Some old pictures and stats

I found some older photos from a weight loss program I did several years ago. There were also stats that I haven't compared to my current stats quite yet.
I thought I would share these photos and stats with everyone just for grins AND it is incentive for me. I was 258 ponds in these photos and had not hit the health problems at this point. Surprisingly I didn't start with the health problems until I had lost a little weight.

These pictures were taken Jan. 8, 2007.

Here are my measurement around that time.

December 1, 2006
Chest 47"
Waist 44 1/2"
Abdomen 53"
Hips 55"
Right thigh 30
Left thigh 29
Right Bicep 18
Left Bicep 18

January 31, 2007
Chest 45 1/2"
Waist 42 1/2"
Abdomen 47"
Hips 52 1/2"
Right thigh 27 1/2"
Left thigh 26 1/2"
Right bicep 15 1/2"
Left bicep 15"

Here are my last measurements
November 27, 2012

Neck 15
Bust 44
Waist 40
Hips 53
Right Arm 17
Left Arm 17
Right Thigh 28
Left Thigh 28
Right Calf 16.75
Left Calf 16.75
Chest 42
Right Forearm 11.5
Left Forearm 10.75

This picture was taken today. It isn't an official photo but maybe it will help me see some difference.
Some differences there! Keep your eyes peeled for more pictures this week and more stats.
The last couple of weeks have been hard with the holidays and I decided that I just wasn't going to torture myself while everyone else ate the goodies. So I just ate what I wanted and made sure I ate healthy. I still ate fudge and cookies and enjoyed them greatly!!

A Quick Update

I have been working hard on this getting in shape thing, but it sure is slow going!! I am so incredibly thankful for friends that are really supportive and encouraging (even if they can be silly--like saying they can't see me because I have lost so much---haha but I am not THAT skinny--YET!!).

I have been lifting weights twice a week, walking/runnning twice a week and clogging twice a week. I am definitely seeing a difference in my strength. The scale as stayed consistently at 238 but that is all the movement I have seen, inspite of my waist line shrinking. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed lifting weights. I look forward to the days I go to lift.

My plan for the rest of the month is to keep on keeping on. The next couple of weeks are going to be hard because the weight room I use will be closed most of the time, there are no clogging classes, and I will have to walk outside and I hate the cold weather! I will probably do alot of yoga. I bought a dress that I hung on the back of my bedroom door as incentive for the month. My goal is to wear it for the New Year.

I will be posting measurements on or around January 1, so if you are following my progress keep an eye out.

There is no stopping me now!!!

I have taken a turn in my journey. In 2007 I started ediets at the time I weighed over 250 lbs. I worked and worked, danced, worked out ate good and lost very little weight so I got discouraged after about a year and gave up. I did the Dr.Li diet for awhile and had some success, (I may even do it again in the near future just for the shear benefit of tightening up my skin) but it was expensive and tiring on many levels. I still sit at around 240 lbs.

Recently I signed up for another online weightloss community that is free and just wasn't feeling it. And on it goes!! No success, discouragement, hopelessness, ugh!!!

Not too long ago I started reading a book entitled 'Younger Next Year'--a must read for everyone! This book has been a major inspiration to me and has changed my life!!!

Then it happened.........

I was at the gym where I coach gymnastics with fellow coaches having a bridal shower for one of our coaches who was getting married. I have felt kinda akward at the gym being overweight and coaching. The others are younger and in a lot better shape. After the shower we all went out into the gym to hang out and I decided to get on a beam, I used a large mat as a step and walked the length of the beam for the first time since I started coaching 2 years ago, that was fun and a little enlightening. It takes core muscles to be able to walk on a beam, guess I don't have much of those!!

This was taken at my second daughter's wedding June 2, 2012. I was about 242 here! Love that face!!




At one point in the evening we were sitting around chatting and someone mentioned something about a girl they new that was working on training for a fitness competition. I commented how cool that was and that it was something that I always wanted to do. Actually as a teen I wanted to be a body builder, but a few years ago I read a book about figure/fitness competition and dieting and thought it looked fascinating and more my speed. I was then asked why I didn't just do it. I replied that I was too out of shape and too old. Which was challenged with an offer of support and training. REALLY?!?!?!?! Yes really!!!! That was the beginning of November or maybe the end of October. I really don't know because the next couple of weeks were a blur. I was told to cut sodas, and breads. I did! I was told to start eating more vegetables. I did! Then the workouts began. I had fun!! My boys moved the weight bench into the house, I dug out the dumbbells and I started lifting weights. I began slowly working into cardio workouts (still not my strong suit). I bought some really cute, really high heels! I started noticing a difference in my posture within a couple weeks so I had my husband measure me. Ok so I am off to a great start. I lost 4 pounds the first week--I am feeling good!! During this time I also joined the online community at bodybuilding.com and made some contacts with women my age and general weight or had been there done that and now looked great! I continued lifting weights, doing alot of toning exercises and eating good, but I wasn't losing weight--I know, I know "Don't step on the scale because it is going to take 60-90 days before you will start losing the weight!!" People were starting to notice that I was changing and a few asked if I had lost weight. Of course I said no, because I hadn't!
Then one day I was whining about the scale not budging and one of the coaches at the gym said but you are slimming down. Ok, ok so I am slimming down but I am not really feeling yet. The next day one of my kids picked up a tape measure and I took from them and measured my waist. I looked down at the tape measure and the emotions were too much to hold back. Through my tears I saw that I had lost 2 and a half inches from waist in two weeks. I had to measure everywhere else and with each measurement I added 2 inches here, inch and a half there........16 inches total! I am getting somewhere!! Lifting weights is doing the trick, wow!!! Now I need to add some cardio to the mix, but I will get there!

Here is the plan, November of 2013 my goal is to stand on a stage in a bikini with a spray tan to be judged on my physique. Yes you heard me right! I have never worn a bikini a day in my life, (wait I think I had one when I was 3 or was it 4) but in November I will wear one not only in public but also on stage. I will also perform a choreographed routine to display my fitness abilities (not in a bikini). I am excited and nervous, but determined to do this! I have some great friends who are supporting me and helping me train as I work out the details of diet and workouts to be able to reach my goals. I have also signed up for a 5k mud run in April as a kind of halfway to my goal reward--it will be great fun!

I have to admit that even in the first month there has been some rocky patches. I made it through Thanksgiving (barely). I have had a pretty rough fibromyalgia flare up that we got worked through pretty quickly and a little bit of a head cold that I was able to kick pretty quickly also. I have not had too much problem with being tempted by sodas and sweets really, which has been a great blessing!

I have to give a lot of thanks and credit to Shawna, Dorothy and Paige. Without these ladies I would not have made it this far. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, coaches, trainers and supporters!! Thanks ladies!! There are several others that have also been supportive and put up with my whining!!

I am in this for the long haul! Anybody want to join me?

Staying motivated

I came across a blog this morning and thought I would share it here. The blogger does a great job of detailing her thoughts on becoming comfortable in your own skin (really comfortable). Here is her post hope you enjoy it as much as I did

http://paleoparents.com/featured/what-losing-135lbs-looks-like/

Years ago I signed up for ediets. I was part of an online community that played the weightloss game together. One of the things that we had to do was set goals and rewards for achieving those goals. I was thinking that I should do that again just to keep myself motivated. Below you can see my goals and rewards. I am terrible about actually getting the rewards for myself because I will end up giving it all to my kids instead.

230 lbs  a pretty hair accessory
220 lbs  a new shirt
200 lbs  a pedicure
190 lbs  a new pair of jeans
180 lbs  a new piece of jewelry
170 lbs  a new hair cut
160 lbs  a CD or movie
150 lbs  a book
130 lbs kayaking with my hubby

So there it is my weightloss goals and rewards. I am bound and determined to make this happen this time around!! So far I am doing ok not stellar but ok! I really wish the pounds would come off a little more consistently instead of up and down a 1/2 to a pound, but I can't complain.

The last few days I have had a really annoying headache that I can't seem to shake. Yesterday I gave into it and bought a Pepsi that I sipped on through the day--that helped a lot. I need to go get some excedrin I think so that I have something to take for the headaches.

I am taking the plunge

A few years ago I found out about Dr. Li in Augusta, GA. He runs a weight loss clinic which uses Chinese herbs along with diet changes as a weight loss program. I signed up and lost quite a bit of weight. I discontinued the program for some strange reason, money, laziness or who knows what got in the way. A days ago my husband and I were discussing our diet and nutrition and came to the decision that I needed to give Dr. Li a call. I placed my order on Saturday and received my herbs on Monday. I was excited to get them so quickly.

 Don't let the bags overwhelm you it really is quite simple to use the herbs. Each little bag is one day's serving of herbs. You simply simmer the herbs in 30 oz of water until you have reduced to about 10 oz, strain off herbs, decant and refrigerate. I went ahead and did three days worth at once, because with my midwifery apprenticeship I need to have some ready to go with me at a moment's notice. I take 4oz mid morning again mid afternoon and then 2oz before bed. Really very easy. There are also water pills that I take with my mid morning dose. Oh yeah there is also lots of water to drink.

Now before you start thinking I am doing some crazy diet let me tell you about Dr. Li. In his country he was a gastroenterologist. This is not not some cooky herbal guy (not that that would matter to me).

I am letting this serve as my before report to everyone interested. That is me in the pink June 2, 2012. I was every bit of 245 pounds in this picture, I am down to 238 as of this post. I have lost 2 lbs just this week after starting the herbs. I am excited to continue this journey and share it with you.

If you are interested in talking to Dr. Li yourself he will work with you over the phone (I live in Oklahoma) give him a call. His number is 706-210-0991. Mention my name, Alyeen Lim, I am pretty sure it will give you (and me) a few dollars savings on your order. If you do call Dr. Li let me know and share your story with me (I can use all the motivation I can get and a little competition never hurt either).

A Community of Mothers

I sat crying as I ate a roast beef sandwich in a sandwich shop while waiting for my third child to take the ACT so that she could finish registering for college classes. Earlier that day I hugged my second child as she and her new husband packed up their things to move an hour and a half away.  How did I get to this point and what happened to my little girls?

I should be able to handle this after all it isn’t my first rodeo. My oldest married 5 years ago. Did I really think the others were never going to grow up? Why didn’t anyone tell me this would hurt my heart so much?  Oh I know they will come home and visit but to not have them around every day is a little more than I can bear at the moment.

The friends I talked to through the day weren’t much help as most don’t have children moving on or maybe just don’t understand my emotionalness, after all don’t we WANT our children to grow up and move out so that we can do the things we have dreamed of doing?  Where is a mother going through the same thing that can sympathize with me? My husband wasn’t much help either. Fathers are too factual I guess.

All this heartache has got me thinking that maybe as women we don’t really spend enough time over tea and crumpets. We are so busy running, teaching, loving and disciplining that we forget that there is another mother, sister, friend that is frustrated with her  11 year old and his lack of thought for others or maybe just needs someone to talk to about that great milestone her 4 year old just reached.  I know I am guilty of being too caught up in my life to stop and take a breath with a friend.

When my babies were still babies a wise grandma told me about the days when the mothers on her block would put their toddlers down for a nap and then take a quiet time on the front porch with a glass of tea. The sight of a woman on her porch was an open invitation to visit and swap stories for just a moment, a break in the day when the stresses of motherhood could be shared and tears and laughter swapped. What have we done with those days? I am sure under all the skinny clothes and baby memories in the back of my closet there is a tea pot with matching cups just waiting to be used again, to once again be the bond between friends and the stress reliever of the day.

In our busy lives we have lost our sense of community. The time long lost when women lifted each other up, swapped recipes and took chicken noodle soup to the mom down the street who had the flu. Grandmas told stories about being young mothers and young mothers called their grandma for advice and support.   

When is the last time you invited a friend over for tea, had a lunch date, or just stopped to call a friend for a much needed chat? I know me too!

This is my commitment to mothers everywhere—I may not have been through what you are going through, but I have a mother’s heart. Whatever your pain, it’s my pain also. I will be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to hear you laugh, and cheerleader when you need someone to celebrate with. My teapot will always be full, and my teacups will always be clean and ready to share with you. When I bring you a casserole when you are sick or have had a baby I will stop and listen to your story of happiness, misery or anything in between. I will be your friend, your sister and not just another mother. 

Camie's Confections

My youngest had the opportunity to set up her business for the day at the Lawton Mall!! Check out her blog to read the whole story!! 

www.camiesconfections.blogspot.comC

My daughter has started her own blog. Here's the link www.camiesconfections.blogspot.com .

She is a aspiring chef and has some awesome creations. Take a look at her blog to see some of her creations!

More art

Art Projects

More Crochet

I have been crocheting more. This is a hat I made for a dear friend who is going through chemo. I think she likes it?!

Just crochet

I have been crocheting a lot lately. This a hat I made for my oldest daughter. I am kind of addicted and almost can't stand not to have a hook in my hand.

Can it really be true?

My youngest daughter turned 13 two days ago and THEN my baby brother hit the big 30. But wait, did I say 'baby brother'? Where has the time gone? I am excited to have him staying with us while he gets on his feet and settles into his new job. I am even more excited to have 2 nieces, a nephew, and a sister in law living close by.

Back to my youngest daughter turning 13. How did that happen? My babies aren't really babies anymore. I always thought I would have at least two more but that didn't seem to be in the stars for us. With the kiddos growing up (and the addition of grandchildren) I have been thinking a lot about journaling lately. Not that I am good at it, but I keep thinking that I will be better about it and it keeps getting put on the back burner for some reason. I love the idea of creative journaling and a few years ago I was involved with eDiets.com and doing some of the challenges on there. We were given journaling topics regularly and I did a pretty good job at keeping up with the assignments. I have a couple of 3 ringed binders full of pages that I made, decorated and wrote all over.

I think I need some accountability in the journaling area. Maybe some ideas for topics and a few friends to keep me motivated through the proccess. Anyone up for some fun journaling?

Time Out for Women Shoe (ahem!) Link party

I thought I would get in on this little link party. It seemed like a pretty good journaling topic---Shoes! Not literally, but rather the many shoes we wear and why and how they fit us. I laughed!! Really? I HAVE to wear shoes!!! My favortie pair of shoes are my rope sandals. I have been known to wear them to church even (hey if the shoe fits wear it!) I have many pairs of you shoes. If you look in my closet you will find high heels, low heels, flip flops, tennis shoes (running shoes to be exact--but don't let that fool you), dance shoes, western boots, dressy boots, sandals, did I say flip flops, dressy sandles, every day sandals. Judging by my closet I guess you would think that maybe I am a woman of many talents. How do these shoes fit into my life?

Let's start with my favorite rope sandals. Casual, comfortable, almost like going barefoot with protection for the bottom of my feet. I garden in them, wear them to coach gymnastics or pair them with a simple skirt and tshirt (my favorite clothing). They are a little hippie and just plain easy and relaxed. (Maybe I need to wear them more often!) My rope sandles are even a little different almost a little rebelious, a go against the flow kinda thing to wear. They don't require much thought. When I need to make a mad dash my rope sandles are the first thing I think to throw on. They are ready at a moments notice. I have 2 pairs of rope sandles. I have to put my several pairs of rope sandals in the same category. It seems that my rope sandals and flip flops are my mom shoes.

My next favorite are my western boots. I mostly wear them when we go dancing. They seem to be my date night shoes and they were a Christmas gift from my husband. Well that explains it! It seems they have some eternal meaning. They will never go out of style and I get to dance with my husband in them. They are my wife shoes--haha!

My high heels are my dressiest shoes. I really don't wear them much, but occasionally I like to get dressed up and walk in heels. Something about heels makes me feel girlie, like playing dress as a little girl. I guess they are my me shoes. (I have 3 pair by the way!)

Then there are the tennis shoes (remember I said they are my running shoes). I would have to include my Dr. Marten mary janes, and my Mudd calic mary janes with these. When I am running kids, errands or meeting with midwives or midwifery clients these are the shoes that you will see me in. Comfortable, durable, supportive, and easy to run in. I think these activities are the ones that I feel like I need the most support with, thus the reason for supportive shoes.

I love shoes, always have. I would have a closet full if I could. My shoes are many as are my interests and activities.