JILLIANISREADY's SparkPeople Blog

First blog in 5 months...!

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:07:51 EST

WHOA!!! I never realized how long it really was since I blogged last... and it was the end of 2012. WOW.. I used to blog every week!! That is just how much I fell off track -- I did keep running on my treadmill during the winter time. I ran a 5k back in March here in Grand Rapids, MI.. it was the Irish Jig and I did it in 44 minutes.

After the 5k -- I just stopped running because the girl I was running with got pregnant and she has been sick so I haven't ran with her. And I don't l...

2012 is almost OVER

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:46:48 EST

Hey all.!! I have not logged into sparkpeple probably the whole month of december. I haven't tracked my food or my exercise -- even though I have been exercising with a WONDERFUl workout partner who only lives like 5 minutes away from me.

We have been running on her treadmill and doing a workout video. While 1 will run on the treadmill the other will do the workout video then we will swap places. It has been working but with the holidays.

The last day I worked out was ...

A new FB page

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:16:25 EST

My friend and I made our own FB page. If you are on there go ahead and search us.

http://www.facebook.com/journeytolose12

1 year on my journey (pictures)

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:27:36 EST

This month I have been on my journey for a year. Lost a total of atleast 10-12lbs. I know not much -- but I KNOW what I am doing wrong and I am going to CORRECT it from here on out.

When I ate this weekend .. I learned to cut down my meals and incorporate veggies/fruit with every meal and I was successful. Friday we had tacos (usually I will eat 3-4 soft shell tacos) BUT on Friday I had 1 soft shell taco with cottage cheese and carrots. I didn't go back for another taco. I was hap...

Hey all!! I'm blogging again.

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:25:31 EST

422
Last time I blogged was over a month ago! Beginning of Sept! That is WAY to long!!! I won't let it happen again!! But I did stay on track with my fitness and I did log in almost daily to SP! So I tracked my fitness and earned my sparkpoints. I would read others blogs as well.

I stayed on track the whole month of September. A BIG thanks to my workout/running partner [[JACKIMARIE2]]. Who has became such a wonderful friend to me. I thank her DAILY for being an awe...

I am not one to usually ask...

Wed, 5 Sep 2012 16:59:48 EST

But I have friends on FB that know this little boy who has Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy -- I am going to post a link and it will being you to the page to tell you about it.

http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.
asp?ievent=1038137&lis=1&kntae1038137=
1EA66FC148434D0FB0E221CDC09D29CE&login=t

I am not one to usually ask but I am asking for a little donation if possible. I don't know him personally but I have friends that know the mom or him, I have some friends ...

Its a new month -- time for new plans!

Mon, 3 Sep 2012 14:13:18 EST

Let me start off by saying that the last week of August was HORRIBLE for me. We ate out more than we ate at home. Mainly fast food or pizza. Ugh. I feel gross. I can definately tell how horrible that food makes me feel.! I didn't exercise the last week n a half in August! That's now been 13 DAYS!!!! Thats toooo many for me. The most I went was atleast 5 days without execise (from thursday to monday) I went August 23 to Sept 3rd without exercise. But I am NOT blaming anybody but MYSELF. I am t...

Update (with progress pictures)

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 15:58:14 EST

Hey all!! How have you been?!! I hope wonderful. I have been on the website lately -- just no blogging or anything.

First of all -- I still haven't heard back after my 2nd interview. They told me they would contact me by the end of the week (which I guessed was thursday or friday) They never got ahold of me .. so I called friday and left a message. So I still hope and pray they call this week.

I decided I need to start weighing myself weekly again. I need to start doing ...

Amazing story...

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:21:42 EST

I have my local news on my FB like many of you probably do .. I just saw this story. They say it is making national attention. I wanted to share it with all of you.

I just think it is more amazing. Even with delopmental disabilties people still have a way to change people around them...

http://www.fox17online.com/sports/fox17-
father-quits-smoking-starts-running-25
ks-after-daughter-inspired-his-workout
s-20120509,0,656984.story

Leave your thoughts/c...

The color run (with pics)

Sun, 5 Aug 2012 20:58:26 EST

Today I did the color run with some friends. It was so much fun.! I loved the fact that it wasn't timed and it was all about having fun. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked but after words my hands were dirty and I didn't want to get my phone or camera dirty. But here are some I had the hubby take for us.

The only thing was -- I had to pee the whole run and I thought they would have had portapotties along the way but there wasn't. But we made it through the run!! <...

Hey SparkFriends.!!

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 21:11:55 EST

My cousin recently joined this wonderful website. And I thought maybe some of you could add her to help her through her journey and show her the support you show me!

SANURAG

Thanks a bunch!! Your all wonderful.

7 days without ...

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:14:52 EST

any pop or soda. and I am loving it.! I know I can do it again. But since I have been off pop -- I feel like I want more sweets for some reason.. has that happened to anybody before? What are some ways I can stop those cravings. I have been eating way more than I should be.

I also haven't weighed myself in about 2-3 weeks because I know the scale will be up and I don't want to see what it has to say. But I will start my weekly weigh-ins this weekend again.

The last coupl...

July is almost over..

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 20:29:20 EST

Hey all!! It has been awhile since I blogged. I found my camera to take updated progress pictures yesterday.

&& It has been 5 days since I been off pop/soda again!! I been making me ice tea and big jugs of water.!

I went for my last run on Friday and I have to admit .. it was my best run yet. I know everybody tells me not to worry about my speed or how fast I get done. But I keep track of it for myself, so I know my own progress. I usually run 1 mile in 15-17 minutes. W...

My NSV today...

Mon, 9 Jul 2012 21:19:34 EST

Well it has been 1 week since I have been out on the trail for a run. My last one was last Monday (7-2) and I did 3.01 miles in 55.20 minutes. Slow but yet it was hot out that day. But atleast I was out there.

Now this past week when It was over 95-100 degrees outside .. I could have used my basement for my workouts/walks. My treadmill or my elliptical. But did I? Nope.. and Im not sure why .. I just don't think I like working out indoors -- it gets lonely in the basement by mysel...

103 degrees tomorrow...

Thu, 5 Jul 2012 22:19:30 EST

in Michigan?! Today it was 100 degrees. We are SO not used to this weather. I have not exercised or worked out since earlier this week and I'm not even worried about it. I will get back on track as soon as this HOT HOT weather goes away. I do enjoy this kind of weather -- but it just might be a little tooo hot. I have been working on getting my pool clear .. I am SOO taking a swim in it tomorrow.! Today I had to do the last chemicals to it .. tomorrow it should be good to go.

I ca...

I finally made it to ....

Sun, 1 Jul 2012 20:02:10 EST

ONEderland!! Last sunday June 24th I decided I was going to start my weekly weigh in's again. I weighed in at 198. WHATT????????? Did I just say that? 198....? Yes I did. I stepped on the scale 6 times AND after my shower to make sure! I even took a picture.

Today when I weighed in 7/1/2012 -- it was 199.7 -- but still under 200lbs. But I know I have been eating out a lot lately!! Which is stopping today...

Happy Memorial Day!!

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:21:46 EST

First of all I want to say thank you to the men and women who serve this country day after day, month after month, year after year. I don't think we can thank you enough.

Anyway-- I have been getting back on track -- I went for a run 4 days last week a totol 6-7 miles. whoo hoo. Here are some pictures from my run.

This was from last Monday 5-21. I ran 2.07 miles in 32:03. My average speed was 3.87.
...

Time to get back on track!

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:27:06 EST

I was going to add this in my last blog -- but I had to cut it short because I was watching my niece.

But the new job is going good. It is a factory -- so as good as can be expected. My husband works in plant 1 -- I work in plant 2. I LOVE the first shift schedule. I love getting out at 3:30 and being able to do just whatever for the rest of the day. I should be using my time to exercise-- but I spent this week getting used to it and VERY MUCH OFF TRACK.

42 ...

5k and various things...

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:27:34 EST

As you may have remembered .. I ran my first 5k Saturday with my friend Rachel (also on SP). We signed up for the 7am heat.

Friday I didn't get out of work until 11:30pm then I was home by 11:45ish-- I was tossing and turing all night long. Then the alarm went off for 5:15 and I hit snooze a couple times .. then realized it was 5:40 and I need to get up and get dressed and wake the hubby up! So we rushed out the door and met Rachel and her husband about 6:00-6:15am at her house. H...

Race day tomorrow!!

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:52:14 EST

I am getting a little nervous and excited for tomorrow.

I work tonight from 3 to 11:30pm then come home and get a few hours of sleep. I have to be up by 5:30ish and be at Rachel's house by 6ish -- so we can get downtown and get lined up. I just think this will lead the doors to a few more 5k's this summer! I am very excited to be achieving this goal -- even if i don't run the whole thing -- just to finish a 5k was a goal of mine last summer and now I am going to achieve it!! That ...

Graduated && my first 5k coming up!!

Tue, 8 May 2012 13:58:08 EST

I graduated on Friday night!! We started at 7pm and were done by 8:30ish. Then I went to Applebee's to celebrate with the family. So I know I am not 200lbs anymore ... maybe add like 3lbs now.. haha!! I haven't weighed myself since but I am getting in all my water and workouts in.. so we will see on Saturday when I do my weigh in. But it was a very nice night. My mom got me a gift .. she got me a workout tank top and shorts .. but the shorts are big (XL) and I have to exchange them for a diff...

Is ONEderland right around the corner?!

Thu, 3 May 2012 14:07:23 EST

This picture is from my run on Wednesday. I realized by the time I got in the car I didn't take a picture... so I took one then. haha. We had some storms/rain here in the morning but by the time I got out of work at 4pm. It was sunny and HOT and humid with a little wind. It was so nice. I decided to go running with a cousin at 5pm. It was my first time running with this kind of weather-- hot and a little humid. It was pr...

A little NSV for me...

Tue, 1 May 2012 20:56:38 EST

I was able to run/jog [[whatever you want to call it haha]] 1.6 miles STRAIGHT! I think I could have went the 2 whole miles but on my way back I finally caught up the hubby and the doggy (as you can see they are behind me in the picture). So I started walking slower with them .. then realized I was still tracking myself so I picked up my speed a little bit. But I was EXCITED!! I was only able do 1 mile ...

First day at new job.

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:59:11 EST

First off .. I graduate FRIDAY at 7pm!! WHOO HOOO.

&& 2nd .. my FIRST 5k is in 12 days!! getting nervous. haha

This is a picture I did after the 30 day shred level 2 on Sunday. I just can't say enough how much I love this level. It is such a challange and I love it.! It makes me sweat so much -- I had to do it in my sports bra the other day because I was getting a little hot && it was really chilly to leave the door open haha.

ripped & zumba

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:23:31 EST

I was checking my email yesterday and decided to go through a folder and delete stuff. I came across the calender our zumba instructor sent out to us for the April Schedule. I looked on it and noticed her R.I.P.P.E.D class was Tuesday (today) 7-8pm when it used to be 6-7. && ZUMBA is Wednesday from 7-8pm. I thought to myself how badly I miss those 2 and money has been tight lately and I haven't been able to attend. But I work 3-6 everyday so I am able to get out of work and go home get change...

job searching never ends.

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:33:40 EST

This is more of a venting blog. You don't have to read if you don't want to. I keep looking and applying for Medical Assistant jobs atleast 2-3 times a week. Nothing new has come up .. I have applied for all the ones around Grand Rapids. I understand I am fresh out of school and I have little expierence but how am I going to get that expierence if nobody will hire me? I am able to take my certification exam after June 1st. I just have a feeling it will be after I get my certification -- then ...

April pictures & progress

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:03:25 EST

So all this week I didn't track my food && I didn't eat breakfast. I weighed myself this morning for the Spring 5% Challenege and I was up 3lbs from last week :(. Well I did get some cereal and milk for breakfast (because I don't like eggs all that much).. and yesterday I started tracking my meals again. I know that makes a difference after not doing it for a week. It really does help me -- So i need to make sure I do that DAILY.

I have been drinking lots of water!! I love my water...

Running Apps for andriod?

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:44:55 EST

Hey! I have an andriod phone and would like to know if any of you use an app for tracking your distance and time? I tried one called Sports Tracker -- but it always cut off atleast a quarter mile of my distance. I am trying out another one today called MapMyRun+ -- I hope it is a little bit accurate.

What ones have you tried that work the best for you?!

NSV!!!!

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 10:28:23 EST

Well I have 2 NSV--

yesterday was when I went to Fashion bug and tried on a pair of capri's ... I didn't buy them but I had time before work to try them on. I grabbed a pair of 16 and a pair of 14 .. once I got to the dressing room .. I thought to myself .. I am going to try on the 14 that way if i get discouraged I know the 16 will fit me.. well the 14 FIT and they were LOOSE on me. It was a different brand than I tried on before .. Zandi or something like that? But I was excited...

April goals...

Mon, 2 Apr 2012 23:45:49 EST

First of all-- last night I went to the Winter Jam Tour at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. For those of you that never heard of it-- it is a big group like 7-10 Christian Rock/Rap bands that come together and play for 47 different cities in 47 nights. Grand Rapids was the final stop last night and I was able to go with a friend. Now I don't attend church regularly but I DEFINATELY do believe in God! I pray every night before I go to bed. But this concert was SO MUCH FUN. Just listening t...

No more....

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:33:45 EST

time for excuses. Today I acutally remotivated a couple of my friends to get out there and start running/walking again. They were having some off days and I was able to help lift them up! It felt amazing to hear that I was motivating to them-- just from talking to them online! I am READY to see changes (I notice my shirts are getting loose, but my pants stay the same.. ugh). No more excuses-- I need to eat at home daily, stop junk food, find healthier choices for snacks && I will reach my go...

Today is ...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:43:53 EST

My 1 year sparkvarsary!!! It has been one year since I have been introduced to this website. At first I didn't know what to think of it .. I played around while I figured it out. After I figured it out -- I introduced it to some friends.

I think I have come along way from when I first started. I have learned portion control-- I might not do it as often as I should, I know what it is. I started cooking/making more vegtables and fruit with my meals. The hubby even likes them now. It ...

Updated progress pictures.

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:01:13 EST

My side view all the way through march. (I skipped February due to externship and not exercising that month). I am paying for it now -- and I am getting back to my routine!

Front view.

Comparing Janurary to March.

I lost my mir...

It has been awhile...

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:49:50 EST

As of last Tuesday I was done with my externship!! It went really well. I learned a lot while I was there. I just started this week applying for MA jobs around my area. When my friend (Laura) was down I applied for monday evening and I already got a reply from the place I applied saying she wants to schedule an phone interview. So that is good news.

I am working now 3 to 6pm. So I get out from work a little bit earlier and I LOVE it. I have been going for walks with the husband an...

it is march already???

Fri, 2 Mar 2012 22:43:35 EST

I can't believe it is March already!! I remember saying at the beginning of Feb. that it was going to be one long month because of my externship-- and now I only have 2.. yes 2 days left!!! I am excited-- I have come along way. I am getting more comfortable talking on the phone, I have done blood draws and feeling more comforable doing those, taking vitals and just talking with the patients that come in. I will feel even more comfortable after I am able to get a job in the field where I can d...

ready for things to slow down..

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:16:23 EST

Hey all!! I hope you are all doing wonderful. I know I am doing good. I have about 1 week left. I will be working all week next week then on friday have about 4-5 hours to catch up. I am excited. This has been quite an expierence for me. I will blog after I am completely done.!!

I have been gone every day from 8am to 8pm-- it is tiring after a while. I am ready for things to slow down a bit. I haven't been exercising like I should (it would help me be awake and feel better though) ...

First run in MONTHS...

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 21:55:04 EST

and it felt really good. I hope this weather in Michigan stays like today was until it is spring time. I am ready to start training myself for a 5k.

I took a look back at my goals from January and I only reached 2 of them. But still 2 is better than none at all. I rewrote some for February-- I really want to stop drinking pop and stop eating junk food-- I don't eat it very much but when I do I like a lot of it. I will be successful this month with my goals. I weighed myself this mo...

The Color Run...

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 22:09:07 EST

A friend of mine posted about The Color Run-- it is in big cities all over the US. I just wasn't sure if some of you have heard about it .. maybe you live near one of these cites and could get people together to run the 5k? Here is the website:

http://thecolorrun.com/

The one closest to me would be the Chicago 5k-- I am thinking about doing it with another friend of mine. So if anybody is interested-- let me know :).

If you have done it before-- I would love ...

looking back on my goals...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:02:22 EST

It is almost the end of January and I want to look back at my goals I wrote down. && I am going to see if I have been meeting those goals or not. If I haven't I need to re-evaluate my plans.

42 workout for 30 minutes or more a day treadmill & SP videos.
I am no longer sick. I should have no excuse to not to work out. I did some cleaning today. So starting my videos tomorrow morning.!!

42 walk 1 mile a day on treadmill or 5 miles a week.
I ...

was M.I.A but now I am back!

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:09:36 EST

Well I have been MIA for a couple days-- haven't been on the computer much! Because on tuesday the husband and I both got really sick. We had the flu that has been going around-- the one with no fever and you can't keep anything down! If anybody gets it-- here is something called ORT (oral re-hydration therapy)-- my aunt gave me the recipe .

You boil 1 quart water. You mix with it 4 tsp sugar and 1/2 tsp salt, let it cool, drink about 4-6 ounces at a time. It taste nasty but it wor...

a letter to myself....

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:18:24 EST

Dear Jillian--

I just want to tell you a few things I have noticed. You keep saying you want to be successful in your weight loss journey. You need to start being serious. You need to be true to yourself.! Losing 1 inch in 1 month is good-- those inches add up. Time to be serious.

You keep saying you want to stop drinking you pop, that it gives you heartburn. I know you have stopped drinking it before-- so just do it again!! I know you have the will power to stop-- all i...

Measurements & Pictures

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:38:23 EST

Hey all! Today I was suppose to measure myself for the monthly update.

In December I was:
Waist- 45
Hips- 47
Thigh- 24.5
Upper arm- 12.25

This January I measured
Waist- 44
Hips 45.25
Thigh- 23.5
upper arm- 11.25

There isn't a big loss. But it is a start. I can see a difference in the shirts that I wear-- my jeans are still tight but I am working on that. I also took some new pictures.

Day 33

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:46:46 EST

Hey spark friends. Since I have been on break-- I haven't been doing much working out on my treadmill. But I have been playing the kinect-- which is better than nothing.. right? So tonight the husband has been sleeping since I got home from work at 7:30-- but its okay .. he's on 10 hours everyday and he stayed after 1-2 hours today. He deserves to sleep.

So today my sister-in-law came over and we did a little 'photoshoot'. It was fun. Here are a few photos.