Stress Free is the Way to Be!

Well, it has been a few months since I've updated this. It's about 5 months since my last post, and I lost a little over 10 pounds. Slow and steady wins the race.  I have been really taking care of my mental stability now. Not saying I have "issues", but I allowed certain problems and pain from the past consume my life, and it really took a toll on me. Once I let go of it (with self help and internet research), I have felt so much better about myself, and my relationship. I am on a new mood altering medication, not sure if it's contributing to the weight loss, but I am a lot more focused, and focusing more so on me. They say you can't control anyone but yourself, and boy oh boy, have I learned that.

I am currently 163.2, and the smallest I have been in years, even in 2006 I was stuck at 165, I believe. So, this is a huge accomplishment. I am so close to my large reward goal, my partial back/ side/ shoulder tattoo. It's super exciting! My stomach is looking a lot better. Not so much like "mommy-mush" anymore.
My jean size is a size 9, but they are falling off of me, but, I haven't been able to find 8s that fit me, They seem a little snug. So I am stuck in No [Wo]man's Land.

I actually dropped off exercising I believe in September or so. Not purposely. I just let other things consume my time, that I am not proud of. I am back into the swing of things. Yesterday was Day One of The Easy Squat Challenge. And I started Jillian Michael's 6 Weeks to a 6Pack. Seeing results keeps me moving and motivated, and positive reinforcement. I am eating much healthier with the correct portion sizes, no margarine, and better foods. In fact, sweets are now too sweet for me, and the idea of having my annual Birthday Carvel IceCream Cake at the end of January is repulsive.... I will treat myself to some fruit. :)

My BMI is still considered: Overweight. I was in the 29th percent the other day, I know I am in 28 something today. Not bad!

Let's get to my measurements :)

Neck: 14"
Shoulder Circumference (under beauty mark on right arm): 44"
Chest (under beauty mark on left boob): 37" -1
Bicep circumference (under left beauty mark... which is no longer there because I had it removed :) : 13 1/2" for both -1/2
Breast perkiness (from hole in the neck to nipples): left: 11 1/2" right 12"
Waist (skinniest part): 33" -2
Belly (around belly button): 37 1/2" -1 1/2
Hips (around biggest part of hips): 41 1/2" -1/2
Knees: 16" one lost -1/2 :)
Calves: 15"

So, as you can see, there have been some positive changes. I am hoping for this to move a long a bit quicker, but I want to be healthy forever, and not just temporarily.

Positive Changes. More Peaceful Life.

It's nice living, for the most part ---> drama free. Stress levels are down, happiness is increased.
My weight has been fluctuating, however I have been fitting in smaller clothes, exercising 5 to 6 days a week, eating healthier, and more medicated. This medication that I've been on for a month has me more motivated than ever before.

I wear a size 10, and they are baggy now. This morning I weighed 174, and it is what it is.

Here are my measurements from the neck down:

Neck: 14"
Shoulder circumference (under beauty mark on right arm): 44" -1
Chest (under beauty mark on left boob): 38"
Bicep circumference (under left beauty mark): 14" same on both sides
Breast hanging-ness, haha! (from hole in neck to nipples): right: 12" and 11 1/2" left, weird, what is happening here?? +1 on right boob!
Waist (skinniest part): 35"
Belly (around belly button): 39" -1
Hips (around biggest part of hips): 42" -2
Knees: right 16" left 16 1/2" reductions
Calves (7" up from bottom): 15" around each


So, not much of a change, my shoulder circumference is reduced by an inch, my boobs are "hangy-er"... weird, lost an inch off my belly, two inches off my hips (which I can see and feel) and my knees are a little smaller. I feel a lot healthier and very active. I've lost, 7.8 pounds from when I last posted my measurements 4 months ago in April, so that's not bad, however, my weight was smaller than this a few weeks ago.

Let Downs, Give Ups, Positivity and Life, it is what it is.

One of my methods for weightloss last month was to use a dietary supplement. I purchased Hydroxycut, after hearing 2 rave reviews on it from my cousins. I bought the Super Strength, which is actually the lightest method. The first day I had so much energy, after that, I was taking it and going back to bed. I gave up on it, but will return to it.
I've walked, not as much as I should, but have been out and about.
I have NOT gotten on my elliptical yet.
I have had weight loss, documented on the side.
I won't do measurements til next month, since I gave up.

I had been feeling down in the dumps lately. I took it upon myself to go to my doctor and see about getting on an anti-depressant. She put me on the generic Lexapro. I started my first one last night. We'll see how it goes. I mean I've lost 2 pounds overnight, haha! I believe taking this will help me get that boost I need to complete everything I've imagined.
My doctor also tested my sugar, my thyroid and vitamin d levels. Can't wait to hear the results.

I eat better and have started making smoothies. We'll try again.

Half a Year Later, UPDATE:

Well, I haven't been doing much but carrying two 22+lb babies around everywhere... my 13 month old beauties! It's nice to see I am out of the "obese" category and into the "overweight" category. I started something today. I won't say "WHAT", just yet, but we'll see how this goes. This past week I have been eating low carb, with the exception of Easter dinner, a non-traditional.... lasagna! LOL! I also exercised this morning to Abs of Envy, LOL, and have been drinking water peeing like crazy! It's time for a new me. I'm in here, somewhere!
Stats:
I wear a size 10, 11 if they are tight. This morning I weighed 181.8 and it is what it is.

Here are my measurements from the neck down:

Neck: 14"
Shoulder circumference (under beauty mark on right arm): 45"
Chest (under beauty mark on left boob): 38"
Bicep circumference (under left beauty mark): 14" same on both sides
Breast hanging-ness, haha! (from hole in neck to nipples): right: 11" left 11 1/2" Let's perk these babies up!
Waist (skinniest part): 35"
Belly (around belly button): 40"
Hips (around biggest part of hips): 44"
Knees: 17"
Calves (7" up from bottom): 15" around each

Life Changes:

WOW! Again, it has been a while since I've been on this blog. Believe me, it's not like I haven't been on the internet! I have had a couple changes in my life. I got a new boyfriend October 2010, and we are still happily together. I also (unexpectedly) got pregnant with fraternal twin girls! My pregnancy was awesome! I loved every second of being pregnant. My girls are almost 8 months old. They are truly the best babies ever!
When I was pregnant, the most I had gained was 20 pounds, then I went into the hospital 1 month before I delivered, and really blew up with fluid. I had a huge belly LOL, but I was ALL bab[ies]! Thankfully there was no fat! LOL! If you look to the right hand side at my weightloss chart, the hearts indicate when I was pregnant. I actually lost weight during the pregnancy. In February, one hospital noted that I was 231 pounds. A week later, in another hospital, I was at 250pounds the day I gave birth. I lost a total of 63 pounds within 3 weeks after giving birth! A few months later, with grabbing snacks during the 1 and 3am feedings and changings, I weighed in at 185.6lbs! That was fantastic news, as that was LESS than I weighed before getting pregnant!
My weight went up a little from there, the girls got into a routine of sleeping from 5 to 7pm all the way until 5am the next morning. I stopped snacking as much but didn't exercise either. The most exercise I got around that time (and now) is lifting both car seats and toting them around. I saw my weight get up to 189 and it stayed steady around 187lbs.
A few weeks ago, we started noticing that we had been frying a lot more food than we had been. I stopped frying food and have switched to healthier alternatives for myself (substituting a starchy potato for double low carb veggies and adding something else healthy too. I know how to eat. I just fell off the wagon for a bit. But now things are running smoothly again.
I can proudly say that I weight 184.6 this morning! Finally passed my lowest weight I had been in a few years (or since 6 years ago). That is a total of 41.2 pounds shed since July 14, 2010!!

So I think I am going to reward myself when I work towards target goals. I have some plans in motion. I'll be getting back on the elliptical. Walking the babies before it gets too cold. Using the few dozen workout dvds that I own. Perusing Pinterest for health tips. Incorporating all of the exercise equipment in my home that has been stored away. Continuing to eat healthy (especially with my favorite holiday feasts coming up). Watching portion sizes during the holidays. Eating slower. I really have to start drinking more water. I am adding a mug of unsweetened tea at each meal [black and green]. Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before I eat. Desserts have been replaced with fruit or other healthy alternatives.

It is so easy to place blame. I have binged since being home with the girls. No purging, just binge-ing. I could blame in on having to live off of hospital food for over a month, but that would just be a lame excuse. I have purchased snacks for my boyfriend, with the intentions that he will take them to work. You know, out of sight, out of mind. Well, he went on a camping trip alone with his sister, I felt bad and ate a whole bag of Twizzlers and half a tub of icecream. I ate a whole can of Pringles in one sitting (it's true, once you pop, you can't stop). I found generic Girl Scout cookies at Walmart, Samoas (you may know them as Caramel Delights). The whole box of cookies was gone in one day. Junkfood got the best of me when I was either very busy and needed something quick, or feeling low. Now, I know grabbing an apple or banana is just as quick, if not quicker, than grabbing processed foods, but my brain either craved the saltiness or the sweetness of the fattier option. That's the thing, our household shouldn't have had "options". So, I am working on making our home a lot healthier, mind, body and soul, one step at a time.

When I got with my boyfriend, I was a size 18. Now I am a size 12. It feels so good to give my pants to someone who has worked harder than myself in getting herself where she feels better. Keeping the items of clothes around that I didn't fit into anymore, kept me comfortable. I don't know why, considering if I was to put them on, they'd fall right off of me, and there's nothing more uncomfortable than hiking your pants up the whole time. I think it was the security in knowing that if I crept back up there, that I had something to wear.

Well, that's me in a nutshell, airing it all out. I am proud of who I am. I strive to be better. I am working at getting there, and while I haven't worked my "hardest", I have atleast been trying.

Eliptical Progress May 23, 2011

Well I KNOW consistency is key, and that I am NOT practicing. But I have experienced weight loss. I mean I have seriously lost over 12% of my body fat in just shy of 1 year. I'll take it!

Now on to my random elliptical workouts:

06/27/2011  60 min.  1296 cal.  2735 dist.        8 res.
06/08/2011  60 min.  1297 cal.  2738 dist.        8 res.
06/06/2011  60 min.  1297 cal.  2741 dist.        8 res.
05/23/2011  60 min.  1194 cal.  2780 distance  7 resistance

FINALLY!! I broke the Terrible TWO's (again):

Imagine my surprise when I hopped on the scale today and I saw 198.4!!! I mean my pants have been falling off of me, but I figured it was because I've been wearing them a lot! I actually feel like I LOOK bigger, but who knows. I haven't even been active, don't eat the greatest, but not unhealthy-ish. YAY ME!
I have lost 27.4 pounds in almost a year.

Elliptical Progress- Starting January 28, 2011:

03/01/2011 65 min. 1339 cal.  3141 dis *7 res

02/28/2011 30 min. 614.2 cal. 1435 dis *7 res

02/27/2011 30 min. 579.0 cal. 1331 dis *7 res

02/26/2011 40 min. 817.5 cal. 1909 dis *7 res

02/25/2011 30 min. 520.2 cal. 1517 dis *5 res

02/22/2011 60 min. 1065 cal.  3131 dis *5 res

02/21/2011 35 min. 393.1 cal. 1763 dis *2 res

02/18/2011 35 min. 373.9 cal. 1638 dis *2 res

02/16/2011 15 min. 137.0 cal. 746   dis

02/09/2011 37 min. 725.2 cal. 1856 dis *7 res for 5 min decreased to 6 remainder

02/08/2011 60 min. 1103 cal. 3275 dis

02/07/2011 45 min. 824.2 cal. 2441 dis

02/04/2011 37 min. 701.3 cal. 2073 dis *5 resistance

02/02/2011 35 min. 521.2 cal. 1928 dis *increased to 4 resistance 23 min in

02/01/2011 35 min. 496.3 cal. 2011 dis *increased to 3 resistance 4 min in

01/31/2011 35 min. 445.6 cal. 2006 dis *increased to 3 resistance 10+ min in

01/30/2011 35 min. 335.6 cal. 1875 dis

01/29/2011 35 min. 339.3 cal. 1908 dis

01/28/2011 35 min. 333.4 cal. 1859 distance

WOW! I started this blog a year ago.....

Almost a year ago I started this blog, not only have I neglected IT, but I am surely not at the weight I thought I'd be at this time.
Luckily, I AM losing weight. I just started, after gaining quite a bit working at a doctor's office. Now, oddly enough I work in a food establishment, and I am losing weight.
Life changing events will be coming soon, which will lead to an even healthier lifestyle!
[July 14th, 2010: the devastating weight that crept up on me.]

Had to Buy New Jeans.....

"LARGER" ones.
I haven't seen this size in many years, but in my defense I purchased Old Navy and GAP jeans which run small for the label size.
They are so comfy and perfect though, and nothing like the too big pair that I have that the crotch hangs down to my knees, or the pants I grew out of a few months ago, or the 30+ pairs that I've purchased in hopes of fitting into them like YESTERDAY! LOL

Kate's Weight:

Starting November 1st, 2009 I will be documenting a lot.
I will publicly announce my weight.
Discuss my workout regimens.
Discuss my eating habits.
Keep track of my weight loss [and hopefully NOT weight gain].

I don't feel as comfortable doing this, as I am used to the security in public weight loss forums. By doing this publicly to the world, it's ANYONE's information, not just people who are looking to get fit and healthy.

I'm ready to discuss it though.