Eight Weeks In

Today marks eight weeks in on this journey and I’ve lost seven more pounds in the last two weeks. Non-scale victory for today - this morning I had an early appointment to get a passport (this has to do with a trip that I - and my family - for when I hit my goal weight). The appointment fell during my usual work out time and therefore it didn’t happen. It was a long day at work and when I got home, I didn’t want to do anything. However I got up and got my workout in and that is my non-scale victory. Choosing to make habits and creating disciplines will be what helps me get to my goal weight and help me keep the weight off. It’s a marathon, not a sprint over here.

34lbs down. 66 to go. 

Six Weeks In

It’s been a while and I’m not even sorry about it. After two weeks on Nutrisystem, I switched to HMR @ Home and I like it a lot more. The food tastes better, it’s more filling, and easier to prepare - which is great for work. After six weeks of Nutrisystem/HMR, I’m down 27lbs. I only lost two this week which was a bummer, but I’m having to remember that I lost 15 in two weeks…

On a different note, I can see a difference in my reward choices from the last time I did this weights loss journey. My rewards are a bit more practical this time around. For my first two ten-pound rewards I bought workout clothes and running shoes. For my next reward, I was planning on buying Jackie Hill Perry’s latest book however it doesn’t come out for another couple of weeks. Last night I got thinking that I need to replace my luggage that I’ve had for the last 15 years. I’ve already replaced my smaller, carry-on bag with one from https://www.awaytravel.com/ that I LOVE! Their bags are pricy, but I now use my carry-on solely on trips and I would love a bigger suitcase. I’d like to get their larger suitcase as my big 100lb total weight loss reward, but it’s still expensive. So as of now, I’m thinking about using some of my smaller 10lb rewards to get gift cards to Away to help cut down on the price later. I’m thinking this will help with my need for more self discipline and delayed gratification in my life. I’m not saying that every single one of my 10lb rewards will go to this, but honestly I’m trying to have less stuff in my life for the sake of future moves and this is a practical need so it kinda makes sense to me.

Also my family has talked about going on a big trip at the end of this journey to celebrate. There’s a location in mind, but nothing is official yet, but I’d definitely need a bigger piece of luggage! 

That’s all for now. Thanks for tuning in! 

Two Weeks In

So here we are again. I’ve officially finished two weeks of Nutrisystem and I’ve lost 15lbs! Week one was a 10lb loss and I weighed in this morning with another 5. I broke 200 (barely) and have 85lbs to go. I did get my new workout clothes last week and my next 10lb goal is new walking shoes! I’m in desperate need! Tomorrow I transition to the HMR at Home program and I’m actually excited. By the way, Nutrisystem tastes terrible! 

Well friends. I'm not sure who subscribed to this blog almost NINE years ago or who may stumble upon this, but to whoever reads this, know this is such a weird place to be in. I maintained my weight loss for not nearly as long as I should have or I would have liked, but it's been a journey over the last 7 - almost 8 -years since I hit my initial goal weight. I won't get into that here, but feel free to call me and I'll share the longer story with you for sure.

So as you know, or may have figured out, I've gained all the weight back that I had lost plus an additional 19 lbs from my heaviest weight (previously). I knew it was a problem, but all of my check ups at my doctor's were great except for my weight. Blood work and blood pressure were always perfect. I don't feel like crap. So what's the urgency in working on my weight, right?!

Recently I spent six days with three of my former roommates from Oregon and it was a huge blessing!! It's been so long since we were all together, and while we were missing a few of us, we got long phone calls with those who couldn't join us. It was a relaxing week and a sweet time of late nights, slow mornings, laughter, tears, prayer, and plan making for future vacation with my old roommates. 

However as I looked at the pictures from that vacation, I realize I look terrible. I'm not saying this in a vain way. I was just seeing how unhealthy I was. I don't feel as unhealthy as I am/I look. I don't struggle with basic things like climbing or going downstairs, but I know that can be an easy struggle for people who are my size. I don't want to get there. I don't want to be embarrassed by pictures anymore or have those pictures taint my memories of sweet vacations with friends. I knew something needed to be done. And now.

When I was on the weight loss journey before, a lot of it was encouraged by family members. This feels different for me. This is me owning this and I'm pretty determined to make this journey worth it in the long haul.

With all of that said, on Monday I started Nutrisystem. I'm finishing up week one and so far I'm not loving the food. It's not as good as the HMR food I ate on the last weight loss journey I was on. I'm thinking about switching to the HMR at Home program, but I'm giving Nutrisystem a full two weeks before I make a decision. 

I don't plan on posting on here with every weigh in or with weekly weight loss pictures like last time, but I will continue to update. I will continue to share. If y'all want to talk more, call me. I'm happy to talk. Part of me is really excited about not making a big deal about this while losing weight, but surprising people from time-to-time when I run into them. Also I still plan on doing rewards for every 10 lbs I lose which I look forward to and will share that, of course. I think my first reward is a new work out top and shorts. I'm currently using baggy walking shorts and a Rockbridge Work Crew tshirt. Not the most comfortable with Virginia Beach humidity.

So here I am with a goal weight of 114 and, in moment of complete (hard/painful) vulnerability, 100 lbs to lose. Tomorrow is my first weigh-in!

Weekly Weigh-In

Well I lost another pound. Crazy. I'm at 113 and officially my goal weight. Tonight's the first time since this process started that I haven't taken a picture and I'm kinda okay with that. I'm at my goal weight and I'm kinda tired of the picture taking. I'm sure y'all are tired of seeing me in a grey tshirt and jeans! I've officially lost 82 lbs!

Starting tomorrow, I'm adding more regular food to my diet. I started doing 5 shakes and 2 entrees a day on the decision free program. Then when I started the healthy solutions program, I started doing 3 shakes, 2 entrees, and 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Now that they're introducing normal foods, they'll do it gradually. So starting tomorrow, I'll be doing 3 shakes, 1 entree, 5 servings of fruits and veggies, and 1 serving of lean protein. So now I can eat things like eggs, chicken, yogurt, etc. I'm real excited yet real nervous about eating normal food too. I'm just glad that I'll be doing the Phase II program at the clinic. Phase II is the maintenance phase of the program. They teach you how to eat normal food and maintain your weight. Which is the hard part for me. I know how to gain and I know how to lose. I've never maintained my weight before...ever. I'm excited to learn though. I've worked so hard to get where I am, I don't want to go back.

So most of you know that for every 10 lbs I've lost, I treated myself to a reward that wasn't food related. I was also aiming for the end of the road reward. And this whole last year I've been trying to figure out what I wanted that to be. During this journey I've been clinging to this verse from Hebrews 6:19 "We have the hope that's an anchor for the soul; steadfast and secure." So I figured, why not get an anchor tattoo.

So Saturday morning I went up to the tattoo shop where I got my first two done and got this done. I love it. My parents on the other hand, not so much. Nothing looks better on Irish skin than an anchor tattoo, right? ;) 

So there we have it folks. 82lbs lighter and little more inked. Not much more I can ask for!

All in.

Wonderful Weekly Weigh-In!

So I have some news. I weighed in tonight and weighed the exact same to the ounce for the second week in a row. 114lbs 4oz. I was initially frustrated. As I was stepping off the scale, I was asking one of our nurses, Sam, her thoughts on why that was and if I needed to reconsider my goal weight. To make a long story somewhat short, I re-did the Body Composition Analysis (BCA) Machine. When you do the BCA machine, you find out your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Essentially your BMR tells you how much you should weigh. According to the BCA machine and my BMR, I should weigh 113lbs and 8oz. The Doc looked over it briefly and said she agreed with that based on all the criteria from the BCA. She also said my initial goal of 105 for my body was too little for my body. At Tidewater Bariatrics, if you are within three pounds of your BMR on either side, you are doing well. So yes I would like to be at 113.5lbs, but hey I'll take the 114lbs and 4oz! At first I was bummed that I wouldn't get to 105, but I'm becoming more okay with being at 113.5. It's kinda surreal that I'm pretty much done.

So what happens now, you might ask? Well they will very gradually take me off of their food and put me on real food. That process won't start this week, but it will in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep y'all posted on what that will look like as it happens.

Also, somehow in the last year, my math on the number of days I've been doing this program got a bit off. So I fixed it. Also, I did give myself a haircut today if you didn't notice!

9.24.13 Day 369, Lost:0 Total:76, Weight: 114

Also I thought it's be fun to show y'all my picture from day one til now. Remember I had lost five pounds before I started this program so overall weight loss has been 81lbs.

                                                      190lbs                                         114 lbs

Also in this journey I've taken up running. If you missed it, I ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon a few weeks ago. Here's how the half marathon went. In running the half, I raised $3150 for Young Life Capernaum so people with disabilities could hear about Christ. It is still my passion for people to hear about Christ. I am running a 10K in just over a month and I'm still raising money for Young Life Capernaum. If you'd like to support me and Capernaum, please go here!

Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement! I'll continue to update y'all!

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In

Not much to fill y'all in on this week. I stayed the same weight exactly as last week to the ounce. These last three pounds are going to kill me. It's a new week. Only 9 more pounds to go!

9.17.13 Day 355, Lost:0 Total:7, Weight: 114

All in.

A Wonderful Weekly Weigh-In

Well this week's weigh-in has made up for the last few weeks of ups and downs on the scale. I lost three pounds this week! Back down to 114 which is the lowest I've been on the program. Also haven't weighed this little since like middle school. Geez. Nine more pounds til my goal weight! Can't wait! Here we go! I've got this!

Also if you didn't see on my facebook or receive my email, I'm running another race! I'm running a 10K at the end of October. I'm raising money for Young Life Capernaum again with C-4 Racing. If you wish to give, go to http://www.razoo.com/story/Wicked-10k.

9.10.13 Day 348, Lost:3 Total:76, Weight: 114

All in.

Good Week...Just Not On The Scale

The half marathon was awesome! To read more about it go here.

The scale wasn't so kind this week. Part of it is that I cheated on my food a few too many times and part of it is my body is retaining water from the race! I'm ready to let go of this last little bit!

9.3.13, Day 341, Lost: +2, Total: 73, Weight: 117

All in.

Race Week And Weekly Weigh-In

It's race week! The race is on Sunday! Please pray, my foot's been bothering for a little over a week now and while it is beginning to feel better, I would love to not worry about it anymore. Also I just signed up for a 10K right before Halloween! I'm pretty stoked about that. I lost one pound this week. 10 pounds to go! I've got this!

8.27.13 Day 334, Lost:1 Total:75, Weight: 115

All in.

Wah-Wah

This post is going to be short because I'm tired and ready for bed and it's 9:45. Sigh. I gained two pounds this week. They think I'm retaining water because of my running schedule and not actually gaining real weight. Hopefully it'll show up on the scale next week. 11 more pounds to go. I've got this. Gotta keep myself motivated!

On a different note, after my meeting tonight, my sister-in-law, Amber, and I made a quick stop into Old Navy tonight. Two new extra small tops and two size 0 shorts! Thanks for the trip to Old Navy!

8.20.13 Day 327, Lost:+2 Total:74, Weight: 116

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In!!

Ah! I lost two pounds this week! Kind of unheard of at this point in the game! I'm officially out of the "overweight" section of the weight chart and into the "normal" range! For my height, the healthy weight ranges from 91 pounds to 115 pounds. I'm shooting for 105 as my goal weight! 9 more pounds! Eek! Out of the double digits!!! I only have 9 more pounds to lose!! So excited!

Also, I've raised $1575 out of my $5000 goal for Young Life Capernaum for my race. I have just less than three weeks til race days. If you'd like to support me in this race, go to: http://www.razoo.com/story/Virginia-Beach-Rock-And-Roll-Half-Marathon

8.13.13 Day 320, Lost:2 Total:76, Weight: 114

All in.

Clothes

If you are new to this blog, every so often you'll blog entries on new clothes I've gotten or clothes that are now too big. Boring blogs, but hey it's not a weekly weigh-in blog and I'm okay with this so here we go.

My sisters-in-law, Amber and Jess, are awesome. They've given me a ton of their clothes that they were willing to pass along. It has been a blessing to have clothes that fit and options as I'm still losing weight! Amber gave me a bunch more clothes this afternoon that I haven't fully gone through yet...next post. And yes, I'm still putting in shameless plugs for free clothes (hint hint YL friends)!

The first set of pictures are clothes that I received.

Two pairs of pants and a pair of shorts. Sad the pair of pants

on the right are already too big...I liked them a lot!

Work out clothes. The pants and the shorts on bottom

are too big as well...

My parents went to Rockbridge and brought back 

two YL tshirts!

Three new tops. The white one I believe is from Jess and

the other two are from Target - Extra Small thank you!

My dear friends, Stephen and Casey, now live in

Chicago. They came home to visit a few weeks ago

and brought me this tank top! Yes, the do know I'm 

a Yankees fan! And yes, I still love it because it came 

from them. Atleast it's not a Fenway tank top!

Amber's bathing suites. Also too big!

This next patch are all clothes that are too big! Let me know if you want any of this stuff, anyone!

Size medium Target tshirts.

Medium Target skirts.

More Target tshirts - S/M.

More tops.

Work out pants/shorts.

Size 4 jeans, Size 2 pants and shorts.

The tub no longer closes. All these clothes are too big!

Until next time...

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In

Today I'm kinda grumpy. Don't know why. I'm just grumpy. I woke up this morning to the sound of rain coming down and I did NOT want to get out of bed. At all. I've tried all day to get into a better mood and here we are at 8:35 and I'm not there. Sigh. Tomorrow's a new day.

Also, I am just over 25% through my fundraising goal of $5000 for Young Life Capernaum. I'm running the Rock and Roll half marathon in just less than 4 weeks and I'm asking people to support me in running this race by giving to Capernuam. If you wish to give, go here: http://www.razoo.com/story/Virginia-Beach-Rock-And-Roll-Half-Marathon

I lost another pound this week. Yay. 11 more pounds to go.

8.6.13 Day 313, Lost:1 Total:74, Weight: 116

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In

First things first - I have raised almost 10% of my fundraising goal for Young Life Capernaum. I signed up to run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon a few months ago and recently had the opportunity to join a racing team to raise money for Capernaum. If you'd like to read more of the story, go here. If you'd like to donate to my race, go here. I have just over a month to raise $4,575.

I don't have much else to say here other than I lost 1 pound this week. Which I'm told over and over again that amount is really goos for this stage in the journey and for how small I am. I have 12 pounds left to lose and I'd really like to take it off in the next few weeks instead of the next 3 months. I'm shooting for 2 pounds this next week so I can hit 75 pounds on the program and 80 pounds overall. We'll see.

7.30.13 Day 306, Lost:1 Total: 73, Weight: 117

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In

First and foremost, thank you all for your support and encouraging words. If I haven't replied to your email, I will try to get to it in the next day or so. If you are a little confused, click here. I am running the Rock and Roll Half Marathon Labor Day weekend and I'm raising money for Young Life Capernaum. If you're interested in giving or reading some of the background, click on the link above! I'm hoping to raise $5000 by Labor Day for YL Capernaum and so far I've raised $225! Thanks to those who have donated this far. Keep it coming!

If you're a new reader to this blog, let me feel you in on a few things. If you're a regular reader - I'm sorry for sounding like a broken record. The program that I'm doing, when you go for your weekly weigh-in (Tuesday evenings for me) the scale has the pounds and the actual ounce listed. If your weight  ends in 0 - 7 ounces, they round your weight down to the closest whole pound. If your weight ends in 8 - 15 ounces, they round your weight up to the closest whole pound. Last week I weighed in at 118lbs 7oz so they rounded me down to 118. This week I weighed in at 117lbs 14 oz so they rounded me up to 118. I did lose a half pound, but because of the system, it says I didn't lose anything. Not to be too discouraged though, the weight will come off! Also I lost 5lbs before I started this program. Below the picture it'll say how much I lost that week and the total I've lost. The total does not include the 5lbs I lost before I started the program.

7.23.13 Day 299, Lost:0 Total:72, Weight: 118

All in.

Back On Track - Weekly Weigh-In

Well here we are. This last weekend was not easy, but it's over. And I'm back on the right track. I lost two this week. It's not the three that I had gained, but I lost two and I'm choosing to be excited about it! This journey is definitely HARD! But it is worth it. I have to remind myself of that daily...especially now that I'm getting closer to my goal weight. It is getting harder to lose in all respects - physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. I don't NEED to lose the weight like I use to, but I'm not at the target weight for me yet. It is harder to keep going when the need to lose isn't as great. Foods that are not "in the box" yet, both healthy and not healthy, are sounding better and better by the day (sometimes the hours) and are getting harder and hard to avoid. I have less weight to lose than most people who have weight to lose. It's just crazy. It's hard. I'm definitely learning what it's like to be strong and discipline. It's not easy to be either. But here we are and I have 13 pounds to go. I've lost 72 pounds on the program, 77 pounds overall. Here we go.

On a different note, my 15 month old nephew, Wyatt, said "Ash" for the first time this evening. That was so fun!

7.16.13 Day 292, Lost:2 Total:72, Weight: 118

All in.

BOOOOO!!

Geting right to the point here. This weekly weigh-in sucked. Big time. I gained three pounds and I'm not sure why. I really don't like it. It is really hard. I seriously have no clue why I gained three. 15 pounds to go til I get to my goal weight.

7.9.13 Day 285, Lost:+3 Total:70, Weight: 120

All in.

5K And Weekly Weigh-In

I ran a 5K this weekend and it was awesome! 27 minutes thank you very much! I came in 4th in my age group for women! Stoked! It was the first 5K that I've been been able to run the whole thing. Loved it!

 Photo Credit: Ryan Rico

Also I lost 3lbs this week! At this point in the came, that is absurd. Ridiculous. I should be losing like 3lbs a month and I just lost three pounds this week! Seriously ridiculous!  I'm officially out of the 120s and into the 110s. 12 more pounds left!

7.2.13 Day 278, Lost:3 Total:73, Weight: 117

All in.

Weekly Weigh-In and Reward

This has been a ridiculously crazy week. Fun, but real crazy. I've had work, working out, all kinds of family in town, travels out of town, a wedding, and lots more. Through the craziness I still lost! I lost 1 lb this week so I'm at 120. I've lost 70 lbs on this program and 75 lbs overall. 75 flipping pounds! I have only 15 more pounds to go! Eeek!

Also I'm running a 5K this weekend supporting Young Life Capernaum in the area. If you want to walk or run the 5k, you can sign up or get more info here. It will he the first race that I'll actually be able run the whole thing! Real excited!

 6.25.13 Day 277, Lost:1 Total:70, Weight: 120

Also for every 10 pounds I treat myself to one fun thing, not food related. In the past I've done earrings, cd's, movies, etc. This time I treated myself to Friday Night Lights Season 3. I have treated myself to Season 1 and 2 in previous rewards, Real excited for Season 3. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

All in.