Sunday, December 30, 2012

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!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

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?