Weigh In #12

Well, it's slightly smaller than I would have liked but can I really complain with a loss of 2.4 lbs? I'm finally over the 25lb mark and I'm so painfully close to the 10% mark. I've been trying to lose these last few pounds for 3 weeks now! But I feel like I'm over the hump and will blow by that 10% mark next week very easily. Quite honestly it's a little depressing to think that I only lost 3.2 lbs in the last 4 weeks but my measurements have changed quite a bit.

Difference since March 3
Bust: -2
Waist: -4
Hips: -1.5
Total: 7" gone!!

Difference since Oct. 07
Bust: -3.5
Waist: -7.5 (!!!)
Hips: -3.5
Total: That's 14.5 inches gone!!

Doesn't that put it all back into perspective?? And the good news is that my shape is becoming less of the awful block shape. Who knows, by the time I'm at goal, I may have a bit of an hourglass figure going on afterall! LOL

I also had my final fitness test from the Y challenge this morning. While I don't have all of my results on hand, I improved dramatically on everything and I was pleased with my results, especially of my laps around the track. They count in half laps and I had 22 last time and 29 this time and the main thing was that I ran the entire ten minutes.

Anyways, adios March... here's to a great April!

I'm going to run a 5K!

My experience on Thursday made me realize that it's not just a pipedream... it is something I could actually do! With a little help from google, I found the Mother's Day Run and really, could there possibly be a better day to do this on? To celebrate being a mom and setting a good and healthy example to my girls, to celebrate being a strong woman, to inspire and be inspired... I've decided that I really want to make this an annual tradition in my family. I've even talked my parents into joining in! I'm so excited about this!!! Any other Calgarians going to enter this race???

So, I'm officially in training. I dragged myself to the Y this afternoon... I was so tired that my eyes were just burning and wanting to nap but I knew I'd feel better once I got going. I'm on the third session of week 4 and on my first two intervals, I honestly thought I wouldn't make it. I was thinking wow, this sucks... it all really was a fluke! I can't actually run! But then, I got over the hump and felt better, running a total of 20 min on the treadmill and then did 20 laps of the track without stopping. Yep, that's 2K right there (in about 15 min though.. I'm not very fast). But there was no stopping and that's the important part.

Anyways, food-wise this weekend has not been ideal. I'm so bad about not tracking on weekends! But choices have not been too bad all in all so I'm not stressing about it.

Oh and NSV!! I bought some new workout capris from Walmart.. just some cheapies to get me through for a while because my others ones are sort of falling down as I run and they were size XL from the regular section! And get this, they are kind of loose! But they'll be great for sleeping in once they get too loose for running in. Hurray!

Me? In Good Shape???

I just got home from the Y and I can't quite decide if I want to have a silly grin plastered on my face or sob uncontrollably. So, I've been alternating between the two. I had the best workout that I've ever had in my life. I did week 4 session 2 of C25K and really played with the incline and the speed that I was running at. I really pushed myself and ran an extra 9 minutes (for a total of 25!), the last 3 minutes being at a speed of 6 mph instead of my normal range of 4.5-4.8.

After the treadmill, I typically go on the elliptical but today I still felt like running (something must have been in the air??). All of the treadmills were in use, so I decided to tackle the track. Let me just say that I hate the track. You run past every cardio machine in the place so everyone gets a good view of you as you go by. But, I decided I would just get over it and give it a shot because I have my final fitness test for the Y Challenge next Monday, which involves running/walking the track for 10 minutes. Let me also add that I have NEVER ran more than two and a half laps in a row. My original goal today was to run 5 laps. Well, I smashed that and kept going, 6, 7, 8, 9.... 10 laps! I slowed and walked for two and then ran five more. By the end of the 5th lap, I was already fighting back the tears, in complete disbelief at what I had accomplished. Then, as I was doing a cool down lap, a lady jogged by me and said "You are in really good shape!". HUH?!? What?!? Me? 240 pound me in good shape?? I must have had a look of disbelief on my face as I mumbled "Thanks" and she said "No, really. I've been watching you today and you've inspired me."

Wow. I'm still in awe that someone would say that to me. That someone would notice! I have spent so much of my life being the fat girl... thinking that everyone must think awful and untrue things about me and being intimidated away from the weight room... I am absolutely amazed what my body has acheived in a few short weeks of the C25K program.

So today, my 6 word sentence absolutely remains true:

I am stronger than I thought.

I hate thinking of titles!

I can never think of anything witty or funny... I like the idea of using a line from a song like Krissie does but I don't want to a copy-cat. And I'm overthinking this because titles really aren't that important are they? LOL On to other things...

Several blog friends have been doing the six word thingie (a 6 word sentence that sums up your life so far is what it is supposed to be I believe).Cammy posted hers yesterday("I learned in time to live") and I just love it! So after some thought, I came up with mine:

I am stronger than I thought.

That sums me up in so many different areas of my life both now and in the past. I've done things that I never imagined possible and survived through some bad stuff... and I'm stronger for it all.

Today has been a rest day exercise-wise and overall, it's been a great day. I took the girls to Coffee and Scream this morning, where we met with my cousin and her girls. Then we came home for lunch and naps and walked to the park this afternoon to play. It was really nice to have a whole day with them to do stuff seeing as T had no school due to Spring Break.

Food-wise... well, I'm over in points today by a few. I just couldn't resist eating the rest of the yogurt covered raisins from Easter. But I tracked them all and this is the first of any flex points I've used this week so it's all good. Sooooooooo yummy!

Lastly, I wanted to post the recipe for my spinach and feta omelet. I make this a few times a week, usually after a workout and have finally gotten the points down to a very reasonable amount. And it is really really delicious!! Even if you think you don't like spinach, you'll like this omelet!



Spinach and Feta Omelet

• 100 grams Omega 3 Break Free Eggs (or two large eggs if you prefer)
• 60 grams fresh spinach (could also use the frozen stuff, thawed)
• 4-5 small mushrooms (depends if you like mushrooms or not)
• 35 grams fat free ham, cut up into small pieces
• 30 grams feta cheese (I really like feta.. you could half this if you want to reduce points)
  
• pinch oregano
• 1 tsp. oil
  
• couple tablespoons water
  

1. Sautee sliced mushrooms in oil over medium heat in frying pan. Once they have started to cook, add in ham, spinach and water.
   
2. Cover so the spinach can steam and reduce heat a little bit. After a couple of minutes, remove the lid so excess water can evaporate.
3. Mix oregano into eggs and then add mixture into the frying pan. Sprinkle feta on top.
4. Let cook for about two minutes, then place in preheated oven under broiler. Remove when egg is fully cooked and top is slightly browned.

Total points: 5.5 (or 7.5 if you use real eggs)

Variations: Sometimes (when I have it on hand), I throw in some shredded frozen potato a bit before the mushrooms. This is really delicious and bulks up the omelet even more. I think 2/3 cup of the potato adds 1.5-2 points.

Healthy You Check In

There's nothing like a bright and sunny day to make me feel motivated and energetic! Our brief dusting of snow that we got yesterday morning is all gone and the sun is shining brightly. I'm thankful for this extra burst of energy today because it was my first day of doing C25K Week 4 (run 3 min, walk 90 sec, run 5 min, walk 3 min and repeat). There were a few moments where I didn't think I could quite do it but I managed... and then decided to run for an extra 4 minutes at the end to make my total an even 20 minutes. Then I went on to do 35 min on the elliptical..... Yes, my legs still feel like jello. But it was worth it cuz *I* actually ran for a total of 20 minutes today and I'm super proud of that. Tomorrow will be a rest day, which is good because I'm sure I'll be sore.

Well, I had a late start to my day so I'm going to cut this short so I can get some work done...

Today's menu: (I'll edit this later with any changes)
Breakfast: 1/4 grapefruit, 1 Fiber One Bar (They were on sale at Safeway yesterday and they are YUMMY!) - 3.5 points
Lunch: Spinach and Feta Omelet (I'll post the recipe for this tomorrow), 1/2 grapefruit - 5 points
Snack: Apple, crackers and cheese 5 points
Supper: Chicken quesadilla with salsa and sour cream 7 points
Snack: London Fog, 1 point popcorn, grapefruit - 4 points

Weigh in #11

Blah... well, I knew it would happen but that doesn't make me any happier about it. Yep, I gained this week. I'm up 1.2lbs. I don't need to wonder why it happened (too many slices of pizza, too many chocolate easter eggs, creamy scalloped potatoes, angel food cake with whipped cream and lets not forget the chocolate covered raisins, sick kids, the cold I'm just not kicking and not drinking enough water... it's a miracle 1.2 that I'm up quite honestly). I'm owning it and moving forward. In fact, I've been feeling a little down about my weight loss for the last two weeks and just not super motivated so maybe this gain is the motivation I need to get going again?

So, maybe it's time for the No Cheat Challenge again? Anyone else in? I'm going to plan out my menus and post them in my blog and also make sure that I track every morsel that enters my mouth (that's a biggy for me). It really was amazing to feel how just a couple days off track made me feel so crappy. I felt bloated and really fat... I didn't even want to wear my new jeans that actually fit and instead wore the baggy, falling off pair that look like crap on me now.

Anyways, I'm off to a good start for the week.. I just got home from the Y and did my last day of week 3 in the C25K. I'll start week 4 tomorrow! I got in a good 70 minutes of cardio so that should help me sweat out some of that dang Easter chocolate ;).

Today's Menu: (edited)

Breakfast: Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal, 4oz strawberries, 1/3 cup skim (2.5 points)
Lunch: Smart Ones Santa Fe Rice and Beans, grapefruit (7 points)
Snack: Thinsations 100 cal pack, Fiber One Bar (5 points)
Supper: Chicken Kabob, spinach & strawberry salad, potato wedges (7.5 points)
Snacks: London Fog (2)

24/29 (Edited: It's almost 8pm now and I feel stuffed cuz my spinach salad was huge but I'll probably add a little something in there to use up a few more points)

Happy Spring!

At long last, it is finally spring... and hopefully spring really will come now cuz I'm sick of snow! We are forcasted to have pleasant here this Easter weekend and I hope that is the case for you as well.

Seriously now, I feel like I'm in trouble. I cannot stop eating today... not sure why, I just want to munch! And with a big family Easter dinner coming up, I cannot afford to use all my flex points just yet. I was going to have salmon (with yummy feta and oregano) for dinner but there is no way I can spare 9 points for a 7oz piece! But maybe if I cut it in half....

Anyways, exercise-wise I'm doing good. I earned another 8 APs today - session 2 of Week 3 C25K + a some extra jogging, followed by 35 min on the elliptical. Maybe that's why I'm so freaking hungry today?? It could also be the week before TOM so that could also be a contributing factor. Regardless, it sucks and I just wish it would stop. Any tips on how to get rid of the munchies????

Healthy You Check In

So what do you think? Can YOU see a difference?

For some reason this morning, I am very excited about spring. It's not even that it was so warm outside this morning, but the sun was shining and it just made me happy. The only thing is I have the nagging reminder that March 20 - the first day of spring - would also be my 8th anniversary. I guess technically it still is because we aren't divorced yet? But the upside to that is that I am probably the healthiest I've been since I got married both physically and emotionally. I feel like I'm climbing out of the dark hole I fell into on March 20, 2000 and I'm peeking out into the bright sunlight and it feels great!

Anyways, even though I didn't lose anything this week, I'm okay with that. My physical endurance has improved in leaps and bounds and that is just as important.

These are the goals I set out to achieve at the beginning of this month:

• Hit my 10% goal by March 15 (4 lbs to go!!) Didn't happen but I'm sure it will this week
  
• Get in 3 C25K workouts each week Didn't quite happen last week.. I tried! K wouldn't have nothing to do with babysitting at the Y and they came and got me = end of workout
  
• Do 1000 minutes of cardio in the month of March Well, I'm halfway as of today!
  

Weigh In #10 & need some running advice

Well, on a week when I was nearly positive I would gain, I'm happy to report that I maintained. Of course I would have preferred to have a loss and reach my goals, but I'm proud of the NSVs that I've had in the last week.

Remember how I wrote last week that running for 10 min must have been a fluke? Well, it wasn't cuz I did it again today and honestly felt like I could have kept going but someone was waiting for the machine. Today really was a great workout.. I did C25K week 2 day 3, ran ten more minutes, then did the ellipitcal for 30. I have plans to start week 3 of C25K tomorrow (I know, no rest day but I'm trying to get back on schedule). But now I'm thinking that since I'm already getting comfortable running 10 min, should I:

1- skip ahead in C25K a few weeks
2- forget C25K and just do my own running thing
3- continue where I am but add some extra running in at the end

Any advice?

Weekend Schmeekend

Well, I've pretty much sucked this weekend. Didn't count pounts, didn't get to work out (I tried yesterday but baby K wouldn't stop crying in babysitting at the Y so they came and got me after 10 min.), ate a few too many easter cookies and a bunch of pasta tonight. Oh, and a slice of Grandma's famous lemon merigue pie this afternoon. Ugh. So now tonight I feel gross. My stomach actually hurts. I wonder if it's truly from the bad food though or if it is more of a mental thing? It doesn't really matter... all I know is that I'm thrilled that tomorrow is Monday and first thing in the morning I'll be sweating it out at the Y and back on track with eating.

The unfortunate thing is that weigh in is also tomorrow... and it's also the day I had as my goal to reach my 10%. Since I'm 99.9% sure that isn't going to happen and I'm mentally preparing myself for a gain, my thoughts have turned to WHY I chose to go off program and to eat like this this weekend. Because yes, it was a choice. Sometime Friday afternoon my thoughts sort of went like this: "I'm so close to losing 25 pounds... hmmm that's pretty good. I've done so well, and I'm sick of Subway, I deserve to have Greek tonight." And then on Saturday it was more like "I ate a decent breakfast and lunch... Dad's making bbq'd hamburgers... it would be so much easier just to eat that than make something else...". Today was more like "I've been screwing up all weekend, I might as well enjoy... Yes, pass me some of that lemon meringue pie!" Blah, well, you get the picture.

I'm also wondering if even just a tiny part of me is battling the ol' self saboutaging attitude. After all, 24 lbs is good, right? I might as well slow down and take my time with this weight loss, right?

NONONONONO! 24 pounds is good, but it's not GOOD ENOUGH. I'm not settling. I'm going all the way baby!

Major NSV!!!

I don't know if you all had to do this, but I remember back in grade 10 phys ed class, we had to run for ten minutes. I could NEVER do it and always ended up walking. This was even when I was super into martial arts and should have been fit. Well, today I did my Couch to 5K session. I'm in week two, day two so that means that I alternated running for 90 seconds and walking for two minutes six times. After I did my final run and five minute cool down walk, a strange feeling came over me. I wanted to run. More. I entered 5 more minutes into the timer on the treadmill thinking that I would just see how long I could actually run and then walk the rest. The C25K podcast had ended and the good music on my mp3 player had started up. The next thing I knew, the five minutes had ended.... and I, Ms. I DON'T run, was STILL running. I frantically pushed at the buttons on the treadmill to increase my time by a few more minutes so that my groove didn't get interupted. A few minutes later, I'm STILL good and STILL running! So again, I increase the minutes. Well, when it was all said and done, I ran for TEN freaking minutes!!!!!! And this was after my C25K session. Seriously now, I have no idea what came over me and I'm already doubting that I'll ever be able to do it again (now really, how silly is it of me to even think that??) but man, it felt good. I. Ran. I'm going to be a runner. One of those people that I've always looked at in awe as they run the entire 30 minutes on the treadmill. That will be me.

Reasons to Lose Weight

I don't have much to say tonight so I thought I'd try and come up with my list.

1- My kids. I'm the only parent they have so I NEED to be around for them.
2- To get my confidence back
3- To not turn 30 and still be fat
4- To be a yummy mummy LOL
5- So at some point I'll feel like I'm hot enough to date
6- To shop wherever I want instead of being limited to about 2 stores in the mall
7- To have more energy
8- To not be the fat one in the family
9- So I can set a healthy example for my kids
10- So I can fit comfortably in airplane seats
11- So I can take my kids swimming (they love it) without feeling so embarassed
12- So I can fit into the sexy black dress hanging in my closet from when I was 19 and felt like I was all that LOL
13- To be skinnier than my mom (haha)
14- So that if I ever see my ex again, he'll be kicking himself for what he lost
15- So I can be more agile and flexible like I was when I was younger


Hmmm that's all I can think of for now. If you haven't made your list yet, do it!!

Weight In #9 - Early Healthy You Check In

Better early then late, right?

First things first, I'm a happy girl today!! I weighed in -2.0 lbs today, which takes me officially out of the 240s!!!!!!! The only time I remember being in the 230s in the last 8 or so years was a very brief visit in Fall of 2006 at my 6 weeks post partum check up after baby K was born. I'm one of the weird people who tend to gain weight when breastfeeding, not lose so it was a very brief visit indeed. I'm also so close to the -25lbs mark that I can taste it... and for me, that's another milestone in itself. Whenever I've tried to lose weight before, I've never lost 25 lbs. I got to about 23-24 lbs once, but never 25. And I will do it this time, probably within the next few days. I'm also SOCLOSE to my 10% goal (2 lbs to go!). My original plan was to hit it by the 15th, but seeing as that's not my official WI day, it can wait until next Monday. I plan to take some progress pics to celebrate the occasion.

As you can all read, the title of my blog is "This is my Year". I know for a fact that it is. The most amazing thing has happened within me this time around - I don't feel like quitting or giving up. When I screw up (and trust me, I do often), I'm never ready to throw in the towel. I'm just not quitting. I don't feel like quitting. I don't even think about quitting. It's just not an option. Even though I wasn't able to work out much in February (or yet this month really), I'm not giving up. And maybe this doesn't seem like much to some of you but this is ME - Holly - the ultimate quitter. In the past, any minor thing would be an excuse not to eat right or not to exercise. Not anymore. I cannot even begin to explain how good it feels to be successful. To stick to my goals. To believe in myself. To finally know and accept that yes, I can do it. And if I can do it, anyone can.

Well, the other reason I'm a happy girl is because finally my election job has come to an end! We finished packing up the office today. Life can get back to normal now. Although, I think in a sense, I will miss the job. I feel slightly lost in regards to my employment because I've got to figure out what I want to do next. Do I look for a job? Do I continue with my work at home stuff? And it's also a little bit of wait and see because I sent in my application last week for nursing at MRC and I could potentially end up going to school full time in the fall. But first things first, I've got to catch up with some things that I've let slide for the last month or so and get re-organized. And maybe squeeze in a pedicure somewhere too :)

As far as my March goals go...

• Hit my 10% goal by March 15 (4 lbs to go!!) I'm on my way! 2 lbs left
  
• Get in 3 C25K workouts each week Even though I've got a bad cold, I put baby K in the stroller and squeezed in two sessions this weekend. I start week 2 tomorrow morning.
  
• Do 1000 minutes of cardio in the month of March Well, I'm at 215 minutes. But work is done now so I'll have more time for the Y.
  

Today's menu:
Breakfast: 3.5 points
WC Oatmeal, 1/3 cup skim, 1/2 banana, 2.5 oz strawberries 0 points for all those strawberries too!

Lunch: 7 points
Mr. Sub small ham sub w/lots of veggies, small bag Baked Lays

Dinner: 10 points
4oz steak, 40z baby potatoes and 5 spears asparagus roasted in 2tsp olive oil
2 tbsp light sour cream

Dessert: 3.5 points
grapefruit, fat free vanilla pudding w/2tsp slivered almonds

Snacks: 4.5 points
London Fog (1 cup skim)
Annie's hunny bunnies

28.5/29

Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm doing my best to feel happy tonight... not being completely successful because on my desk sits a pile of work that I brought home with me. Oh well, trying not to let it get me down... it was a beautiful day today! I picked the girls up from the dayhome a few minutes early and we went for a walk before dinner. They were tired and I ended up carrying little K most of the way but it was still nice to get our for a bit.

We have a busy weekend planned, as usual. I'd really love to squeeze in at least one trip to the Y but not sure if it will happen or not.

Here's today's menu:

Breakfast: 3.5 points
The usual: oatmeal, 1/3 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana

Lunch: 6 points
Eating Right Potato Leek soup (from Safeway - really yummy!)
3 slices Wasa Fiber Rye crackers (3=1 point!!)
2 wedges Laughing Cow light
6 mini dill pickles
1 turkey pepperoni stick

Stupid snack at work: 4 points
Stupid stupid cookies that were just sitting there while I was bored

Snack while cooking dinner: 2 points
2 tbsp red pepper hummus w/2 oz carrots and 2oz cucumber and 1 orange

Dinner: 8 points
PC Blue Menu cheese cannelloni
1 whole wheat pita brushed with 1 tsp olive oil, sprinkled w/ 8 grams parmesan

Dessert: 2.5 points
The usual fat free vanilla pudding w/tsp slivered almonds

Snack: 4.5 points
London Fog (sipping it right now actually)
Annnie's Organic Hunny bunnies yum yum ;) these were supposed to be for the kids but I don't want to share!

30.5/30 (but I had 2 activity points so it's all good)

So, I really made an effort to at least get one oil serving in. But when I ate my pita, I realized that I really do not like the taste of olive oil. I would have much preferred a tiny bit of butter on it instead of the oil!!

Overall though, not too bad... again a little low on dairy and high in sodium (especially my lunch) but I did drink a ton of water this afternoon. I'm also a little proud of myself how I've curbed that crazy hungry feeling I usually have when I first get home and I'm making the girl's food first (I usually don't get to eat my dinner until K is in bed so around 7!). I get the veggies and the hummus ready first and just munch on it while I'm feeding them. That way I'm not tempted to snitch bites of their stuff.

Anyhow... till next time!

Blaaaaah

Yep, that's how I feel tonight. I've got a bit of a cold so my throat hurts and I've got some of that yummy phlegm action going on (sorry, TMI) and work was extremely monotonous today so that is probably the source of my blah-ness tonight. Oh, and I have this bad (?) habit of weighing myself every morning before my shower and I was up about a pound over what I weighed in at on Monday. I don't understand why either because I've been within my points each day. I've been trying to blame it on water retention and not think about it anymore but it's been knawing at me all day. I really want to meet my 10% goal by the 15th and gaining anything this week, or actually not having a semi-decent loss would probably prevent me from doing that. But I am extremely on track today... no extra bites anywhere in between and I will try my hardest to stay that way.

Here's today's menu... I haven't posted my menus in about a week and need to get back into doing it.

Breakfast: 3.5 points
Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal w/1/3 cup skim and 1/2 banana

Lunch: 7 points
Mr. Sub small ham sub w/lots of veggies
small bag baked lays

Snack while cooking girls dinner: 1 point
2 oz baby carrots and 2 oz cucumber with 2tbsp hummus

Supper: 8 points
1/2 serving Eating Right (from Safeway) Black Bean Soup (kinda yucky hence I only ate half of it)
Chicken Quesadilla (1 multigrain flatout wrap, 2 oz chicken breast with taco seasoning, 30g 2% shredded cheese, sprinkle of green onions) - sooooo good!!
2 tbsp salsa and 2 tbsp light sour cream

Dessert: 2.5 points
fat free chocolate pudding w/tbsp slivered almonds

Snacks: 4.5
London Fog (1 cup skim, 2 tbsp sugar free Starbucks vanilla syrup, Tazo earl grey tea)
1 pouch Annie's Organic Hunny Bunnies

Not sure what else... that's only 23/30

I'm so not good about my oils! Lacking a little on dairy too. But as Carolyn would say ... Meh. ;)

Healthy You Check In - I Lost my Daughter!!!!!

Well, the weight equivalent to her anyways. She weighs 22 lbs and I have lost a hair over that now. Wow. As I packed her out to the car this morning, I couldn't help but feel amazed that I used to pack that much more weight all over my body. No wonder I feel lighter now when I run. I can't imagine how it will feel at my goal weight without this big stomach of mine in the way. Very free, I would imagine.

With the Alberta election done and over with (BOOOOO PCs!!!), I can finally relax just a bit. I was at work until 11 last night so we aren't starting until noon today. This means that for the first time in 3.5 weeks, I was able to get to the Y this morning. It felt so good! I have decided to restart Couch to 5K from week one again as I was only just beginning week 2 when I stopped. But doing it this morning was not nearly as hard as it was last time around so that was good. However, even though it FELT easier and I was not as tired, I did notice that my heart rate was up higher than before. Maybe having the beginnings of a cold coming on had something to do with that though? Not sure. The other thing I noticed was that my boobs were bouncing WAY too much. It actually hurt and I resorted to running with my hands clasped under my chest. I wore the same bra as last month so what gives?? Maybe it's too big and doesn't provide the same amount of support? So that leads me to ask: What's your favourite sports bra? I'm about a 40(?) or 42 D so not something I can just find at any old store.

Anyhow, here's some new goals for a new month:

• Hit my 10% goal by March 15 (4 lbs to go!!)
• Get in 3 C25K workouts each week
• Do 1000 minutes of cardio in the month of March

WI #8

Hard to believe I've been at this 8 weeks. It's actually gone really fast. Anyhow, just a super quick post to say that I lost 3.8lbs this week!!!!!!!! To reach my 10% goal by March 15, I need to lose 4lbs in a little under two weeks. Totally doable!

Shopping still sucks

My body shape is a block. Do clothing designers really think that all women have that oh-so-desired hourglass shape? Well, I don't. I have no waist. I have no hips. I'm just straight from the bust down. This makes finding pants that don't bag out in my hips really tough. Jeans either fit me in the waist but look all baggy around my thighs/hips or fit in the thighs and are tight on the waist. I know, I know, every woman has a complaint about how their body fits into clothing but I went shopping this afternoon to try and find some pants to wear to work that I wouldn't have to worry about falling off of me and couldn't find anything. I did end up buying a pair of jeans (which I can't wear to work) but I'm still not completely thrilled with them. The good news is however that they are size 18, not 20!! (Non Scale victory, right???) And honestly, they are a touch big but I couldn't do up the 16s. So, I guess I should just focus on that instead of my shopping frustrations. Maybe once I get skinny I'll be confident enough to wear dresses all the time and won't need to worry about stupid pants.

I did some unofficial measurements today as well... I've been tracking them in sparkpeople because I can't find a spot on WW online to do it. Is there one there? Anyways, I'm down 0.5" around my neck (never would have thought of measuring my neck but what the hey..), 1" around my bust, 1" at my waist and 0.5" at my hips for a total of -3" since 4 weeks ago. I'm only down 8lbs since then but hey, it's progress. I don't have my official starting measurements (didn't take any) but back in October, I weighed 262 (I was 263.6 when I started Jan. 7) and I am down 4" on my waist, 2" on my hips, 1.5" on my neck and 1.5" on my bust for a total of 9" since then. Ok, now I feel better.
I also just did volume one from the new pilates dvd box set that I bought the other day. It started off with a 20 min walking pilates session and then 20 minutes of pilates exercises on the floor. Since it was my first time doing pilates, I really didn't know what to expect. I will say that I much preferred the walking pilates to the Walk Away the Pounds dvds that I have. I definetly felt the burn in my thighs and I think it's because she instructs you to keep your knees bent a little in certain movements to simulate walking uphill. The pilates part of the dvd was good too. They move quite quickly so I think it will take a few more times of doing the exercises for me to totally keep up. Lots of good ab stuff and I have a feeling I'll be sore tomorrow.

On the food front this weekend, I think I've done OK. I haven't tracked because quite honestly, I haven't had the chance. I worked a really long day yesterday, at the office until 7:30 pm and then at home getting some church stuff ready. Today, I've been trying to catch up on some errands but we did take the kids out for a walk this afternoon. It was so fun to be able to run and chase T and then run ahead and have her chase me. I felt so light and free and just wanted to run more! If it weren't for my too-big jeans that kept practically falling off, I would have. It got me thinking that once work slows down in the next week or so, I'll throw K in the jogging stroller and after we drop off T at preschool, I'll re-start me Couch to 5k sessions outside. Our neighbourhood is very hilly so that should add some extra challenge. I can't wait to get working out again... plus that should jump up my weight loss again. Not that 8lbs in a month is all that bad. I just really want to get out of the 240s and reach my 10%. Speaking of that, weigh in is tomorrow. My main goal is to hit the 20 lbs loss mark. I'm pretty sure I have (I cheated and weighed myself Friday and I was there) but one never knows for sure.

Anyhow, tomorrow will be a super long day for me seeing it is election day! If you are in Alberta, make sure you get out and vote!!! I have to be in the office all day and then pick up the kids from the babysitters, feed them, put K to bed and then head back to work so I can be there to enter in the results when the counts from the polls start coming in. We'll have media representation in our office and everything so it should really be quite exciting.

Man I've babbled alot tonight! Take care everyone!