Update and Pictures

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Well I haven't been stopping by a lot lately and I do miss it here! I have been trying to be outside and active, hoping that will help the scale move, but at the same time I know i need my spark to keep me grounded. It's a catch 22!

While the scale isn't moving, I think there is a noticeable difference in the way I look from October/November to now, and I've stayed in the same 3-5 pounds. Everyone keeps telling me it must be things shifting and muscle building then so lets hope so.

Here is what has been happening over here lately:

I graduated on May 7th! yay!



I volunteered with Girls on the Run from March - May and at the end of May I ran my first 5k with them! woot!


www.girlsontherun.org/theprogram.htm
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Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning programs for girls age eight to thirteen years old. The programs combine training for a 3.1 mile running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the programs are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development.



June 11th was my 100k bike event with Tour de Cure to raise money and awareness for diabetes. my 100k (62miles) turned into 70miles due to some bad maps and directions, however it was a really nice day outside, really pretty roads, nice people on the ride, so it was a lot of fun! I also didn't cramp up or die, so that was also good!



On July 17th my good friend at work Stephanie finally got married! My husband Rick and I had a blast at her wedding.





Anyways, I've been trying to eat right, keep active, and not get frustrated that the weight isnt moving and just stay positive that ONE DAY I will get to go to Harry Potter Land*.

*Disclaimer: Reward for loosing 100lbs is visiting Universal Studios in Orland, FL and going to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, otherwise referred to by Tara as "Harry Potter Land". Reward will not be given until 100lbs is lost, no matter how awesome Harry Potter Land seems. 100lbs will come off eventually.

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1 year SparkVersary! (with stats & pictures)

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Thank you Spark People! 1 Year Ago I weighed 75 pounds more, I wasn't able to easily go up a flight a stairs, bend down to put on my shoes, taking a walk with my dog was exhausting and more. Life was daunting.

A few months later when the weather broke and I started riding my bike I couldn't even go a mile. But with the strong mindset behind SP, I kept at it, going a little further each time. Until in July I could bike to work - 8 miles one way! By October I did Bike4BreastCancer which was 24 miles! Now I am working towards Tour De Cure in June which will be a Metric Century - 100 km (62 miles).

I have reached so many goals I didn't think I could. Not just weight loss goals, but fitness goals, learning to like and enjoy fitness, being more adventurous, and more.

I attended a cardio blast work out class with some work friends the other night - something I would have never done a year ago!

I have been promoted at work - something I give credit in part to the fact I am dressing better, have lost weight, have more confidence, have clear goals, and am happier.

There is so much more I want to say but I can't find the words!

2/1/10
250lbs
pants: 24/26
top: 2X
bra: 44DD

2/1/11
176-178lbs
pants: 12/14
top: M-L
bra: 40D

I have been kind of stalled the last few weeks-months but it's okay! I've almost lost 75lbs, and I know I will loose the next 26lbs soon! These winter months with school and work have been tough, so I'm hoping once the weather breaks and I can be more active outside as well it will be easier to get those pounds off. However, I havent gained back during this time so I am happy with that.


PICTURES:

BEFORE:

December 2008


June 2009


December 2009 (two months before starting with SP)


(bottom left)


NOW:
October 2010 getting ready for a friend's wedding


December 2010 with my cousin's baby Cooper


December 2010 out with my cousins


TODAY 2/3/11


I cut 11 inches off my hair at the end of December and donated it to Wigs4Kids http://www.wigs4kids.org/





Thank you everyone I have gained inspiration from, talked to, learned from, gotten support from, leaned on, and more during this past year. SparkPeople has unbelievably great resources, people, and more. I look forward to the next year of learning and growing!

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Picture Comparison

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

It helps me a lot to see how far I have come in pictures. Over the Christmas - New Year week I met up with my cousins (one who lives out of state) again and I realized the opportunity to get a picture of us to compare to the last time we were all together.

I'm on the left in both pictures. I'm no longer the size of both of my cousins put together, my cousin can easily put her arm around me, it just looks much better!

2/1/10-12/28/10 that is what almost 11 months on Spark does!



Click here for full size image: tinypic.com/r/27x1ca1/7

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Plateau...?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

So, I've been very reluctant to say it, think it, admit it, let other people use the term....but I think after a month I might have to. I may have hit a dry spell. A wall. A ...plateau.

11/3 I had hit -69.7 (lets call it 70 to be nice folks), and the week after lost again. However the two weeks after that I went up 1lb each week. It was TOM & then I had some problems with some medications so I'm trying to not freak out, however, the fact that I am no closer to being -80 after a month, in fact I am less close to really being -70 after a month is really starting to hurt.

We will see what tomorrow's weigh day brings, however I am starting to get frightened!

To rejuvenate I went and finally bought The Spark as a local bookstore is (sadly) going out of business so I was able to get a good deal. Reading it is motivating me. I have started the 10minutes a day fitness challenge personally and the official challenge on here. I started re-entering my food on Sunday, which I had woefully gotten away from.

Long time sparkers...I need your help. Besides getting back on the plan essentially, any other words of wisdom? I have come this far! I can not let the fire die! -70(ish...) is awesome, however is nowhere near my first goal (-100) and in reality not near my final goal (to then reevaluate, tone, etc).

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review 10/22-10/28 -- November Goals begin!

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Friday Oct 22 - Thurs Oct 28

GOAL MET! Do great on my history midterm!
For how confusing my teacher is when he lectures, I'm happy with my 88/100.

GOAL MET! Go for a bike ride
I forgot to pick something up on my way home one night, so rather than jumping back in the car, I got out my good friend Mr Bike and biked the 1 mile there and then 1 mile back from the drug store.

NOT MET! Use my bike trainer

GOAL MET! Go for a walk
Jaxson finally got his stitches out, he had surgery on his left back leg this time, so I took him for a nice 1+mile walk to get his crazies out

GOAL MET! Swim zumba!
I heart zumba!

GOAL MET HALFWAY! Log 3/7 days of eating
I logged 2/7 days so I'm trying to get back in the habit. I know logging my food and working out in the morning during these cold months are going to be my keys to success! I am still making good food choices and stay in a rhythm I think of how much to eat but I know how easy it is to let calorie amounts get away from you so logging is important!
We have been without our laptop for a bit, so its been hard doing everything from my blackberry or our ooollldddd slow desktop.


Goals set on 10/3/10:
Monthly October Goals:
NOT MET!*1,000 Fitness Minutes
I believe I only got in the 5-600 minute range. School/work/weather is bringing me down! I must conquer!

GOAL MET! *Reach 180 pounds by 11/3/10
- weighed in this AM at 180.3 so I'm going to say Goal Met! This brings me to -69.7 currently!
I had set a bigger goal in July to be -75 lbs by now so at 175 however at the beginning of October I saw my pace has been slowing down so I knew that wasn't realistic.

November 1-7 Monday - Sunday

Work out in the morning once
Log food 3/7 times
Ride bike on trainer

November Goals:
Hit 600 fitness minutes
Reach 175lbs by 12/1/10

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