaps?  I make a low carb high protein shake at night the last two nights. This has been a huge help with my sugar cravings. There is no sugar in them just lots of good stuff!

Day 4- Woke up feeling a bit sick to my stomach. Not sure if it's due to the challenge or something else. Each evening I make a big helping of Zoodles with onions, peppers, tomatoes etc.. Mixing it up a little bit each time. I put taco seasoning and some sea salt on it and saute it up. I use either coconut butter or oil to saute it in. I also add some cheese and a few TB of sour cream. YUM!
Last night I sauteed a new type of squash that I picked up at the Asian store. I do not recall what it's called either. It was ok. I wouldn't get it again. I really like zucchini or summer squash best for Zoodles.  Trying to get meat in for protein. So lean turkey patties or beef.

I know some people don't eat dairy with Paleo and some do. I enjoy dairy so I chose to keep it in during my challenge.

I keep my carb intake between 50-100g which according to Mark Sisson in the Primal Blueprint is a healthy amount to consume and will bring about weight loss. And I felt this was a good amount for a breastfeeding mama (me!) after doing much reading.  

Ok! Oh and when weighing in yesterday after 3 days I am down 2lbs already.  

21 day Primal Blueprint Challenge!!

Well, tomorrow I begin the 21 day Primal Blueprint Challenge. I intend to blog about my challenge each of the 21 days. My struggles and successes. Hope to post about more success than struggles.

To learn more about this challenge go here .

Still chugging on...

I'm still here chugging along.

I have to admit that while I am not going crazy I have bad days and eat badly but I just get back on that horse and do better the next day.

The best thing I have done recently is learn to go a little more easy on myself. Each day is a chance to start again and do better. I am very thankful for that!  We all need start overs and new beginnings.

I am holding steady and not gaining and although I do want to lose a bit more like most of us do, I am alright where I am. I am a beautiful woman right now right here. I work at being and staying healthy and living a full life.

  

Updated weight loss pics..

Going to put some updated photos here for y'all..

These were taken yesterday..

And me in 2007 - early 2008 right before I began my journey

I love Weight Watcher's!! And thank you Father!!

Since these pictures I have lost about 100lbs!!

64.2LBS lost and gone forever and added health!

Still on my journey! I joined Planet Fitness..went one day last week and then got the flu which then turned into Pneumonia! I plan on starting again on Monday; going 4-5 times a week and working out for 1 hour.

Still debating if I want to become a runner or not? I just don't know if I want to run that badly?! I love walking and riding my bike...

I have also added to my daily caloric intake green smoothies. For health and to help me get back to my optimal health after having all that junk!

I am now down to 64.2lbs as a total loss! Which means I have 30.8lbs left to lose to reach my ultimate goal. But the last mini goal I set for myself is only .8oz. away! So close I can taste it!!

Here are a few of my healthy life changes..

 Almond Meal/Buckwheat Flour Gluten Free Pancakes

 Fruit and Celery Smoothie

 Varied Fruit, Almond Butter & Plain Yogurt for added protein and Spinach Smoothie

What are you adding to your day to increase your health?? 

And the reason is.....

I decided to take a few weeks off over Thanksgiving. I did fine..I went up two and then back down two lbs depending on the day and time I weighed.

So I am back on track...mostly....and have decided to start running. It has been two weeks. The first week I ran a little over a mile 3 days. The second week I did the same but I had to walk for a minute or two..I don't understand why the 2nd week was so much harder?

I laid in bed last night thinking on all of this and do I really want to run? Is it important to me? Do I have to run to accomplish a goal I have set for myself or is it something else? I am not sure these questions have been answered.

I do know that I am stuck at 60lbs lost and my body will not budge! I know my eating could always improve and maybe that would do it?

One thing I am doing is fasting from sugar; baked goods and candy etc.. I am allowing myself honey in my tea and latte's. I usually go for sugar free with those anyway. My fast begins today!

And I am still nursing two of my babies so perhaps my body is hanging onto this weight for that reason. I haven't experienced this before so I am simply looking for any answer as to why.

I come back to the real reason I lost all that I have and am trying to lose more. Why I exercise and am doing a sugar fast. And that is because I want to be healthy! I want to be healthy for myself, my love, and my children. I want to have a long life and have it being healthy and able to enjoy it.  

And daily I remind myself, " You have come a long way baby!" 60lbs isn't too shabby!! 

A few healthy lunch ideas!

Hello fellow Losers,,weight loss that is! :) I hope you are all still on the road towards a healthier you!

I wanted to share two yummy foods I have eaten in the last several weeks that are low in calories and yummy! Don't forget good for you too!

Zucchini Pizza!

This is simple! You slice the zucchini into rounds and then put pasta sauce, cheese, basil or oregano on each slice. Then place into the oven on broil for just a few minutes. Remove from the oven and enjoy!   My children loved this! Works great for a yummy lunch.

Veggie Fry
This next dish takes a little more time but is so worth it.
Chop as much onion as you want into slices along with zucchini and any other veggie you like. Place 1 T olive oil into a skillet and heat. Once the oil is hot add the onion and allow it to soften. Once the onion is cooked add the rest of your veggies. Add some spices such as basil, oregano, seasoning salt, etc or even a dash of worcestershire sauce. Cook until your veggies are tender. Place onto a plate and top with grated cheese. For less calories skip adding the cheese. It's still just as delicious!
 

Let me know if you try either of these dishes! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Happy eating!!

Catching up & 60lbs gone and lost forever!!

It's been awhile since my last post. Time gets away from me!

I am still chugging along. Things are moving more slowly now that I don't have as much to lose. If I exercise 5-6 times a week I lose more. I am trying to get that many days of exercising in but life gets in the way some days and it doesn't happen.

I am so thankful for every lb gone. It's such a wonderful feeling!

To understand what one lb of fat is like pick up a lb. of butter or a 5lb bag of sugar. How about a 10lb bag of potatoes? Imagine carrying that around all day? It would certainly zap your energy very quickly!

I am thankful that the Father has given me the endurance to keep going even after bad weeks and days. I have been able to get back on that horse and ride on! I haven't quit even though I want to after I have a bad day or three.. I know I don't have that strength inside myself...I haven't been as strong in other areas. I know where that strength comes from...Him and Him alone!

My current weight loss is 60lbs gone and lost forever!!!!!!!!!!! What should my treat be?? Give me some ideas!!  

If a picture could speak...

My weight loss journey to date..

1 week postpartum

1 month postpartum

5 weeks postpartum

6 weeks postpartum

2 months postpartum

 3 1/2 months postpartum

4 months postpartum

4 1/2 months

5 3/4 months postpartum

 And the present...8 months postpartum..57lbs lost and gone forever!!!!

If my weight loss pictures could speak what would they say?

I hope it would be this:  You can do it!! You can!! You can get healthy! You can lose weight and be the best YOU that you can be!! You can change your life! My desire is to encourage you and to inspire you!

I am not stopping here. I am still going and still losing weight...there is a number in my future where I will maintain but I'm not there yet.

Come on!! Join me!!

Exercise

I took a hiatus from exercising and am now getting back into my routine.

I experience burn out so taking a break helps me feel refreshed and ready to begin working towards my weight loss goal.

So, I am starting with a 1 mile aerobic walk (Leslie Sansone) with weights so I am getting strength training into my workout. Then I do 15-30 minutes of Yoga.

I am shooting for every day for a total of a 7 day week of exercising. Then once I have worked up to my usual of 4-5 miles I will go down to 4-5 times a week.

I want to start attending the meetings for weight watchers instead of just doing it online. I think the support will be beneficial. But to be honest I am struggling with going. I don't want anyone to know my weight..and I keep thinking once I hit this weight I will go..Silly? Ya, probably but it's what I'm feeling...

I need to pray more about this and just get on over myself!!
A recent picture..

Me with my baby girl Avlee


  

Still here!

I have been on vacation but we're home now and I am back with an update. I have lost a total of 55lbs now and all of my pregnancy weight gain!!

I tried on a pair of pre pregnancy jeans and they fit! That felt pretty good!!

I am still working on losing more and chugging along. I am hoping that by the time my baby girl is 1 I have lost all that I want and I am just maintaining.

I am learning..

Today is my weekly weigh in day and after weighing in I have discovered I have lost a total of 51lbs!!! And I have 4lbs of pregnancy weight gain left to lose. Then I plan to lose a bit more until I begin maintaining my loss.

Yesterday I went to Target and tried on clothes. It's hard for me because all I still see in the mirror so often is that person who is much bigger than I am now. So I sort of have to force myself to go smaller with my clothes sizes.

This is what I did...I took some clothes to the dressing room. A shirt and two summer dresses. I put them on and WOW!! it was then I realized how much smaller I am and how cute I looked and felt in the dresses! That's a special feeling for us ladies! feeling beautiful...every woman should feel beautiful!!

I was able to purchase a dress and pair of pants in much smaller sizes...and they were on clearance. (the best part!!)

I guess I'm learning..it's hard but I am slowly accepting that I am smaller and I have lost a lot...

One piece of clothing at a time..

Weighed in and...

Well another weigh in day has passed and another exciting announcement from me!

I have lost 49lbs! 49 lbs gone and lost forever!!! So close to 50lbs now and very excited!!
And only 1 lb away from my 3rd weight loss goal and only 6lbs from ALL of my pregnancy weight gain being gone!!! WAHOO!!!!!

I had to come back to edit this post and add some recent pictures of me..

Going with the flow. Yes I (you) can!

Well, this:

This week my workouts will look like this: today a 2 mile, tomorrow 3 miles, Friday a 4 mile, Saturday 5 miles, Sunday back to 2 miles and so forth

is now a 2 mile with weights and last night a 3 mile walk with boosts...I think I always sabotage myself when I plan a routine ahead of time. I guess it works for me to go with the flow when it comes to getting my workout in. 

As long as I get in 4-5 days a week it's all good! 

As far as my eating I am doing really well this week! I have consumed less weekly point allowance and pretty much keeping to my daily point allowance! Yay me!

More of my clothes are fitting me. I haven't tried on any of my pre pregnancy pants yet..I wanted to wait until all the weight was off...gives me the jitters just thinking about it! 

I need to add some more recent pictures...I will try to get to that this week! 

I will leave you with a poem I really like!

It Couldn't Be Done
By Edgar A. Guest

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

Are you right here in this moment? Are you believing the lie that you can't do it? Yes you can! You can do it! That change is only a moment away! 

Overcomer!

I wake up each morning to the wonderful aromas of baked goods coming from the kitchen. My children have assigned days they cook and they make some very tasty breakfasts. Cooking to them is a work of art.

Today my son Quentin (12 yrs old) made Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins. I am sure you can imagine how tasty these smelled!

It's hard! Very hard..so my trick is when I am feeling particularily strong I will allow myself one small bite just to taste them. When I am not feeling even the tiny bit of strength to resist them I stay away! Out of the kitchen...FAR AWAY!

Food is a source of temptation for pretty much all of us!

 So what can we do?  Well, finding little things that help us handle the food monster, having more healthy snacks and food on hand. Allowing ourselves those yummy treats here and there. Not depriving ourselves which leads to binging.

Find ways that work for you! You can be an overcomer!!  Let me share this song with you! You are an OVERCOMER!!