Amy's Week 13

Nothing to report...didn't lose anything so I'm not really on my way to 163 by next Wednesday...We'll see how the New Year pans out. OH DEAR!!

I'm SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO stinking excited to be in Utah with my wonderful family. I can't wait to see everyone, especially little Lola Joy. Sometimes it makes me really sad that I can't be a part of the festivities and the See's Candies eating...I should probably be grateful for that part. Someday I'll be closer and be able to partake.

Love, Love, Love you all. Have a very Happy Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

Becky's week 12 & 13

During week 12 (as you know, Amy) my sister Julie had her baby!  I went up north to join in the celebration and GIRL! did I celebrate.  Donuts, Cafe Rio, Dr. Pepper, LOTS of See's Candy and just lots of yummy food in general.  I could not resist.  Usually, looking back I'm so disappointed in myself...not this time.  I just let loose and enjoyed the LOLA JOY festivities. She is so worth it!

I gained one pound - 183.8.  Not bad...I thought it would be worse, but not progress in the weight LOSS direction.  I also thought that the poundage needed time to register and I would be much heavier by the end of week 13.

Week 13 - 181.9.  Lost almost 2 lbs.  That's good.  It was Nathan's birthday this week and the Pepsi Christmas party so we got to eat out twice.  Both times I saved half my meal for the next day's lunch.  That was so I wouldn't over eat...but I still felt SO full with even eating just half.  Whenever I do that is makes me wonder how and why I usually finish my meals in restaurants.

Can't wait for Christmas!!!!

Can't wait to see YOU Amy!

Amy's Week 12

Lost nothing...(well .6) and I have no one to blame except myself!! I didn't do a whole lot this week. In fact, I didn't do anything. Don't get me wrong, there was plenty to do; I just didn't do anything that resembled working out.

And I'm ok with that! I'm proud of all the loss I've accomplished so far....it has been HARD and it feels good.

There are just under two weeks left before I leave for the Christmas break and I'd like to lose at least three more pounds before we leave. So, hopefully at the end of the second week I can say I'm weighing in at 163, but for now 166 will have to do.

"If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much." - Donald H. Rumsfeld

Amy's Week 11

Welp, this morning I am proud to say that 15 lbs are dead and gone. I'm not very excited about the next 15 lbs though. The last five pounds I've lost have been extremely hard to shake off, so we'll see how these next several pounds go.

I'm looking forward to the time I get to spend with my family this Christmas because I don't think I'll really be too focused on weight loss. I know I'll be conscious of it, but I won't be ridged about it. In just three short weeks, I'll be surrounded by the Fam!!! I'm so very excited.

"Live today as if yesterday never happened and live today so it won't be tomorrow." - Anonymous

Does that make sense??

Don't let the fat win...Becky's Week 10 & 11

Week 9 I was 180.8.  Week 10, which was Thanksgiving week and I didn't post but did weigh...184! I ate a lot...ok! 

Week 11 (today) 182.8.  That's a 1.2 lb. loss. I'm ok with that.  And yes, I probably could have done better if I would just exercise. It's too cold....and too carpety.  I didn't count calories like I said I was going to....but, I think I will this coming week. I finally printed out a bunch of charts...I'm ready.

I think about quitting a lot, even though Thanksgiving week I gave no thought to what or how much I put in my mouth.  I'm not quitting though. Seeking to be healthy and fit should not be an on again off again thing.  Sure there are times we eat more (Thanksgiving) but that is the exception not the norm.

Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and women) do nothing."

Becky takes that philosophy and adapts it, "All that is necessary for poor health and chubbiness to triumph is that good men (and women) do nothing." 

If we don't try.  The fat wins.


I think I'll keep trying.

Amy's Week 10 - Short and Sweet

I weighed in this morning at 168.4. Not bad. I had the flu this week and I was sure that it'd put me in prime position to lose 5+ pounds. But alas, not happening and that was probably due to the fact that once I could keep food down, I ate....and ate....and ate...did I mention that I ate?

Workouts, few and far between, but I'm headed up to the gym right now...well as soon as I finish this.

I'm thankful for so many things; especially my healthy family!!!

"...to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven." - President Thomas S. Monson (too see full message click here)

Amy's Week 9

I have reason to celebrate...weighed in this morning at 169.4!!!! Yesssssss!! I'm out of the 70's. My way of celebrating is eating. So, I'm gonna go enjoy me some awesome food...I wish there was a Cheesecake Factory around here b/c that's where I'd go and PIG OUT!!

I was a little sick this week so I'll chalk that up to the lost .6 pound. I literally ate whatever I wanted and didn't pay too much attention to my calories. I worked out a couple of times this week. Since it was only a couple, I headed to the school this morning and did sprints on the treadmill...those were crazy. I don't know how the peeps on The Biggest Loser do those and I only made it to 7.5. I think they do them at a 9.0. CRAZY!!

This week is Thanksgiving and I want to send a shout out to all those who have helped me become who I am today. I'm so, so, so grateful for you and your examples!! I will be thinking of you on this special holiday. Much love to you and yours.

“To walk with God, no strength is lost.
Walk on.
To talk with God, no breath is lost.
Talk on.
To wait on God, no time is lost.
Wait on.” - Anonymous

Becky's Week 8 & 9

Last weekend we went up North.  It was fun.  But, I forgot to post. Sorry. 

Week 8

Weighed in Friday November 12 at 178.2 down from 180.3 the week before. Lost 2 pounds!  Awesome!  I was careful with what I put in my mouth and I was careful with my portions.  I didn't count calories, but watching portions helps my caloric intake without actually counting. 

Week 9

We started our weekend up North by going to The Olive Garden with both sets of parents.  It was in celebration of our anniversary. Four years this month!   I got the Portobello di Ravioli - I know, right! Amy, you introduced me to that lovely dish.  I should have eaten only half, but at half I didn't want to stop, so I didn't. 

Then I pigged out at my mom's house until Tuesday! Didn't watch what I ate, didn't watch portions.  I am not shy about eating at my parent's house, apparently. I need to watch that...I think I'm prepared mentally for next time.

I got treated to Cafe Rio and I ate my whole chicken salad.  Oh. So. Good.

I also had Dr. Pepper.  The first one was an experiment instigated by my sisters.  They mean well.  Not sure the experiment worked but I don't think you want the details, so I'll spare you.  The second and third DP's were just because I had tasted the sweet nectar of the Dr. and subsequently I caved...twice.  Total of three cans.

I'm disappointed I didn't exercise more self control.  But, like I said, I think I'm prepared mentally for next time.

Since we returned home I have been a little better.

Last night Nate and I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary alone.  We went to a place called Pepperbelly's.  It was yummy and we shared a dessert.

This morning I weighed in at 180.8. Gained back those 2. Darn.

I probably won't post next week because I will be up North celebrating Thanksgiving, of course.  But, here is my plan between Thanksgiving and Christmas:

Count ALL my calories from November 29 through December 23.  That's about three and a half weeks - 18 days not including the weekend, which we don't. And I'm going going going to start exercising at least three times a week. Lately, I hate exercise.  I used to love it....what happened?  My goal is to lose 3 pounds.  Then I think I will take a break from counting calories until January 3, 2011. (Break December 24 - January 2).

Does that sound like a good plan?  I think so. 

"That which we persist in doing soon becomes easy to do. Not that the nature of the thing has changed, but our power to do has increased." Ralf Waldo Emmerson

Amy's Week 8

I must start out by saying...I ate a whole pizza this week, twice!!! It was smaller than a large and bigger than a small. Yes, I ate two medium pizzas this week and loved EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!!! Oh boy I feel purged!! (aka free from my pizza woes)

With that said, I weighed in today at 170.0. I must have done something right this week to still be able to lose a pound, almost a pound and a half. I've been really good about my caloric intake this week, besides aforementioned pizza dayz. The strength training has bumped itself up to five times a week instead of three b/c of winter coming so abruptly. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I do the big workout and on Tuesday and Thursday I do a smaller revised workout (I don't do any leg work, just arms). And on Friday Maya and I have started going to the school's pool to have a swim lesson...I try to do some working out too.

FYI, I was at Wally's last night and I almost bought an orange Fanta...then I remembered that I stopped drinking soda when I started this journey and it was no longer a temptation. It was a good moment.

I feel great and accomplished. I know there is still a lot of work to do and I'm excited to get under 170...sometime soon...hopefully next week.

Thanks for stopping in!! Until next time, `"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." - E.E. Cummings

Becky's week 7

So, I'm 180.3. Pretty much gained a pound. Did NO EXERCISE this week and ate a buttload of candy. I'm so in trouble for the holidays. It's even going to be hard to maintain with icky snow. I hate hate hate exercising inside on carpet! It just grosses me out.  It can be clean fresh new carpet and sweating over or on it just makes my skin crawl. I need someone to smack me and say "Get over it! You need the exercise!" But, I don't want to tell anyone that...who WANTS a smack and yell?  Not me. 

I think I'm going back to counting my calories this week.  I want to be back in the 179 area again...or lower!

This is SO stinkin' hard!

Amy's Week 7

Not a whole lot has happened with me this week that's worth blogging about. I'm weighing in at 171.4 and hoping that this holiday season doesn't send me into a rapid downward spiral, or upward spiral...however that works.

The weather took a turn for good this week so Maya and I were able to get out and do some cardio. It's supposed to be snowing next week, so I'll be back to doing everything inside.

Okey dokey, not much to report here!! Until next time, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." -Mother Teresa

Amy's Week 5 and Week 6

Welp, after a weekend in Utah and a week of not counting the calories, I'm up a pound and a half. So I'm hanging out at 173.4. I weighed myself the Friday before I left for Utah b/c I knew I would be indulging in super yummy, high cal foods and I was 171.7. I was 10 pounds down as of that Friday, but with everything that weekend and this past week, I DID NOT maintain!! Hee, hee....I made the conscious decision not to pay attention to calories this week b/c I felt it was driving me crazy, ever so slightly. So Becky, I'm on that same page as you, which is not being so hawkish and just letting myself monitor myself. Make good choices, portion control and, my favorite, eat lots of fruit.

Since I've started this journey, I've realized how much I LOVE fruit. I love berries and...ALL FRUIT. Ok, that's that.

I'm going to continue strength training every Mon. Wed. and Fri. and if it's warm enough get outside for a walk or a jog.

So in summary, Week 5 was awesome and then Week 6 was awesome too, just in different ways.

Ok, thanks for checking in. Until next time, "They can because they think they can." - Virgil

Becky's week 5 & 6

This is going to be short and sweet.

Week 5 went great. I kept track of everything I ate and the calories.  I walked that week and I think I ran once.  It was good.  And at the end of that week I got to see Amy!  Amy it was great to see you.  I had brought my calories counting charts to show you how pimped out they are and what I've been eating so we could share some ideas....but, I forgot to share them with you. Boo!  But, it was so nice to see you.

Week 6 went fine. I didn't print off my charts at the beginning of the week....so, I never printed them off.  I didn't count calories but, I still ate very sensible.  It is also Halloween week so we went to the ward party and had lots of sweets (including root beer, I couldn't resist mate).  And I'm surely going to have lots of sweets tonight and tomorrow.  I maintained my weight 179.8 not .6 but still that's maintaining.

I think I'm going to still stick to my calorie counting, but I think I'm going to go into maintenance mode soon because of the holidays.  I don't want to gain but I don't know that I'll be losing.  What do you think Am?

In a previous post I mentioned the Monroe 5K.  That was last night and I didn't run it.  I totally would have it hadn't been on a Friday night....I would have run it if it was this morning.  Excuses excuses.  I know.  Someday, I run in a race.  Someday.

Dear Amy,

I want to thank you for being such a great support to me. Not just through this weight loss wrestle but since forever.

Remember when it was my time to come to earth, we held hands and promised we'd be the best cousins ever! You finally came....almost TWO years later!

Ok, I don't remember that either....but, I'm 99.9% sure that's how it went down.

Remember when we were in high school at different high schools....that stunk.

Remember how my bishop's son took you to my senior prom!  Was that not the best prom ever?  A buffet dinner, dancing, a fireworks show and my best sister-cousin, all on a bay cruiser in San Fran Bay. My Heart Will Go On! Boosh!  Boosh!  Boosh!  Remember when we relived it a couple years later on that single adult bay cruise?  That was so fun too!

Remember when I lived with you for the summer?  And I never found a job.  That stunk...but only the no job part. Remember how you would come home from work and we'd watch "Garbage" together? Remember when we crashed the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and rode rides, ate very melty ice cream and walked hand in hand on the beach....ok, not hand in hand...but it was romantic.  Ha ha ha!  No, seriously....it was SO fun!

Remember when we would cruise around in your Red Ford Mustang Convertible?  That was AWESOME!  Remember when I dropped something chocolate in there, and it rolled under the seat and you were pissed!  I believe I can quote you exactly, "Oh! Melted chocolate under the seat! That really ups the resale value!" and I said, "It has a thin candy shell, I'm surprised you didn't know that." and then you said, "You're brain has a shell on it."  Good times!

Remember dances!?!? I LOVE the way you dance! Especially the way you dance to Stayin' Alive. Amy you got some good moves and grooves.

Remember driving down to So. Cal. from Provo to surprise your parents?  Remember how my mom didn't want us to leave at night but we just had to get on the road.  Remember how there were snow flurries and the car kept dying and we'd pull over, say a prayer, talk about what we were going to do if the car didn't start and all three or four times it would start again?  Remember how it only did that during the snow flurries and was perfectly fine the rest of the trip? Remember how your mom (my beloved Aunt Nancy) was kinda worried about us driving that Honda back to Utah so we got to take the Suburban! 

Remember how we went on missions around the same time. Remember how when we got back we went to the temple every week for a year and most of those weeks we were together?  That was awesome! I think my understanding and love of the temple stems from those days, going with you. 

Remember how I saved my money and visited you in Hawaii!?!?  That was THE BEST!  Snorkling, sun bathing, beach walking, picture taking, temple attending, hiking (I know you hated that, but thanks for doing it anyway), Eggs and Thingsing, cruising around in Stella?

Speaking of Stella, remember when I had to leave a little bit of cheetos in the car and we curled the top of the bag around itself really tight and then put a binder clip on it and it STILL got baby cockroaches in it?  But, silly me didn't look in the bag first and was soon screaming!  Remember how we pulled over and jumped out of the car screaming and yelling "Killler roaches!"  Ok, that last part isn't true but we did pull over and get out and wiggle the heebie jeebies off.  And those guys skate boarding by wanted to know what was up. 

Remember how we got married in the SAME YEAR!  We couldn't have planned that better if we tried. Remember how we wore practically the same dress!  Ok, we did wear half of the exactly same dress.  Thank you!

I'm sure I'm forgetting a key remembrance but I think I've hit on all the highlights. I have great memories with you Am. Thank you, thank you, thank you, again, for being such a great friend, support, cousin, and sister.

Love,

Becky

P.S. I did the strength training today. I know why I've been putting it off.  IT'S HARD!!!  But, after, I felt great. Thanks for pushing me!

Amy's Week Four

Let me start off by saying that 1000 calorie burgers do not help the weight loss cause. That's my confession, you can assume what you'd like. Hee, hee!! I will say that b/c of the culprit, our Sat. has turned into a watch-what-I-eat day.

This week was good. To date I've lost 7 lbs as well. I'm pretty excited to be wearing, more comfortably, my favorite pair of jeans. I did my strength training Mon., Wed., and Fri. and that went well. As for my Tues. and Thurs. I tried to stay active. It's been super cold here in the mornings and I've just gotta accept that I won't be able to get outside for exercise anymore, well not for very much longer.

Not much else to report. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, "I shot for the stars, but landed in the clouds." - Kanye West

Becky's week 4

This week was great!  There is always more I could do in the realm of exercise but, you  know how it goes.

Exercise:  I worked Monday and Tuesday. Monday, I bought a scale to weigh me and a scale to weigh my food and I did this on my lunch break so no exercise...well unless you count bussling around Walmart looking for the scales. Tuesday, I briskly walked for 30-40 minutes of my lunch break. It felt great!  Better than errands and better than sitting in my car reading my book. Tuesday we also deep cleaned the orthodontist's office where I work and it needed it bad.  With climbing up and down from a chair, reaching, and wiping and moving furniture and dusting, etc. I definitely got a workout that day. Wednesday we went to the Manti temple and found it CLOSED!  There were some grounds keepers out and they told us we could volunteer to help clean. That sounded much better than just turning around and going straight home. We cleaned a room full of lockers and then climbed a bunch of steps because the lady we worked with showed us around and we got to see some cool stuff regular patrons don't ever see. It was awesome...and a workout. Thursday, I did nothing. I should have ran and done some strength training but I sewed all day and didn't even get dressed until around 4:00. I like those kind of days and they don't happen very often for me, lately.  Friday, I was going to run in the morning but Marley insisted on going with me in the stroller and I just can't/don't want to run pushing that anymore. So we walked and it was it was short because I forgot my inhaler and usually walks don't throw me into an asthma attack but this one did.  I'm planning on running today.  And I MAY or MAY NOT be running the Monroe 5k on October 29th.  More on that another day.

Now for the good part. Eating, weighing, measuring, calorie counting went SO well for me this week.  I think it was as a result of a number of things.  #1 I talked with Amy last Saturday.  She pumped me up and gave me so much encouragement and sound advice.  She is the one that advised me to just break down and buy a digital scale to weigh myself. I think that boosted my confidence because I wasn't just guessing or recalulating my weight. Clarity.  #2 I bought the scale to weigh my food and I measured and weighed EVERYTHING! no guessing or eye-balling. #3 I printed off a food journal/calorie counting chart that I made for myself. I printed out 5 on Monday (for Mon-Fri) and with that I recorded EVERYTHING - instead of cramming my record into my calendar book. #3 I used the Ultimate Calorie Counter book which I got for free online (because of a swagbucks amazon card) and looked up and recorded the calories for EVERYTHING! (I recommend this book and I do not recommend this book...more on that another day).  I managed my calories very well this week.  And...

From Monday to Friday I lost one pound!  I am now 179.6 instead of 180.8. I feel great!

I went to the doctor right as we were starting this and the doctor's scale said I was 186.6.  The scale I was using at home was a scale that spins and then bounces until it finally settles on little tiny dash marks and it was common knowledge that it is 3-4 lbs off...making you 3-4 lbs lighter than you really are. So, on that scale I was about 182.  It would be nice if the scale I bought on Monday was close in accuracy to the scale at the doctor and that would mean I lost about 7 lbs since we started...but, I kinda doubt that.  So, I'm pretty much starting from with the data from my new scale.  In my head though....in my imagination....I've lost about 7lbs!!  ;-)

This was said on Unclutter sometime last year.  I saved it in my email drafts because I liked it and of course they were talking about uncluttering but I think it applies to anything we try to change as an adult.

"It’s hard to learn a new skill as an adult. We have to trust someone else to show us the way. We have to train our minds and our bodies to behave in new ways. We have to practice. We have to not be good at something before we can get better. And, we can’t dive right in and do it exactly the way we have imagined it."

Becky's week 2 & 3

I've been pretty down.  The usual husband unemployed blues.  Conference gave me a little boost with clarity and perspective but, the clouds rolled in again and I lost sight of my goal. 

Week 2

I ran 2 days and cleaned the whole house one day.  Cleaning the whole house can be quite a workout.  After, I felt great and exhausted. 

I recorded all my food in my calendar book but wasn't very careful about looking up calories and keeping track.  I still call it a win because I wrote EVERYTHING down.  Just should have taken the time to put it in sparkpeople so I could have watched my calories better.  I never over ate so I felt good and disciplined. 

Week 3

This week it felt like I fell off the wagon.  It feels like we have been dieting for MONTHS already and it's only been THREE WEEKS!!!  Monday I worked.  No exercise.  Tuesday I ran 3 miles!!!  It felt great! Then Nathan and I had a bunch of errands; car registration, new drivers licenses and car insurance transfer from Braskie, and a Walnast run. Since all that had to be done in the next town and took all day we had to go out to lunch.  We went to, I'm sure the Mother of All Calories and Fat, Pizza Hut all you can eat lunch buffet.  Man!  I love that!  But, there is no controlling how much melted cheese goes in my mouth there.  Actually, there is not controlling how much of anything goes in my mouth there.  Wednesday and Thursday I worked....so no exercise. Eating on these two days I did great until it came to dinner.  I didn't stuff myself but I did eat too much. Also, the ladies I work with bring LOTS of treats and I caved in and had some candy, a crumb donut and a handful of honey roasted peanuts.  That wasn't all in one day but still. 

Friday I had: No self control!  I had two glasses of root beer and I haven't even had soda in a long time!  I figured that those two glasses of root beer was almost 800 calories.  Stupid! 

I also didn't record anything!  That's where I feel like I feel off the wagon.  I don't know how many calories I ate any day this week. 

But, I am resolved to keep a good perspective, have self control when it comes to eating and be disciplined enough to crack down on exercise.

My body is back to blah again.  No likey.

This is HARD!!!!!

Amy's Week Three

I've plateaued this week and I'm gonna chalk it up to bloating, if you catch my drift. The week went by fast and painless up until Friday. Maya woke up way earlier than normal Friday morning and I did not have any desire to work out....NONE, Zero, Nada. BUT, I finally did and I was very glad I did b/c I struggled that day with my calories.

As of late, I've been eating less than my daily ration, not on purpose; I think I'm finally getting use to eating less. However, yesterday was different. For one it was raining and two there are only so many things you can do inside with a toddler before you start munching right along side them. We've been good about eating more fruit (Maya's always been good at that, thank goodness) and I felt like if I'm eating fruit it doesn't matter how much I eat...it does matter. Too much of a good thing sometimes is not good. Arthur was at school until 5:30 and I just had to make it until then b/c with him my sanity level goes down...wait...no up....I have more sanity when he's around!!

I've learned something about myself...if I miss one day, it'll be tough, tough, tough for me to start up again. When I almost didn't work out on Friday I thought to myself, 'this will be the beginning of the end.' So, I got up off the couch and worked out and it felt GREAT!!

Alrighty, thanks for stopping by. Until next time, "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." -Gandhi

Amy's Week Two

I'm four pounds down, only 26 more to go!!! I'm pretty proud of myself for actually sticking to the two pounds a week.

This week was interesting. It was my little brother's birthday and we took him out to dinner on Wed. I tried really hard to prepare myself for not eating what I normally eat and after some research I realized I could get at least the burger and not the fries and be fine. Hurray!! I was glad b/c the burger is my favorite part. I did have some fries too!!!! There was also a night where Arthur came home late from work and he still had to eat dinner. I ate two dinners that night. Nothing huge, but none the less, two dinners.

With all the temptation, I feel I'm adapting to not eating as much pretty well. Of course, I still have slip ups, but I think that's normal. Workouts this week have gone smooth and successful. I lifted three times doing 3 sets of 12 reps, squats; 3 sets of 12 reps, power cleans; 3 sets of 12 reps, bicep curls; 3 sets of 15, back row; 3 sets of 12, lunges; 4 sets of 40, ab cross overs. During each one, I have a certain amount of weight on the bar or I'm holding dumbbells. One Tuesday and Thursday I did the bike workout. It's still difficult and hopefully I can add some more length to our ride/workout.

Welp, thanks for stopping by. Until next time, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Week in review and other tid bits

Like Amy, I am going to post a review of how the week went....on Saturdays.  But, this past Saturday, I was too busy.  PARTYING!!!  It was my birthday.  31 now.  wow!

Anyway, on with the review of last week.

My number one goal right now is to log all my food (Monday-Friday) into sparkpeople.com.  That is what I am using as my food log/calorie counter/nutrition analyzer.  So far I really like it. The only day I missed logging was Friday because we left that morning to go up north to visit a friend and hang with family for my birthday weekend.  Four out of five days....not too bad.

Overall, my calorie counting went well.  I only went over calories one day and I have a really good excuse for that!  Tuesday I got a migraine, complete with an eye floater.  I haven't had one that bad in a long time!  As the migraine hit me I downed THREE hot dogs! I was panicking!  That's 446 calories just for the dog part, not counting the buns or condiments!

Also, after hours of sleep in a dark room (or with something over my eyes), the only way to really snap me out of a migraine stooper (relieve the pain) is to give me (which Nathan did!) a nice, tall, cold, 20 oz. Dr. Pepper.  It's just what the Dr. ordered.  Does the trick but that's 225 calories!!!  So, Tuesday I was well over my calories. 

Wednesday I was way under my calories because I slept so much and made sure the migraine had passed. So, maybe Tuesday and Wednesday balance each other out?

Exercise....well, I ran Monday morning.  Walked Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and nothing Thursday and Friday.  I still haven't attempted strength training and I'm pretty sure the serious thought of it on Tuesday is what made my head revolt by spiraling out of control into migraine mayhem.  Maybe I'll think about strength training NEXT week. 

I can't really tell you if I've lost any weight because I have a very imprecise scale.  Let's just say I am feeling much better in my skin and my clothes are feeling different.  And so far, that's good enough for me!

Amy has ended two of her posts with cool quotes.  They reminded me of a billboard I would see in Lincoln.  I can't remember EXACTLY what it said, but it was something like this, "If you are saving your breath to exercise tomorrow, tomorrow you may not have the breath." ~don't remember if there was an author cited either.  Cool quote though huh?

Amy's Week One

This first full week of 'weighting' has been VERY tough for me. I knew I wasn't starving, but I definitely felt like I was going to starve to death on some days. 'My body is just adjusting to not eating all the time,' is what I kept telling myself. Which is true, I found that I munch and munch most days after 3 or 4 pm. I've had to keep myself busy with whatever so that I wouldn't go into the kitchen and eat. I've also discovered that I'm way more of a grouch when it comes to lack of food than when it comes to lack of sleep. I can deal with little sleep, but food, oh boy, I'm a wreck and poor Arthur has suffered through this first week like a champ.

Arthur has been so helpful with watching his portions and giving me workouts to do. He's been awesome. I did cardio twice this week and lifted three times. I think that'll be the new schedule for me. It's easier for me to stay inside and lift than get out and cardio....not to mention the weather is getting pretty cold so that makes the change a little easier too.

I've lost 1.6 pounds. I'm now fluctuating between 179 and 180. I've made Saturday morning my time to be weighed and it feels good. Slow and strong!!

Speaking of slow and strong. On Friday, Arthur and I went on a 'bike ride.' To me a bike ride is a leisurely ride down the street or to the park and back. Arthur's definition of a bike ride is up thousands of hills and up some more hills. Naturally I made it my cardio activity. Round trip it was 6 1/2 miles but since there were so many hills, I considered it 10 miles. Ha!!! I spent so much time going up the hills that it felt like I'd biked that many more miles! In all honestly thought, I really did enjoy myself. It felt great to get out and see beautiful Rexburg...it really is beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by, until next time, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin

A break through and Becky's "before"

I often dread exercise.  I guess I don't dread the actual exercising part, it's the getting ready; it's the fear of failure; it's the horror of doing it and not even seeing/feeling results.  The thing is, I rarely see results but I always feel them.  Exercising makes me feel good.  Most times it gives me MORE energy and NOT LESS. 

Because of my anxiety I put it off last week.  Each day I did, I felt more and more guilty.  Friday evening I told Nathan that I needed his help to get me out the door to exercise.  He said, "Ok, what time are you going to go?"  I said, "8:00," thinking it was going to be too dark and still hoping (a little) it wouldn't be.  It was.  I didn't go.  I felt like a lazy idiot.  I'm mean, who was I fooling?  Not me!  Not anyone else. 

So....

Saturday I got up and I was out the door ready to run at 7:15.  I did great!  I truly surprised myself!  This little town doesn't look so hot and dry in the morning shade, before the sun comes over the mountains (hills).  It was beautiful.  It was hard, but I pushed myself.  I still haven't clocked on my car odometer but, I think it was a least a mile. 

While I ran I thought of a lot of things.  Mostly about the relay race I ran last October.  How fun it was.  How anxious I was training for it.  How much fun the ladies I ran it with were and how supportive and loving they were. 

I thought about blogging and how fulfilling it was going to be to write this post.  I did it!  A success!  

The song that ran through my head (without headphones) was Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now!"

Don't stop me now
Don't stop me
Cuz I'm havin' a good time
Havin' a good time

I'm a shootin' star leaping through the sky like a tiger
Defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racin' car passin' by
Like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go go go
There's no stoppin' meeeee
I'm burnin' through the sky
Yea! 
200 degrees!
Which is why they call me Mr. Fahrenheit
I'm traveling at the speed of light
Wanna make a super sonic man out of you!

Don't stop me now
I'm havin' such a good time
I'm havin' a ball
Don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good time
Just give me a call
Don't stop me now
Cuz I'm havin' a good time
Havin' a good time
I don't want to stop at all!!!

Ok, that's enough of that.  That is one really great song!  I love it.  And it kept me pushin'.  In fact, yesterday I ran again.  It was harder...I don't know why but runnning seems to get harder the more I do it...not easier...but still rewarding.  Monday I took my iPod and made sure Queen was pumping in my ears.  There are actually quite a few great Queen songs that are great for exercising. 

Now the strength training hurtle is next.  I don't really have a space to do it where my in-laws won't run into me.  They totally wouldn't mind...but, I might.  I also don't have weights, which Amy assures me isn't a problem.  I just need to do it.  I'M GOING TO DO IT!!  TODAY!!!

Here are some "before" pictures!

I look like I'm half asleep in this one.  I thought I had blinked...but, no, just about to blink.

This one is better.

And yes, for those of you who didn't know.  I got my hair cut.

Please keep cheering us on!

Amy's Week

I decided that I'd post every Saturday and let everyone know what I did during the week. Since Becky and I didn't start this blog until Wed/Thurs I'll give you a quick update.

Thurs - Arthur put together a strength training workout together. It included some power cleans, bicep curls, ab cross overs, bent over rows, and squats, all from which I am sore. It felt good and being sore feels good too. I did well on watching my calories, however, unlike Becky, this is going to be the more difficult part of this weight loss journey. I realized on Thurs that around 4pm I get very bored and normally munch on whatever is in the house. I got myself outside w/ Maya and tried to keep busy until Arthur came home. I did it, but it was HARD!!!

Fri - I went for a run, two miles....that's pretty great considering I was extremely sore. I ended with some more ab cross overs. This day was MIGHTY hard in regards to the calories. By 4pm, I had to have a very little portion of cottage cheese. That was supposed to hold me over until we had dinner around 8. HA!!! Definitely did NOT hold me over. I felt horrible and thought I was going to hurl right in the middle of Pier 1. Not a good thing. So, to be straight with you, yesterday was very, VERY difficult. I'm thinking that my body is just getting use to this change. Hopefully within a week or so I'll get the hang of it.

Thanks for stopping by...until next week, "In the end it will all work out. If it doesn't work out, it's not the end." -Anonymous

Becky's Overall Goal

My overall weight loss goal is to lose 32 lbs. by the time I turn 32, September 25, 2011.

This is going to be interesting because I hope to be pregnant for 9 months of this time period and so I definitely will not be dieting during that time....but, I still think I can do it.

I found this interesting Calorie Calculator. I don't know how accurate it is or if followed produces the desired results...but, it seems logical. But, I'm not using it...just thought it was interesting.

Also, I found this cool article from GoodHouskeeping.com and it helps you figure out how many calories to cut to lose weight. It's a pretty crazy formula, but I did it with my calculator, so I didn't get hurt. If you're scared of big formulas or just don't own or can't find a calculator here's a simple one...

I got this formula from my cousin Megan.  She wasn't positive about the source from which it came but, I like it so I'm using it. 

11 times your weight minus 500 = how many calories you can eat and still lose weight.

She also said that if you cut 3500 calories from your diet per week you will lose 1 pound per week.  Makes sense.  Please read Megan's disclaimer, it's cute and relavant because we keep referencing her.

So, the formula is how I came up with my calorie allotment. 

Exercise yesterday.....didn't do it.  But, I only ate 1460 calories. 

I kinda don't think the hard part for me is going to be the calorie counting...so much.  I think its going to be the exercise.  Sigh. Well, I'm sure I'll have my days where I wrastle with one or the other or with both.  I'm going to go running today....I AM!

However, my mother-in-law made brownies yesterday for her activity day girls and there were leftovers.  I got one for Marley but not for me!  There is also yummy ice cream in the freeze...passed on that too!  Boo-ya!

And one last thing.  We try to go to the temple once a week, because right now we can!  Anyway, we are going today.  After, we usually go out to lunch.  I'll let you know how my fast-food-wiser-choosing goes.

Oh, and I'll be getting a "before" picture up soon, very soon.

Amy's story and more.

I'd like to echo everything my wonderful cousin Becky said...way better than I ever could have said it, BTW.

I'm so ready to lose those extra...several...pounds. I, too, have been heavily inspired by my awesome sis-in-law and also by the fact that I will be WAY more accountable for what I do now that others are involved in my/our journey. I'll be blatantly honest, I've got about 25 pounds to lose, but if I lose 30 I'd be fine with that. Just in the last two months or so I've gained too many lbs to count, 7. Is that too many?? I guess if I can count them on two hands, it's countable. So, I guess my goal is to lose 30 pounds by August 23, 2011, the day I turn 30.

I'll tell you a little about me. I've fluctuated with weight my whole life, but up until this point, like my cuz, never really felt the need to lose weight. I was comfortable with my body. Since I've had my daughter (who will be two in December) I've seen weight come and go. For me, unfortunately, it has been coming and not going for about 8 months. My before pregnancy weight in Jan '08 was 173...highest I hit while prego, 196. After giving birth I range between 162 and 167 for the duration of breast feeding, about nine months. I've peaked, this morning, at 181.6 and I don't like feeling like I'm out of control, but I believe I am, slightly. My goal weight is 151.6 and boy will it feel great putting on those dusty jeans again!!

This is where Becky comes in. I need someone to literally spell it out for me and I'll do it. She's going to be my training and sooner or later I'll become hers, but for right now, I'm one of her cheerleaders and I know she's one of mine. I love that through a simple text conversation we came to this agreement and I'm so exciting to begin this battle/wrestle along side her. I can't leave out the husbands in the equation...THANK YOU for supporting us!!!
I've included some before pics. You're welcome!

The Journey Begins

I've never really tried....REALLY tried to lose weight before. There are times in the past when I thought I needed to lose weight, but looking back, I don't think I did. I'm thirty and I consider myself lucky that this is the first time I am REALLY trying to lose weight and the first time I have REALLY felt I needed to...it's time. I'm about 50 pounds over my comfortable weight and I don't like it. I'm uncomfortable. But, I know it's going to be hard.

Eating...we have to do it to live. We do it three plus times a day. It is going-to-be-hard.

Exercising....I love it when I'm doing it...but, getting myself to do it...is....hard. I need to tell myself that I don't have a choice...this is my job today....do it!

I think a key to weight loss is support. I have a lot of support from my family. In fact today, after a semi-stressful situation I really wanted to buy a candy bar. My husband said, "No." I was a little mad for a little while, but I realized that he did what I couldn't do for myself, at that moment. And now hours later I'm glad he did.

Don't get me wrong, I DO NOT want someone constantly telling me what I can and cannot eat, but the support helps. Especially when it is done lovingly and encouragingly.

I think another key to weight loss is accountability. I am going to be accountable to me and my husband and my cousin Amy. My husband because he's willing. My cousin Amy because we are doing this together. We can do it!

So to start us off, here is our plan.

Diet goals:
Amy: 1460 calories a day
Becky: 1500 calories a day (starting, I think it will change over time)
No soda
Limited fast food (try harder to make healthier choices)
Limited sugar

Exercise goals:
Mon/Wed/Fri = cardio
Tues/Thurs = strength training
Sat = cross training

These goals are modified from one of our favorite blogs....So Buttons. Specifically, from this post.

Amy if there is anything you want me to modify on the goals....email me and I'll change it right away!

The rest of you....join us for the journey!