August 4th. One Year.

August 4th, 2012.

The day I flushed my fear down the toilet and put myself out there!

This is the day I said, "Screw it! I need accountability and I am going to do this!"  So, I did it.
I put my "Before" pics on Facebook and left it at that.  Who knew that this would open up a whole new world for me!?
Who knew that I would start to think of myself as someone other than the fat girl!
Who knew that I would actually inspire people.
I am not an inspiration!?
I am just the fat girl who wants to be less fat!
I am not a expert, I make mistakes.....but apparently I am also inspiring others to start their journey!
Im not gonna lie, it is still weird for me when someone tells me that my journey pushed them to start, I still don't know how to react and am kind of awkward when I am supposed to respond. But I am changing and I feel like God put me here to share my experience so if that is what I am called to do, then that is what I will do!

August 4th, 2013.

Today.

Today I am down 45lbs.
Today I am a runner.
Today I am a bike rider.
Today I am changing.
Today I am down 2-3 clothing sizes. 
Today I can run/walk/jog 3-4 miles.
Today I can bike ride 11 miles.
Today I am aware of what I put into my body and how many calories it is.
Today I think about how many calories I will burn during a work out instead of how many swiss cake rolls I can shove in my mouth.
Today I have hit my 1 year Weight Loss Journey Anniversary.
Today I am still a work in progress, but I am progressing and that is all that matters.

I am by no means where I want to be, but I can now with full confidence say that I will get there.  It may take me another year, it may take me two. But I will get there!  I could fill this post up with so many reflections, but it would probably take me another year to finish, so I know that you are all waiting for one thing.

My progress picture. :-)

Until Next Time....

Realization

I watch a lot of tv. Like a borderline unhealthy Im probably addicted amount of tv. I love it and Im not afraid to admit it..... :-)

So, tonight I found myself watching Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition. 

Yeah, the one with that guy....he's a hottie. Well, while watching it I started thinking to myself how jealous I was that this couple lost so much weight in such a short time and the circumstances weren't quite as unrealistic as The Biggest Loser is so why couldn't I do that?? After a few commercial breaks I had a realization. 

I AM DOING THAT!

Ok, I havent lost huge numbers in short time frames like them, but I have lost 44lbs in under a year and am still going strong! I have worked my butt off and actually started working my butt off, :-), and I need to stop being envious of others huge weight loss amounts because I soon will be one of them! I know I will because I know I can do it! I just need to get over this tiny bump in my journey. 

Think of me when you are eating that huge juicy burger and potato salad this weekend please because this momma has some food changes to make! :-)

Ill probably have a half a burger.....

Until next time....

44 lessons for 44 pounds

I am down 44 lbs total. I am so excited about finally being in the 230's! However, all I can see is that last 6 lbs until my first big goal! -50 lbs is so close yet so far away!

So, to get my mind off of those pesky 6 I am going to share 44 things I have learned since I have lost 44lbs.

1) I have too many clothes in my closet that I will never wear again.
2) I can ride my bike for 10 miles without stopping.
3) I can actually run.
4) I will succeed and make my goal.
5) I am worth it.
6) I can go a whole day without needed a nap.
7) I would rather walk or ride my bike than drive. But some places are just too annoying to get too!
8) Just because I am not a long distance runner, doesn't mean I am exempt from running injuries! BOO!
9) I need better sports bras.
10) I can not wear yoga pants to run in unless I want them to be at my ankles.
11) I am a weirdo who doesn't mind running without music.
12) It makes me feel weird and a little uncomfortable when people tell me I am an inspiration to them because I don't know how to respond.....I have never been an inspiration to anyone!
13) I really need to buy some new underwear....considering I haven't bought any since I have lost weight....
14) I crave water.
15) Fast food generally makes me sick when I eat it now.  Like stomach hurting sick.....
16) I can actually eat one serving of something and not feel like I am starving.
17) There comes a time when you just need to break down and get some smaller pants!
18) You can lose weight in your feet.....who knew!?
19) Even though I don't feel like I am getting smaller, I actually am.
20) Just because the scale isn't moving, doesn't mean I am not getting healthier and smaller.
21) Even though I feel like I am going to die, if I keep going, I will feel better when it is done!
22) I actually look forward to my evening workouts with my sissy!
23) I can go to a restaurant and not drink pop with my meal and still survive!
24) It is possible.
25) It seems weird to me to go on a "leisure" walk now...I feel like I have to take advantage of every calorie burning activity possible!
26) I don't care anymore about what people think when I workout in public.
27) It is much easier to run when you are not pushing a jogging stroller.
28) There is a term called chub-rub......You would think being a fat chick I would have known about this a long time ago!
29) I need new running shoes.
30) I need actual running shoes.
31) Shin splints suck.
32) Blisters on the bottom of your foot also suck.
33) It annoys me that I can run farther and longer on the treadmill than I can outside.
34) Have I mentioned that I really need to breakdown and buy some smaller underwear...lol
35) I am pretty much wearing 2 sizes smaller in both tops and bottoms.
36) Being lazy for more than a day will really hurt your progress on the scale.
37) People in Three Rivers really should know that the track belongs to me and my sister after 8pm....we are very territorial and you are cramping out style! ;-)
38) It is not easy to go on a two mile walk while pulling a wagon with 2 children who both weigh almost 40lbs up hill.
39) I now measure my work outs by how fast I go instead of how far I go.
40) 5 year olds and long distance walks/bike rides don't mix.
41) I need to break up with my scale.
42) I should have measured myself correctly when I started.
43) My FitBit is a really good motivator!
44) And last but not least I have learned that this has and will always be the most difficult journey I will ever be a part of!


Until Next Time......

Health and Fitness Friday: I'm ON FIRE!

This weeks post is brought to you by my calves, who are officially SORE and ON FIRE!! 

(and hopefully soon will be smaller more toned calves)

Here is my workout log for the week:

Sunday: 

30 Day Shred workout 

1 mile walk/run on treadmill

Monday: 

Biked 4.5 miles while pulling bike cart with 2 boys

Short .80 mile walk outside

30 Day Shred workout

Tuesday: 

1.85 mile walk back and forth to the park

Biked 4.16 miles

Wednesday: 

3 mile walk on track

6 rounds of Bleachers at the track

30 Day Shred workout

Thursday:

2.5 mile run/walk outside

Biked 2 miles while pulling bike cart with 2 kids.    

The majority of my working out this week has been outside and I LOVE it!  I have been waiting for the weather to get nice and so I have been using every second I can to do some sort of working out!  The one thing I have noticed however, is that I suck at running outside.  I seem to have gotten so used to the treadmill that my outdoor running has suffered.  

I did have a big breakthrough tonight though! 

When I first started working out I would walk at our high school track conveniently right down the road.  I started by walking and then slowly started pushing myself to jog.  I set VERY small goals to get myself started and before I knew it I was jogging for 30 secs at a time, which was the equivalent of like a half of a tenth of a mile. (HUGE victory for someone who is 100lbs+ overweight and has never ran/jogged in their adult life!) Well, today I ran around the whole track one time non-stop before I had to stop to take a breath!  I did this twice!  Sure I still felt like I was going to die, but that puts me one step closer to my goal of running an entire mile without taking a break or walking!  

I wanna talk about a fun topic now.  Bathing Suit Shopping!!  I can say without a doubt that I am SO excited this year to shop for a new bathing suit!  My parents have a swimming pool that we basically move into all summer so bathing suits are one of my main outfits throughout the summer. In the past I have just settled for whatever they had available in my size and price range.  The past 2 years I wore my Maternity bathing suit even though I was not pregnant last year!  I tried on at least 10 suits last year and nothing fit me.  They were all either way too tight everywhere or too small in the bust area or just ugly and expensive!  So, I settled yet again for my go to Motherhood Maternity suit!  

Well this year I am not going to settle and I can not justify wearing a maternity suit again this year!  I have lost 40lbs!  Even though I am nowhere near the weight that I want to be and plan to lose more throughout the summer I still think that 40lbs warrants a new swim suit that actually fits me this year! Yes, I will still be wearing the normal "Big Girl Swim Dress" BUT it will be smaller and cuter and New! 

Here are some of the ones I have liked so far: 

Since I have already been shopping in my head now I just need to get the last 10lbs off so I can go shopping being 50lbs lighter! ;-) 

I pray that you all have a safe and Happy Weekend!  

If you need a great link up head over to my girl Jen's place and link up to her Health and Fitness Friday linky!

Until Next Time.... 

Health and Fitness Friday: Shut up or Give up!

Today's Friday and I finally remembered before Saturday to join my girl 
Jen at A Daily Dose of Davis for: 

Today I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of annoyed.  

I'm annoyed at all of the excuses I keep seeing or hearing.  

Makes me want to say, Shut up or Give up!! 

Yes, I had excuses, probably 15 years of excuses but I am living proof that today is the day to give them up!  Today is the day throw out "I'm too big to workout!" and say "I'm WORTH it!".  

No longer am I going to ignore these: 

1. I don’t have time.  MAKE TIME!!  If you have to workout at midnight, you workout at midnight! 
2. I can’t afford to eat healthy or go to the gym.  I cant afford a gym membership either, but I can afford to walk outside or OnDemand workouts for free or a $9.99 workout video! As far as food goes, you gotta do what you gotta do. If you have to give up your monthly Vera Bradley bag to get healthy then you need to do. 3. It is too hard.  Life is hard!  School is hard, work is hard, marriage is hard, going to the grocery store with kids is hard.....I can go on...4. It is uncomfortable.  Can you honestly say being overweight is comfortable? 5. I love to eat.  So do I. But you can make healthier choices and still love to eat. 6. I don’t know what to do or where to start.  Start by getting off the couch, simple as that!7. I don’t have the willpower.  Read this: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/weight-loss-does-willpower-matter  Just do it. 8. I don’t have support from friends or family.   Get over it and make a lifestyle change for yourself, not the people around you.  9. I have a medical condition (thyroid, disabled, food intolerance, and many more). Many health conditions can disappear once you lose weight. Why wouldn't you want to get yourself healthy?

10. I have an injury to my (select all that apply) neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, hips, knee, ankle, and/or baby toe.  There are plenty of workouts that you can do where you don't have to use the injured limb.  

I guess the reason why I am so annoyed is because I know it can be done!  I know if I can give up my excuses and lose 39lbs so far then anyone can do it!  I know that it is hard, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but it is worth it!  The end results are there, the excuses are just clouding your vision to see the finish line. 

All that being said, I finally took a recent progress picture. 

There I am: 282 lbs with every excuse in the book who looked at this picture and said, "I need to get off the couch".  I need to change this. As simple as walking 20 minutes a day jump started my love for running and working out.  I know you can find 20 minutes, hell, if you can only find 10 minutes DO IT!  I guarantee you will start to feel better and that 10 will turn to 20 to 30 to 60. Trust me, I know it can happen.  As long as those excuses stay in the trash. 

Until Next Time.....

Breakthrough

I'm a fan of reading the success stories on MyFitnessPal.  (Hit me up Steph8084 :-) lol) Everytime I read a new one I always think to myself "I Wish that were me." I sometimes find myself a little jealous that they have been working out for a shorter period of time but lost more weight or they are the same weight as me but look smaller, etc.  So even though I somewhat tortue myself with my thoughts I still really enjoy seeing other peoples progress and knowing it really can happen.

Today I woke up feeling all around icky. Headache, body ache, sinus crap, sore throat....and it got worse as the day went on. I remember falling asleep around 5 on the couch and waking up around 8....Im assuming hubby took care of the kids during that time....hopefully....haha Well, long story short even though I felt like I was gonna fall over and die I forced myself to walk on the treadmill for at least an mile or 30 mins. I finished my mile in 20 mins and called it good. I then sat down to record it in MFP and read some more success stories like normal. Only today I noticed something different about myself. I realized that instead of being jealous and wishing that were me I was thinking "I cant wait until I have a success story to post!" I really think that when I pushed myself to jump on that treadmill even thought every ounce of energy I had was screaming no I actually showed myself that I WILL be a success story! I will do it and I can do it! 
I had a breakthrough tonight and you better believe you will be seeing my success story in the future!

Tonight I fell in love...

I fell in love all over again tonight.....

with Running.

I started tripping, jogging, having seizure like movements running in July of 2012.  I couldn't jog 20  seconds to save my life.  If I was being chased I would have totally gotten caught before I even started running!  At 280 lbs, running was pretty much a joke to me, something I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined myself doing.  I remember feeling like I was going to die the first time I decided to run on the track. I remember feeling very accomplished after I was able to run for 30 secs straight without stopping.  I also remember telling myself that I WILL run a 5k before I turn 30.  

I started the C25K program all by my lonesome and hit the ground running.  I struggled through the first week.  I struggled through the second, third and made it to the fourth week.  Then my sister wanted to start so I went back to the beginning again!  I noticed a significant difference when I started over.  I was able to get through the weeks a lot easier that I did before.  We made it to Week 3 and then Winter came along and it was too dark and too cold to run outside.  BOO!  My Running was cut off. And I started doing other things to work out, lose weight and get healthy.  But that little pest called running kept creeping up in my head and I found myself actually MISSING it!

When I am running I honestly don't think about anything.  I don't even need music, even though I normally listen to it. I take in my surroundings, I leave all my stress at home, I leave all my schedules, crazy baby tantrums, depression and bi-polar, mommy carpooling stuff all at home.  And I just run. I run until my legs feel like they are going to buckle, I take a break and I run again.  I am not fast. But I am running and I love it.

Let's skip all the way to the end of last month when I got my new baby!  My new treadmill! Since then I have made significant progress not only getting myself back to where I was, but improving!  

Can you believe that I, Steph the girl who has always been the big girl, the girl who never ran EVER, the girl who has 100 lbs to lose, would be running for 3 and 5 minutes straight at a 4 and 5mph speed!?

When I began I was walking a mile in about 35-40 minutes. Tonight I shaved 10 seconds off my previous PR and did a mile in 15:50, 9 of which I ran!  

To say that I am excited would be an understatement!  I CAN not wait to get back outside and show the road what I am made of!  I can't wait to kill the C25K and I also can't wait to join my Girl Jen in Nov in Chicago and run my official 5k!  

I pushed it this evening and went for my first walk/jog outside since before Winter but since it was a windy 39 degrees I didn't get very far very fast! But, I am ready!

Tonight marks the night that I fell in love with running all over again!  And I have come to the realization that I am a Runner.  

Until Next Time...

Health and Fitness Friday

I'm late to the party.....not surprising, I'm ALWAYS late to the party....all the time... :-)

I don't have a whole lot to add.  I've been kind of boring.  At this moment I am failing my DietBet....I will figure something out because I hate losing money... :-) 

My workout Schedule for the week was: 

Sunday: 5 Mile Stationary Bike Ride

Monday: Level 2 30 Day Shred

Tuesday: 7 Mile Stationary Bike Ride

Wednesday: Level 2 30 Day Shred

Thursday: 6.5 Mile Stationary Bike Ride

Friday: Rest Day

Tomorrow I will be doing at least one session of 30 Day Shred, 60 minutes on the Stationary Bike and if I can fit more I will be making up for taking today off.  

I have 5lbs left to lose for my DietBet....lol

This week has been pretty boring so I will just end it with my latest Progress picture.  

Happy Friday and Have a Great Weekend!!

Until Next Time..... 

No Excuses.

Health and Fitness Friday: New Years Edition

Once again it is Health and Fitness Friday over at A Daily Dose of Davis!  I'm pretty sure its really only Tuesday and not Friday...because this week has FLOWN by!  I am just dumbfounded by the fact that we are already ending the first week of 2013!  

SO, this week I have been really focusing on my weight loss portion of my goals list.  I have been watching what I eat, making better choices and working my buns off!  

Here's what I've been working on:

~Sticking to 1580 calories a day and at least 8-8oz glasses of water. 

~Our Fitness group (Operation: LGN) has started another 31 day challenge that I am taking part in. 

~And I have also started a January Squat Challenge that a friend shared on Facebook. 

~I also just bought my first treadmill so I have Re-Started the C25K!  

One of my goals was to complete it this year and I have to train for my Chicago 5K anyways so lets kill two birds with one stone and get a great workout while I'm at it! 

 

I've been thinking about trying some smoothies for breakfast time.

I need something quick and easy and yummy that I can drink on the go.  Do I have an Smoothie drinkers out there!?!  Share your fav recipes.  Do you have any other suggestions for an easy on the go breakfast?  This Momma needs suggestions!!  :-) 

I wish you all a Happy Friday and a great weekend to come! 

Until Next Time..... 

Goals, Accountability, Encouragement

Why do we set goals?
Is it to stress ourselves out throughout the year?  To freak out when you haven't accomplished your goal within the time limit you gave yourself?  To set yourself up to fail?  That's what I used to think.  In the past I have never set goals because in my mind I knew I was going to fail.  I just knew it and you couldn't tell me otherwise.  Why?  Because I trained my brain to believe it.  I told my self that I sucked so I just assumed that I was going to suck.  Well, 2012 has shown me that I can actually accomplish somethings when I put my mind to it.  2012 has taught me that I am persistent and determined and that if I work my butt off I can actually accomplish some things.

So, with all of that, I am presenting to you some of the goals that I have written down that I want to accomplish in 2013.  I know, some of these are crazy, some of these should be things that come naturally and some of these things you will probably think are silly.  But they are not silly to me and there is a reason why they made my list.  I'm sure I will be adding and probably taking some of these away but I just wanted a record of my original goals so that I can always come back to them.

I have divided them up in categories, apparently I am becoming organized by the minute!

My Fitness Goals for 2013
-Make it to 199lbs
-Workout twice a day
-Eat Better, stick to 1500-1200 calories a day and keep logging into MyFitnessPal.
-Start running again and complete the C25K
-Run at least 1 5K (The Hot Chocolate Run in Chicago with Jen for sure)
-Feel better about myself

My Personal/Family Goals for 2013
-Get Organized
-Be a better wife and mom
-Make a Budget AND stick to it
-Work on getting out of debt
-Build a Savings
-Start a Christmas club in January so that I am not freaking out in December
-Feel better about myself
-Make at least one day a week Date Night
-Have a girls only day with Cady at least once ever other week
-Be in bed by 11:30pm on weekdays, even when school is out
-Craft more and build up my online business
-Read my Bible once a day
-Try not to over-commit myself

So, there they are.  I'm sure I will think of more as things start to unravel with the new year approaching, but I believe these are some of the most important items I NEED to accomplish this year.

I ask you to help keep me accountable.
If you see me buying up the whole Clearance shelf just because it is cheap and I MIGHT need it in the future slap me back to reality and tell me NO!  :-)
If you see me eating an entire package of oreos in one sitting slap me back to reality and tell me NO! :-)
If you see me online at 3am Facebooking, Blogging or Pinning slap me back to reality and tell me NO! :-)

Since part of this post applies to the Health and Fitness side of my life and it's Friday and I actually remembered to link up this week, I also wanted to link up with Jen at A Daily Dose of Davis for Health and Fitness Friday!

Have you thought about setting some goals yet?  If your interested in sharing your list I'd love to see it....since I'm kind of a goals newbie my lists can always use some help!

I trust you all had a Very Merry Christmas and I pray for a Safe and Happy New Year!

Until Next Time.....

Health and Fitness Friday (On Saturday...)

Today's Health and Fitness Friday Saturday is brought to you buy a girl who has a little less "chin" than she had last year!  

I never realized anything had really changed in my face until I saw these two pictures tonight! One of my goals is to only have one chin....the ONE we are supposed to have! LOL  And it looks like I am well on my way to smashing that goal!  These pictures were both part of our annual Fall Family Pictures, but one year apart.  I realize that I am wearing blue in both pics, my hair is the same, and we are standing in the same exact spot both times....but that's neither here nor there....in the second picture I am clearly sporting a smaller chin!  

And yes, that makes me SUPER HAPPY!! 

(that will make more since if you watch Ni-Hoa Kailan at all)

So, I do have a couple more updates to share: I have been drinking A LOT more water on a daily basis.  And by a lot, I mean more than 1 glass a day! ( I used to HATE water!)  I have been averaging between 6-10 glasses a day. If you are having trouble with your water intake I thought I would share my trick to drinking more.  I have been drinking ICE cold water in these:

There is just something about the straw and the ice and always having cold water that helps me to drink more, my cup holds 16oz so I only need to drink 4 of them to get the minimum 8 cups! It's super easy and cheaper than buying water bottles and you eat less because you are not confusing your body with the question of Am I hungry or just thirsty.  Win, Win if you ask me!

I have also recruited another one of my sisters to workout with us!  So now we have a trio, myself, Sister Sam and Sister Christen!!  It makes it so much easier to workout when you have someone there to help push you, keep you accountable and sweat and die alongside you!  My knee seems to be better daily.  I am able to do more during our workouts and work harder!


I've also been debating on joining a gym.

Are you a member of a gym?  Do you actually go?  Is it worth the money?  Would you rather just workout at home when its convenient for you? Right now I am just working out at home using different Aerobic, Abs, Cardio workouts on my tv and DVDs, but I think I need more.  What do you think?

This was shared in my fitness group on Facebook and I think it describes what my December goals are perfectly!  Do you have any December goals?  My Actual goal is to be in the 240's by the New Year which means I have at least 10 lbs to loose before then....I guess I better get my butt in gear!

Until Next Time.....

Health and Fitness Friday: Being MIA and some more progress!

Happy Friday!!

Today I'm linking up once again to Jen's Health and Fitness Fridays! 

I'll start today by saying that I have been MIA due to my severe clumsiness!  3 weeks ago while carrying Nate downstairs after his nap I slipped on some clothes that I threw down the stairs earlier and fell down the last 5 stairs.  If you have seen my stairs you know that they are pretty much a 90 degree angle up so this isn't the first time I have fallen....because like I said I suffer from a severe case of being too clumsy.  Well, back to my story: so as I was falling I leaned to the side so that Nate wouldn't get hurt and somehow I managed to get my left leg caught between me and the wall going the opposite direction....yes, It hurt like Hell!  I was pretty sure that I broke it, as I was getting pissed at myself just thinking about the bill I would get if I called an ambulance to come and get me I realized that I could get up and somewhat walk.  So, I just sucked it up and because I am a mom and my job is never done I continued to do my everyday activities and dealt with it.  I'm pretty sure I sprained both my knee and ankle and since I put off going to the doctors by the time I went they really couldn't do anything...opps....  So, long story short I had to take 3 weeks off from working out and I'd be lying if I said I enjoyed it!  It was crazy how much I missed working out! SO, I'm finally back!  I started back up with some light workouts on Tuesday and seem to be doing well with minimal pain!  AND I was able to keep my weight in check through no workouts and Thanksgiving!

In light of that really long paragraph that really could have been explained in like two sentences I do have some good news to share!  

*****Drum Roll Please*****

I hit my first weight loss goal yesterday!!  My first goal was to get back in the 250's which is where I was before I started having kids.  Obviously that's not where I want to be but it works for me right now!  

Since August I have lost 23lbs and have finally hit 259!  

I am making progress, I'm hopeful that I will be totally back on track within the next couple of weeks and have given myself a pretty big goal for December!  I want to be in the 240's before the New Year.  I know I can do it if I push myself and get back on track with my eating so what I'm asking you all to do is make sure that I am staying on track!  Keep me accountable! 

To End here is a video for your viewing pleasure! 

If you have never heard of Mike Chang look him up.  I have started doing some of his Ab workouts and they are awesome! 

Until Next Time....

Fitness Friday: Encouragement

Its that time again! I'm linking up to Jen at A Daily Dose of Davis for Fitness Friday! 

If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would be participating in something called "Fitness Friday" I would have laughed at you.  Fitness has never been real important on my priority list.  I just figured, I've always been fat and probably always will be so I just need to accept it and embrace it.  Well, I'm here to tell you that's crap!  That is one of the worst excuses anyone can make and it was one that I used almost daily!  Yes I have always been overweight.  Yes I have tried to accept it and be comfortable in my own skin, but there comes a time when enough is enough.  I have been fortunate that even though I am obese I have managed to stay pretty healthy. All of my tests always come back great and I even had a Dr. tell me that my cholesterol level was shockingly good!  But, I can't keep telling myself that my body is ok.  I can't keep making excuses.  

So, I started changing my life.  I started slowly walking around the high school track in the evenings.  Then one day I pushed myself to run as fast as I could as far as I could.  I probably lasted about 10 seconds and went like 5 feet.....I don't know the exacts but I know it was sad.  I could barely breath, I thought I was going to die right there on that track.  But I was damn proud of myself for at least trying!  So from there I kept going.  I pushed myself more everyday. And soon I could feel myself getting stronger.  I knew that sooner or later I would get stronger and start to loose some weight and begin my journey to a healthier me BUT what I never really thought about was all of the encouragement that comes along with sharing the journey.  I have never felt so special and included and encouraged and that is what keeps me going!  My Operation LGN group is amazing!  They accepted me with open arms, they are there to let me know that I can do it when I feel ready to throw in the towel and they are just awesome!  I can honestly say that I love these ladies and they inspire me everyday! 

Speaking of inspiring people, I have never really thought of myself as being someones inspiration.  I have always just been me, never anything spectacular, never anything bad, just me.  Last night, I did my nightly check in with our group.  It went something like this: Tried Zumba Wii tonight...Ive got NO rhythm!  Here is one of the comments I recieved: Steph, I have fallen so far off the exercise wagon I can't even see it on the horizon anymore. YOU have been the only reason I haven't left the group all together (not that the rest of you aren't equally as wonderful!) I started walking again this week hoping to catch that wagon & hop back on. Your humble attitude and your amazing perseverance are truly an inspiration. Good for you!! and thanks for putting yourself out there!! 

I sat there speechless not knowing how to respond....  WOW!  To think that my story, that I almost didn't share by the way, can inspire someone is amazing!  

2 months ago I was the fat girl who made excuses and just dealt with the fact that I probably would always be the same.  Today I am overweight girl who is taking control of her life, changing herself inside and out and I guess inspiring others to do the same!  

When I took my "Before" picture I fully intended it to just be seen by myself and the ladies in Operation LGN.  I wasn't quite ready to put myself out there for the world to see just quite yet.  Well, because I'm a dork, instead of uploading it onto the fitness group wall I uploaded it onto my personal Facebook page wall!  My first instinct was "CRAP CRAP CRAP!!" Delete! Delete! Delete! Then my worst nightmare (at that time) came through....Notification....Someone commented on my picture... You got this, buddy!!, And then the next: You can do it!!!!  

Instead of people calling me fat, laughing at me, judging me, they were encouraging me!  They were all routing for me!  So I left it.  I figured, what the hell, people have already seen it so the damage is done.  That was on August 4th.  Since then I hadn't really thought about showing my progress on my wall.  I showed it on my blog and in our group so it didn't really occur to me that my friends on Facebook would want to see it.  So, yesterday I decided to post my recent progress picture.  39 "LIKES" and 24 "Comments"!!  WHAT!?! 

So I guess what I have been trying to say in this 30 page research paper is that Encouragement is key to keeping yourself on track!  To know that people are routing for me and waiting for my updates is what keeps me from eating that raw cookie dough and sitting on my butt all day and all night.  

 Thank You from the bottom of my heart to anyone who has ever shared an encouraging word with me.  I Love you all and I appreciate it more than you know! 

Until Next Time.....

Fitness Friday: 30 Day Shred

An AWESOME Bloggy Friend (Jen) of mine has started a Friday Blog post called Fitness Friday and I have been meaning to link up to her since she started and it seems like I either forget or can't think of anything to blog about!  SO, I'm so happy that I finally remembered before Saturday!  

If you have been tagging along with me along the last few months than you know that I have been on a weight loss/get fit and healthy journey so I'm going to use this post to update everyone on my progress.  I started working out consistently towards the end of July but I took my official "Before" picture in August and I'm using that to help document my body transformation because the scale hasn't been so nice to me lately!  

Here is the latest picture:

Can you see the difference??  The biggest change I can see is my "lower roll" has significantly shrunk.  If you don't know what part of the body that is I'll explain it a bit, lol.  If you look at my stomach, I have an "upper roll", a "tire" in the middle and a "lower roll"...sure the names aren't correct...but I have to have some sort of comic relief right!?

So.....I kind of fell off the C25K wagon (SUPER BUMMED) this month because I developed shin splints so I have been trying to nurse them because I REALLY miss running!  It's so weird to hear myself say that.  I mean, I'm still over 100lbs overweight but in the short time I have been working out I have accomplished things I never imagined that I could do!  And running was top on my list of things I couldn't do.  But I seem to be proving that list wrong everyday!

Because I couldn't run well at the moment, my sister and I started Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred.  

I would be lying if I told you it was easy!!  She kicks my B-U-T-T!!  We finished Day 10 (Level 1) on Wednesday and started Day 11 (Level 2) yesterday....All I can say is Holy workout! My results haven't been the greatest yet but I just keep telling myself that we aren't even half way done yet so hopefully I see some soon!  It would be nice if I could be one of them that loses up to 20lbs like she says on her DVD but at this point, I'm just happy with losing some inches!  So far I have lost 2lbs (I was at a 6lb loss but a few of those came back so I'm officially at a 2lb loss and a 1/2 inch on my hips.  

I'm excited to link to the other posts and see all the great things we are doing this week!  Come back soon, I will be updating along the way and I hope to soon introduce you to a smaller, healthier Steph! :-)

Until Next Time....

I need to get back on the Running Train....

Fat Girl Problems: My journey from fat girl to Runner Vol. 3

It's been a while since I have updated so I thought I would keep everyone in the loop!  As many of you know at the beginning of this month I started a 30 day challenge (Operation: LGN) with some online friends and we are nearing the end of our challenge!  Its a little bittersweet but we have decided to keep the group going so we will still be able to check in with each other and hold ourselves accountable!  With that being said, I wanted to share my "Before" picture that I took the day we started our challenge and a picture that I took tonight.  I was feeling some doubts that I was actually making progress but this picture just proves to me that my hard work is at least doing something!

I know its not much, but its MUCH more than I have ever been able to do before I started on this journey!  If you remember, I also started the C25K program about a week before we started our challenge.  I got to Week 4 of the 9 week program and then decided to start over at the beginning so that my sister could join me.  I have to say it was by far one of the best decisions I have made regarding my workouts!  When I first started I could barely jog 30 seconds let alone complete the entire day, we just finished our Week 1 and not only was I able to keep up with her (shes a skinny mini!) But I was able to complete it all!  I can't wait to see how far I get the farther we go in the program!  And it is just confirmation that I am actually making some progress towards my goal to become a runner!

Well, Ill end this since it is about 2am and I really should be sleeping but I was just too excited with my results to wait until tomorrow to share them with you!

I wish everyone a WONDERFUL Labor Day Weekend!  I personally plan to relax and spend time with my family, work out and eat healthier!

Until Next Time.....

Just Say No.....

To double chins.....I WILL have ONE chin and one chin only very SOON!! 

No Susan.....No they don't....

Until Next Time....

What I've learned since I started dealing with my Fat Girl Problems.

It's been almost a month since I have started working out consistently!  

Can I get a WHOOO HOOO!!!

And I am proud to say that I am still going strong!  

One of my fav Bloggers Jen started a 30 day workout challenge last week and of course we all know they needed a token "Fat Girl" to join the group! lol 

(just kidding....kinda....)

Well, I jumped at the chance to join the group, Operation LGN even though I was a little nervous to totally "put myself out there".  I did it....I uploaded my "Before" picture that night. Introduced myself and told a bit of my "Fat Girl Problems" story and left it at that.  I never in a million years thought that I would feel so loved, accepted and encouraged by a group of ladies (and one Tom) that I had never met!  In the past week we have checked in with pictures, workout plans, healthy recipes and funny or encouraging quotes! 

I have worked out 10 days in a row for at least 30 minutes each time!  And I feel like I am on fire!  I look forward to the evening when everyone goes to bed so I can take my C25K run/walk or ride my bike or work out on the Wii and I can honestly say I have NEVER felt excited to work out!  It truly is an awesome feeling and I am so thankful for all of the support I have gotten thus far! 

I wanted to end this blog post with a short list of things that I have learned since starting to work out, this seems to be a trial and error journey and although some things have been failures I have also found some things to be pretty comical after I think about it! So, here goes:

*I have learned that no matter what people say, when you are super fat, running down hill is not easier than running up hill.....It's all hard when you are carrying an extra 100lbs! 

*I have learned that you should never wear silk underwear and yoga pants if you want to keep you pants around your waist instead of your ankles while jogging. 

*I have learned that just because I couldn't do it a year ago doesn't mean that I can't do it now!

*I have learned that I need to buy a couple of sports bras before I start to run faster. 

*I have learned that when your stomach tells you that you really have to go to the bathroom.....don't keep jogging farther away from home....

*I have learned that sweat bands look really dumb on my head.

*And last but certainly not least, I have learned I CAN and I WILL do it.  

It may take me a while but it will happen! 

Until Next Time.....

I will.