Pictures

June 9, 2011

September 16, 2011

June 9, 2011

September 16, 2011

June 9, 2011

September 16, 2011

I wanted to update my new measurements with new pictures, too!  It was a little overcast today so the brightness of the pictures are different and it's a little hard to see details like the first ones.  I wore the same pants and was going to wear the same shirt but decided that it wasn't that big of a deal.  The pictures don't "scream" change, but I can see overall results!

Today I didn't work and I wasn't going to make a special trip to S.C. just to go to the gym.  I decided I wanted to dig my bike out and go for a bike ride.  My initial intentions were to ride my bike to Mapleton (6-7 miles) and meet my friend, Kylee, to go for a walk, then ride my bike back home.  Well, the walk wasn't going to workout and I was initially bummed because I really wanted to try to make it to Mapleton, but I decided that I'd go for a bike ride anyways.  I called up my friend, Mindi, to see what she was up to.  She was going to be around... now I have a "reason" to go to Mapleton!  I got my bike out and the tires were really low.  Probably because it hadn't been touched in at least a year.  I got Jeremy to air them up... since I don't really know how to make the air compressor run.  I dug my helmet out and spent about a half hour adjusting it to make sure it fit right.  I downloaded a couple songs and made a little play list of my current favorites.  I grabbed my cell and a little cash just in case I needed to stop for something to drink when I arrived.  I was finally on my way!  I rode a couple blocks and had to stop to adjust my seat height.  By the way, my legs are still sore from Wednesday!  I'm not sure if it's from the Group Power class or riding the bike at the gym so much... probably a combination of the two.  It was pretty chilly out today but I wore a hoodie and was pretty comfortable.  I got about a mile or so outside of town and stopped because I wanted to adjust the seat height again.  Something just didn't feel right.  I thought the seat had been slipping down or something.  When I stopped, I realized what I thought I had noticed before... my back tire was pretty low again.  I don't know if it just didn't get aired up enough, there was a leak, or the temperature outside was causing it to go down.  Whatever reason it was I knew I wasn't going to make it to Mapleton and headed back to Danbury.  The way back was worse I think.  The wind was coming at me from my right side and was blowing my pants into my chain, I felt like the wind picked up, my legs were burning, and I was nervous about the status of my tire.  I made it home but was a little bummed that I didn't get to go further.  In hindsight, it's probably a good thing because I'm not sure if I would have made the whole trip.  I think that it's going to have to be something I work up to... or try on a more temperate day.  I was still out riding for about a half hour, though! ...I should measure my trip because it must be more than a mile out of town.  I can't imagine that I only rode 2 miles in a half hour.

This weekend I have to work and it's also my birthday on Sunday!  I'm not sure what I will get in for workouts this weekend.  I could go to the gym tomorrow morning but I don't really want to have to make two trips to and from Sioux City.  Sunday I could go before work but I think I want to spend as much time at home with everyone before I have to go to work.  I really should do something this weekend since I have to weigh in on Monday.  I'm trying really hard to get as close as I can to a 4-5 lb loss.  We'll see what happens!

Feelin' the Burn

Yesterday, I went to Group Power, one of the classes the Y has.  My friend, Jodi, is the instructor for it so I thought it'd be a good one to go to.  Plus, I was thinking I should start incorporating weights into my schedule and I'm not super comfortable hanging in the weight lifting equipment area yet.  I don't know why, I didn't have a problem at the Rec Center but I feel kinda self conscious at the Y.  I also think that in my limited time I would rather get in as much cardio as possible.  I know that building muscle helps with weight loss, too, that's why I thought I should start going to the Group Power class, when I can.  Yesterday, at the class, I thought most of it was pretty easy and that I should add more weight next time... aside from the shoulder exercises!... I definitely felt the burn there!  After class I did a little on the bike- crushed my previous personal best time on one of the 1 mile courses by 9 seconds.  It doesn't really seem like much but I was pretty worn out from the class and the first bike course I did, so, I was pretty pumped.  After that, I did about 20 minutes on the elliptical.  I decided that since I hadn't had lunch yet I would treat myself to Sushi.  I haven't been to this place before and have been wanting to try it.  I got salmon and it was delicious!!  I was WAY under my points yesterday, but I didn't feel deprived at all.  Although, I did come home from work and have some cake that was left over from the girls birthday... still under daily points though.  This morning I'm feeling the burn from yesterday.  The tops of my thighs are burning and my shoulders are sore.  It's a good burn though! :)

I decided to take measurements again.  The last time I did was the first part of June, before I started the 30DS.  I will have to take pictures again like I did then.  But for now, here are the measurements:

Rt arm: 18 1/2" (-1")
Lt arm: 17 3/4" (-3/4")
Rt Thigh: 31" (0)
Lt Thigh: 31" (0)
Rt Calf: 19 1/2" (-3/4")
Lt Calf: 19" (-1)
Chest: 55 3/4" (-2 1/2")
Upper Waist (smallest): 48 3/4" (-5 1/4")
Lower Waist (at belly button): 57" (-2 1/4")
Hips (biggest part): 50" (-3/4")
Symphysis to Sternum: 27"

I'm pretty excited about the loss!  The first one I did was my right arm and I thought, I couldn't have lost 1" on my arm?!  I put the tape measure to the previous measurement and looked at what it was... that's pretty awesome to be able to visualize the progress!  The best was the chest measurement!  I put the tape out to the previous measurement and can not imagine that just a few months ago my chest was that much bigger!  Now, the upper waist measurement I was confused by.  I'm not exactly sure where I measured last time because I just can't imagine that I've lost over 5" in that area!  Just so I'm clear next time, this time I measured in the area a couple inches under my bra line.  I also wanted to make sure I noted that I did all measurements standing and when doing the legs I put my weight on that leg.  I read somewhere that that is how you are supposed to measure your legs.  Oh, and I took my chest measurement with a bra on.  I also added a measurement.  Once before I took this measurement and I hope I can find it because I would love to see how it has changed.  This measurement is something I may have made up but since I have such a big belly, I figured it'd be a good way to measure how it's shrinking.  This measurement is from my symphysis, following my skin all the way to my sternum.  It's pretty much the same measurement they do when you are pregnant and they measure your uterus... only I'm measuring my belly.  I will have to take some pictures, too!  I have noticed the T-shirts I wear are a lot looser, which makes me smile! :)  I guess now I know why!  I've lost 2 1/2" in my chest and 2 1/4" in my waist! 

YMCA!

So, I joined the gym last Tuesday!  It has been a great week of working out.  I got up (really) early Tuesday morning so I could join and workout before I had to go to work.  I got there at about 6:15am and was all signed up in about 15 minutes.  He was pretty shocked when I walked in that early and wanted to join... he said it was the earliest he has ever started someone!  I jumped right in and started on the elliptical.  It took me a few minutes to figure out the TV thing but I think I about have it mastered now.  After I did about 25 minutes or so on the elliptical, I went on the treadmill for 10-15 minutes... I had to start getting ready to go to work.  I felt pretty good the rest of the day, but I was tired.  I'm not used to getting up at 4:45am!  The next day I went after work and started a new thing, the Expresso Bike!  I really like this thing!  It's a stationary bike that is very similar to a real bike.  The handlebars move and it's hooked up to a system that you can go through and ride paths.  As you go up hills the resistance gets harder and you have to turn around corners, just like you would a real bike.  The first day I signed in as a guest but the next day I decided to make an account.  I have done it three times now and it is so fun!  It keeps track of your times and the next time you do that trail you can race against your best time.  It really helps to make me go fast and work hard!  I am usually sweating about 2 minutes in... the first day I forgot a towel and the sweat ran down my face and over my nose, as I breathed out the sweat would go flying... lol!  Saturday, I took the kids.  Since Brayden is in Kindergarten he actually has to have a membership to go into the youth center (where the older kids go to hang out.)  I did the math and it's cheaper to just get him a day pass when he goes instead of getting a family membership.  The girls went to the child watch room.  I actually expected a little bit of whining when they realized I was leaving but I think as soon as they saw the other kids and all the toys, they completely forgot I existed! haha!  They were off and having fun, so, I took Brayden over to the youth center, which is just next door.  That room has tons of fun things for kids his age to do and he went right to the Foosball table to play.  I went off and started with the bike for 30 min, then the elliptical for 30 min, then went to the pool!  I was pretty excited to do the lap swimming.  I think I only swam 1 time this summer that I can remember and it was a couple weeks ago in a friends pool.  I love swimming!  I remember one summer when I was a kid I went to the pool every single day.  I have never really lap swam before but it was pretty nice.  There were a few others swimming, too.  I had to stop after each lap, but I was OK with that.  I tried to make my breaks only a few seconds or so.  The weirdest part was that I think I was sweating.  I'm not sure if I've ever really sweat in a pool before.  Maybe it was just leftover from before, I don't know.  I did learn a very important lesson though.  I did not have goggles and I opened my eyes a lot under water so I could make sure I was going straight.  When I left my vision was so blurry.  We went in the morning and the rest of the day my vision was blurry and I felt very strange, almost sick.  We went to Wal-mart right after the Y to get a few things and I bought some goggles.

During the week, I was pretty upset about what was going on with my body.  I knew how much I was working out and I was doing a decent job at tracking my foods, but I went and did a quick scale check in MRI and I had actually GAINED a couple pounds!  I could not figure it out!  I spent the next couple days with that on my mind thinking that it was crazy and impossible.  Finally, it occurred to me that I had forgotten a few things that I had not been tracking.  I hadn't been tracking my fluids!  I usually don't have to worry about tracking my fluids because I usually only drink water or diet pop.  The beginning of the week I bought some TruMoo, the chocolate milk that is supposed to be a lot better and less sugar than the regular chocolate milk.  I wanted to try it and I occasionally buy chocolate milk as a treat for the kids.  We always half it with regular milk, so it's not as thick and it also makes it last longer.  I also had read that chocolate milk is a good thing to drink after a workout.  In 2-3 days I had been drinking milk and not tracking it at all.  I also had had some ice cream one night and failed to track it and one day I had a handful of M&M's.  I thought I had been doing so well and had blanked out all the foods that were holding me back.  I had used up all of my "free" points for the week in a matter of 2-3 days!  I made sure to pay extra close attention to tracking everything the rest of the week.  I also decided to track my activity and earned 58 points in the gym!  That doesn't include my work yesterday of throwing hay bales yesterday while we baled hay.

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited to see, today, what my weeks work has done!
*Update*  I'm down 4.4 lbs.  I'm pretty happy considering last week I was sitting at a gain!... and I weighed in jeans.  4.4 lbs in two weeks is pretty awesome. :)  Although, I hope I can lose about that this week.

Wedding Countdown

4 weeks 6 days until the wedding that I am going to be in!  To reach my goal, I'd like to lose about 17 lbs by then.  I am pretty motivated, so I think it's possible!  Actually, I don't really know where I sit right now with my weight because I weigh in on Monday's.  (I do sneak in a few weigh-in's now and then in MRI but since the scales are about 5 lbs different it makes it hard.)  Since it was last weeks weight (316.4), if you do the math, I only have to lose about 3 lbs a week... I can do that!  I just REALLY want to be under 300 lbs by then.  It's every really heavy person's goal to get to change that first number of you're weight and I hope that I can do it twice!

I think this week I am going to join the YMCA in South Sioux City.  A couple weeks ago I did a little tour and it's a really nice place.  I worked at the Y when it was downtown and liked going there, so, I've always been drawn to they Y.  I have been thinking for quite awhile that I want to join but didn't know if I'd use the membership enough to make it worthwhile.  Luckily, they Y gives discounts to Mercy employees so I get $7 off my monthly membership and they waive the joining fee... which is really nice.  My goal is to be able to go before work when I work 3-11's and before/after work (depending on Jeremy's work schedule) when I work 8-4's.  I want to take advantage of some of they group classes they have to offer... my friend, Jodi, is a teacher for one of the classes so I'll probably check out that class.  I have been dying to swim recently so I think I'm going to do some swimming in the lap pool, too.  Oh!  They have treadmill's, elliptical's, and bike's with TV's built right into the machine!  I know, I know... this is probably old technology but I think it's really neat!  The rec center I used to go to didn't have that stuff!  An awesome thing they have that was hard with the rec center is they have a child watch!  So, I'm thinking on Saturday mornings when Jeremy is sleeping from work and we need something to do to make sure the house is quite for him... we can to to the gym!  I just have to decide when I'm going to join.  I think I might join this week.  I really think going to the gym will help me in a lot of ways.  Besides helping me reach my fitness goals, I think it would help me relieve a lot of stress.  I always feel better after going to the gym.  It's a combination of a feeling of accomplishment and also the time to myself to just be able to think is great.  I get a lot of thinking time in my car but it's not the same, I don't think.  So, possibly, Tuesday I will have an update about my first morning at the gym! :)

You may have noticed that I changed my beginning weight.  I decided to do that because the weight I had as my beginning weight was the weight I was at when I started this blog, which was the weight I was at at the beginning of the weight loss challenge I was in.  My heaviest weight was about 360 lbs (maybe even over that.)  I have always used that weight as my heaviest weight so, I decided to change it on here.  Actually, when I was pregnant with the twins I was heavier than 360lbs... I have no idea how much though because after I couldn't get weighed on the regular scale in the room and had to be walked to a different scale (one that had to have weights added on to make it accurate...how embarrassing!) I stopped paying as close attention to remembering... basically I blocked it all out of my mind because it was horrible.  I don't think it was much over 360 lbs, though.  I always figured when I got to my goal weight I would ask.