A BRAND NEW BLOG

Wow. No post since July 15th. That is crazy. Well, not really. Let me tell you what happened. I'll keep it short and sweet.

I tried to do it on my own. I had high ambitions, but not as many results. Even my newest measurements at the gym were disappointing. It seemed like I was making no progress at all. So I did what you should never do, and that is that I gave up. I hit rock bottom. Discouraged. Disappointed. Lethargic. I had mentally worn myself out with all the working out and all the constant counting calories that I was stressed to the max. I was even having crazy stress dreams. (Like my fish jumped out of his bowl and I couldn't catch him to put him back in. The next night I almost drowned) so I said ENOUGH! Enough is enough.

All this being "healthy" wasn't healthy at all.

I stopped working out. Just for a couple of weeks, just until I didn't feel like a bad person for not working out. I had been working out more so that I wouldn't be mad at myself, instead of for all the good reasons you should work out. So I quit working out. And I stopped counting calories.

During this time of rest, I took a step back and evaluated my situation. 1. I was frustrated that no matter what I ate it seemed, good or bad, nothing significant happened. 2. I used to love exercise, and now I hated it, and was only doing it so I wouldn't hate myself.

All that being said, I have turned a new page. I joined Jenny Craig (despite all the kids making fun of Jenny Craig when I was a kid). I'm loving it. That was the right choice. And I am reintroducing myself to exercise, making sure I'm doing it for the right reasons.

I will update more often now that I am back in control.

p.s. I lost 7.8lbs my first week at Jenny! (*I understand it is unhealthy to lose that much weight EVERY week. That was just the first week, lots of water weight) The diet is very healthy, I feel great, and best of all: it's working.

And even though this is a brand new blog, figuratively speaking, I'm still keeping the dog thing.
Here is 7.8lb "Marty"

Week 3 of 20 weigh in! Did I make it?

No :(

but I ALMOST did! 1.6 lbs down

3 weeks in a row I have lost...albeit last week I did not lose much, but I did lose! I am going to really push it this week to lose the 2 lbs that I've committed to each week. Total I have lost 4.8 lbs, and I'm supposed to be at 6 lbs. Maybe I can even push it to make up for the 1.2 lbs I'm behind!

I lost 1.6 lbs this week, and I wasn't necessarily what I would call "good". Imagine how much I could lose if I didn't sneak a brownie or a cookie here and there! I'm going to be committed this week to ixnay on the weetsay. No more sweets.

Also, I'm pledging to go to the gym 4 times this week. I'm loving the morning workouts! Watching the sunrise over your bar bells is a lovely feeling. Honestly, when I work out in the morning I am more energized all day...and then I'm DONE for the day and can do whatever I want after work. Definitely loving the morning workout.

So, this week:

Attainable goal: 2 lbs
Lofty goal: 3.2 lbs (to catch up)
Days at the gym: Aiming for 4

So far, I have lost 4.8 lbs, which is as much as "Angel" here below:

Attention everyone!

I, for the first time in my adult life, have run a mile without stopping. I usually walk run/walk run, but on Friday morning at 6 AM, I took my first big step in training for a 5k! I am so proud of myself! To some it may be silly to celebrate 1 mile, but to me, it's something I've been working very hard for, and it is not that easy for me or my body. It is quite an achievement!

Now that I know I CAN do it, I'm going to hold myself to it! Next up, 2 miles!

In other news, I weigh in on Wednesday, and I'm fearing the worst. I have been BAD this week. It was a rough week on me and I have fallen off the wagon. I'm getting myself back on track and getting serious! I just hope I don't gain this Wednesday. I'm already behind in my self challenge, I've got to step it up! I've just got to stay motivated and not give into temptation.

Off to bed, gym at 6 AM!

Week 2 of 20 weigh in! Did I make it?

No :(

But I did lose .6 lbs!

I was disappointed this morning when I stepped on the scale and saw that I only lost .6 lbs. Despite my 5 days working out and eating (for the most part) on course, I wish that my number were higher. But it's ok. Losing .6 is better than staying the same! That puts my total loss in 2 weeks at 3.2 lbs, which is as much as little "Tinkerbell" below weighs (disclaimer! These are not my dogs. I just find them on google and wish they were my dogs)


But I'm going to end on a positive note here, because although I am disappointed I lost less than my goal, I am excited that I did lose period. And I am very proud of myself for working out 5 times this week. And I'm proud at my progress during my workouts too. I am definitely seeing a change!

I've started going to the gym in the morning. Like 6 AM. I know, crazy! But I actually really love it. #1 I really like Bryan, the trainer. He is super positive and upbeat. #2, I've burned 800 calories by sunrise, it's awesome! And the very best part of it all is that I get to come home and do whatever, my evenings are not taken away by the gym any longer. I feel so free. So, I might switch to be a morning gym person ALL the time...I just have to convince Jenn to do the same...

I need to do a more educational post soon, I'm sure you're all bored of just reading of my mini goals. Just need to crack open JM's book again, and I've got plenty to talk about!

Week 1 of 20 weigh in! Did I make it?

YES!

2.6 lbs!

I lost as much this week as this little doggie weighs (apparently named Cameron Diaz) which is not a lot...but still commendable for one weeks time!


I hate little dogs, but I have to admit, that thing is pretty cute. OK! So, I am amazed at how well I did. Basically it came down to restarting my counting of the calories, not cheating (minus my mishap yesterday), and exercising. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are actually aware of your #s and determined to meet a goal. Now, I just have to do this for another 19 weeks!!!

Thank you for all your encouragement everyone :)

I can walk when I walk down the isle...

Cheryl from the gym said this to me after I was tired and wanted to walk on the treadmill instead of run. She yelled "You get to walk when you walk down the isle!"

Cheryl is right.

I'm not going to be one of those brides that loses a ridiculous amount of weight, and then puts it right back on after the big day. I have been working for some time to take of weight and get fit, and now I have new motivation and a new goal! I have decided that I would ultimately like to lose 50 lbs before November 21, but my more realistic goal is 40 lbs. This means that I have to lose 2 lbs a week for 20 weeks. There is one week grace built in. Am I crazy?

No. I can do it. I did it before when I lost 90 lbs without barely going a week without dropping significant lbs. But it is more than working out. And it is more than eating good. It's working out and eating good, not cheating, even just a little, and staying motivated when it seems like you'll never make it.

But I can do this. 2 lbs a week is very attainable. I remember I used to lose 2-4 lbs a week when I was way in the zone. I'm ready to back in the zone. SO! I weigh in on Wednesdays, and I will post each week whether I met my goal. Holding myself accountable each week really allows me to stay focused and encouraged.

So I am eating healthy and working out like a fiend until the day of my wedding.

Here goes nothing...

I'm back...and training to run a 5k!

I've been gone. I'm sorry. But I promise I've still been working out and eating healthy, just not blogging about it.

My friend Sarah told me about a program called "Couch to 5k" which I have started, and I am determined to be able to run a 5k at the end of it. Basically, it is a 9 week program, and by the end of it you should be able to run a 5k, or run for 30 minutes. It starts you off walking and running, then slowly weens you from the walking. There are podcasts you can download for each week (some premixed) but I downloaded the podcast of just the computer dude telling you when to walk and run. I took the voice and mixed it in Garage Band on my Mac (yeah! Go Apple!). Garage band lets you mix music, so I have put songs behind the voice, and they change for the walking and running. The constant change in music keeps this ADD kid pretty happy.

The first week is 5 minutes fast paced walking warm up, 60 seconds run, 90 seconds walk for 30 minutes. The first time I did this I was thinking it was too easy, but about half way I was definitely tired witha stich in my side. I ran tonight with Bryan, and it was still hard, but easier than before. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can do next week!

If you want my mixed file with music, you can email me and I will send it to you. I'm going to try to figure out how to make a Podcast on iTunes, then you may be able to download it easily!

In other news, I got THE dress, so now I have endless amount of motivation. :D