Time flies...

Here it is the last day of November and tomorrow starts the last month of 2011. Crazy how it seems like forever and a flash all at the same time since I started things back in January.

This last month or two I haven't been doing near as well as I had hoped I would by this point and so it seems I have hit my plateau. It's time to change things up. I decided that I'm going to start the P90x workout videos on Sunday. My race is this Saturday so I don't want to do anything before then and possibly jeopardize that. I'm a little scared and excited for both the race and for trying out this new workout series. I am very much looking forward to both, though.

My weight has been fluctuating in the 170s for what seems like wayyy too long now. I think besides the eating poorly and exercising less, that my period coming every 2 weeks for the last 3 times now has definitely affected that. Due to a birth control medication mishap, I've been cursed with bleeding 3 times in the month of November alone. AF arrived here yesterday and so I'm not really feeling my best and have bloated up a couple lbs after just coming down like 4 a few days earlier. Ugh! But whatever... I am not happy to have to deal with running a race while on my period... but it hasn't stopped me from still jogging every day this week so far. Slowed me down, sure, but not giving up that easily.

I would love to hear from any of you who have tried P90x already though. I just read through all of the guidebook today and I think I should be able to pass the fitness test. I am only slightly concerned about whether or not I can do a pullup. I'm going to have to get a chinup bar soon and find out. lol. I skimmed through the first video for day 1 also of the chest and back and the ab ripper. I am excited to finally feel like something is going to be challenging for me again but Tony is a freakin beast. OMG! lol. I'll just have to keep reminding myself that it's okay to modify things at first. I still need to look through the nutrition aspect of this and see what all kinds of things I'm supposed to be needing. I'm looking forward to finally making my own meal plans and trying to stick to them. That's definitely something I know I need more discipline for myself on. I wont be using the supplements because I can't afford them, but I do take a multivitamin - Women's One A Day, and drink whey protein shakes already so I think those ought to suffice.

My Golden Birthday...

So yesterday was apparently my Golden Birthday. I turned 26 years old on the 26th. :)

However, it didn't quite feel so spectacularly golden this year. It wasn't a bad birthday by any means, but I was very sick with a cold and sore throat. I was feverish with a runny nose and just stayed home all day. Jett had spent the previous night with his father, but when he came home I cuddled up with my boy and watched movies the rest of the day. I got a few really nice and also thoughtful gifts this year so all in all it evened out to a decent birthday. lol.

These last couple weeks have been so crazy hectic and full of lame excuses as to why I havent been exercising as much or eating as well. The latest of course being that I've been sick for the last 4 days now. I did finally workout again tonight though and felt pretty amazing even though I'm still slightly sick. I did more reps than usual and in better form, etc. So I guess it was nice for my body to rejuvenate a bit or something. Anyways.. of course I went up a few pounds with the holidays and my birthday as I expected... but I am looking forward to tomorrow being a new day. All the brownies that were made for me for my birthday were devoured by the end of today by me and the rest of my family, so nothing is left to tempt me tomorrow. lol. I'm going to make sure I get a good run in tomorrow as well becuase my race is this coming Saturday!!! Speaking of which... if you haven't yet donated to help me raise funds for the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, there is a box to the left on my blog that will allow you to do so. Even just one dollar would be appreciated! Thanks for the support guys. <3 I know with the holidays here money is tight for everyone so I understand if you can't give. I haven't had a job in 3 years, so yeah... I'm too broke to give anything myself, but I'm doing my best to help fundraise and so far have got $45 raised for those kids. More than what I thought I could do, so yay! lol.

Anyways... It's getting kind of late and I need to get in bed so I can be well rested to start my journey to getting back on track bright and early tomorrow morning! :)

I hope anyone who's gained this past week can learn to not be so down on themselves about it and realize that it's a holiday for a reason. It's something to be celebrated, not feared or looked upon with disgust for yourself, etc. So what if you ate a little more than you hoped you would? Maybe you put back on a few lbs, but it's not 20 more lbs.. and with a little work and a step forward in the right direction you'll have those extra lbs off in no time. I'm not just saying all this to tell you guys and help you out though, I'm saying it for my benefit as well. I know I'll gain like 5 lbs and feel like all 112 have came back on and start calling myself a Fatty McFatfat for it. lol. 5 lbs seems like nothing, and everything all at the same time. It's hard to change your perspective. I am scared that 5 will turn into 50 overnight... but I know better. I will not let myself fall. I'm making plans for my life and going to stick to them.

Happy Thanksgiving...

I'm such a slacker with blogging these days... I think it's not that so much as it is that I'm just more active in my life at this time of year so I'm not online as much. Which is a good thing, right? lol.

I've got a Thanksgiving dinner today with my sister's family here at our house, tomorrow I have to go to a Thanksigving/Family Reunion type of thing with Jett's family, Friday we're having Thanksgiving at my Aunt's house, and then Saturday is my birthday! So needless to say.... this week is full of temptation....

I wish you all the best on coming out on top this holiday weekend with lots of self control and low numbers on the scale! <3 Here's hoping I can do the same. lol

10 months

Here it is, that time again... Pictures and stats!!

It's been 10 months since I started my journey and I am down to 172 lbs. I'm sorry for the shitty mirror pics still. I haven't gotten a new camera yet. Not sure when that'll happen. lol.

and the measurements are...

Starting measurement > Newest one > Amount lost

Bust - 51 in > 39 in > 12 in
Waist - 53 in > 39 in > 14 in
Hips - 58 in > 44 in > 14 in
Arms - 17 in > 13 in > 4 in
Thighs - 31 in > 24 in > 7 in
Calves - 19.5 in > 16.5 in > 3 in
Neck - 16.5 > 13 > 3.5 in

So I'm only down 6 lbs from last month's weigh in.. that's half as good as I was hoping. On the bright side though, I lost inches in every area except for my thighs this month. Not too bad. I'll take it! ^_^

I finally hit that 100 lb mark... so I can safely say that I lost 100 lbs in 10 months. OMG... take a minute and breathe that in Jennifer... okay wow... I have to stop and tell myself these things because sometimes I go too fast to even really realize where I'm coming from. lol.

Something I keep meaning to bring up... I know I have spent most of my journey counting calories. Well for some reason when I went on Vacation just over a month ago, I stopped counting calories and have just been intuitively eating. I can tell when I'm full if I listen to my body and it's nice not having to jot down calories all the time. If I had to guess I'm probably eating closer to 1400 per day instead of the 1200 I was counting before. Some days though like today I probably had 1600-1800. Which isn't great and I really really wish it wasn't raining all day so I could have ran some of that off, but it's not too terrible as long as I'm not doing that everyday. I know I said this is a lifestyle change and I plan on living and eating and working out like this for the rest of my life. I think trusting my body to know when its had enough food now is working out rather well. I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted to, but I think that had a lot more to do with me exercising considerably less than I had in the previous months, too. As far as eating goes, I think I'm finally learning to get a handle on things without having to be super controlling over how many calories something is. I do often tally things up in my head still, but I'm not near as strict. I think I could probably lose these last 22 lbs faster if I were to continue counting calories, but honestly... I'm not in a huge rush to lose all this weight. I think gradual weight loss is healthy. I am finally to a size that isn't so huge I can't do all the things I wanna do, so slowing things down a bit now to a steady pace that's more livable seems okay to me. I dunno.. Does that sound like I'm just making excuses to be more lazy? If so, someone please say so and tell me to wake the fuck up and get back on track. hahaha. But seriously.. I'd love ya'lls opinions on this matter.

As for whatever happened Saturday night, since April wanted to know... I'm happy to announce that as of Sunday morning I now have a boyfriend. <3 I have casually seen guys over the last few years, but my last real committed relationship ended in February of 2009. So yeah.. it's been awhile... but I think that all that time to myself gave me the clarity to wait around until I met someone who was worth it instead of settling for someone who doesn't really deserve me. I am very happy and even a little surprised to feel this way actually. His name is Sparky, well that's a nickname but it's what I've always known him as, and I've known him for just over 5 years now. He is currently living in another state about 8 hours away from me, but is from my area and has relatives here and his son lives here with his mom now so he's actually in town this week spending time with his kid, family, and me. I know long distance relationships are not easy, but I just really think he's worth it. He has plans to be back for another week in December, and then a family reunion on Superbowl weekend. He is also trying to transfer in his company to something that's closer to this area so he doesn't have to be so far away from his son. I'm not sure where things will go for us in the future, but who really does? I have high hopes that this will be a lasting relationship and that's all that matters for now. In regards to what this means for my healthy living journey... nothing bad. lol. He has been very supportive and wonderful about it so far and told me I motivate him to get off his couch a little more now too so that's great. lol. I wouldn't dare allow myself to be with someone who was going to try and take all this away from me or somehow impede my journey. I don't think I have anything to worry about with him in that aspect.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Seriously... I love today and me so much right now!!!! hahaha. I don't care how boastful that sounds because it's the damn truth!

I wake up this morning to a very sweet message that confirms my suspicions and settles some of my fears, while oddly enough creating more and different ones. lol. But nonetheless, tonight things will be resolved and so I am looking forward to finally figuring out what's been going on with me and him, face to face. lol. No matter the outcome, I will be happy to finally know something one way or another.

Then I step on the scale and see...

172 lbs today!!! I went down 2 from yesterday and that puts me at a total loss of 101 lbs since I began my journey on January 15th, 112 lbs overall. I feel amazing!!! I can finally cross off another goal on my timeline over there on the left! lol. (Shhhh. I know my polish is chipping and I need to repaint my toes... doing that later today. lol )

Then I also was able to cross off my last day of the Couch to 5k running plan!!! I completed week 9 with a fucking bang! I ran past the full 30 minutes and did 3.15 miles. That's just over a 5k and I did it in 39 minutes!!! Remember last week I said my goal on day one was to do it in under 42 minutes, and then last week it was to do it in under 40 minutes? Um YEAH bitches, I ROCKED IT!!! lol. I'm on fire today for sure.

Race day is 3 weeks away!!! I am sooo pumped!!! Speaking of which... I still haven't had a single donation for the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital! If you can spare even just a dollar, it'd be great and helpful and you will feel so good for helping a kid in need! <3 Just look on the left of my page and you can figure out how to donate any amount you are comfortable with. Thanks guys, I appreciate the support.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

11/11/11 Oh my!

Yeah... so it's been like a week or so since I last posted, I know.. look at me slacking.. It's just that I've been trying to spend more time offline actually doing things than online sitting on my butt. lol. Not that, its really changed too much... but my blogging time has been cut down on I guess.

I finally hit 174 lbs today! Woohoo.. Been stuck at 175 for days now. lol. I don't know why I let numbers get to me every single day... but yeah.. anyways... I'm doing alright. Been crazy busy deep cleaning my house all week long because I have company coming to visit tomorrow and then all thoughout the next week and then Thanksgiving company, etc.. Then Christmas and so on. So it's just that time of year I decide to go through everything and see what I should toss and what I should keep. Been doing so much cleaning I havent been working out as much as I would like to. But I'm not too worse for the wear I guess.

I did day 2 of week 9 today for the couch to 5k! Tomorrow will be my last day. I ended up having to stop during the first few minutes of jogging today because I dropped something and looked for it but never found it, grr. Part of my headphones to be exact. Anyways.. I started running again but this time didn't look at the clock until I made it all the way back home. I made sure I even ran down another extra street and back to be positive I got at least 30 minutes straight done. Turns out I ran for 45 minutes straight! Not including the few minutes I ran before I stopped. Woohoo!! I feel great. But looking up my distance it was a very slow jog apparently because I only did 2.95 miles. hahaha. I felt myself pick it up and full on run that last mile though. I know I could have definitely pushed harder in the beginning and middle, but that's okay. There were a few tough hills I ran today as well and of course I was pushing Jett also. So all of those things come in to play, too. I am proud of myself nonetheless for jogging that long all at once and not worrying about the time limit or distance, just doing it. I'm very much looking forward to my last day tomorrow. Then the next few weeks I will make sure I still go at least 3 times a week, but it'll be wherever I wanna go for however long I feel like I can do that day. ^_^

Woohoo!!! So much to look forward to in the coming weeks. I love this time of year. I hope you all are alive and well and enjoying this beautiful season! <3 Love you guys. Keep up the good work and stay strong around all the extra food these holiday months!!!

ETA: oh snap... my ticker says it's been 300 days since I started my journey!! Woohoo! AWESOME!

Happy Veterans Day.. thanks to all those who've fought for us.

and it just keeps getting better...

Woohoo! I finally feel like I'm back on track for real this time and pushing on along to where I should be. I was really hoping I would be in the 160s by the first of November. Not quite there yet.. but If I can be 160 something on my birthday, I will be pleased. I know earlier this year I was hoping to hit goal by my birthday, but with the last month or two's setbacks, as long as I do it before January 15th of 2012 then I will still feel like I accomplished it all in one year's time and not be too down on myself for it.

I went down another whole pound today!

I was soo busy yesterday with all the changing rooms around that I never got my last run in and didn't do any exercising all day. I was still up at like 1am and figured, screw it. I'm determined to keep up the good work from the day before and so I did 30 day shred on level 2. It's been a really long time since I tried level 2. lol. It definitely got me using some muscles I hadn't in a while. After a little more procrastination, I finally got my workout done just before 3am. lol. My sleep schedule is a little off, but that can be adjusted later..

Today I finished week 8 of the couch to 5k program!!!! One week left to go!! I'm soo freaking excited. I even noticeably improved my pace today as well. I know on Wednesday, during my 28 minutes, I only jogged a certain distance before time was up. Today I went way past that around the corner almost all the way back to my house. I have no idea what Wednesday's pace was but I checked it today and I did 2.15 miles in 28 minutes. That's not fast by any means, but it's faster than my slow butt had been moving before. lol. It said my pace was 13min/mile which would mean that I could finish my 5k In just over 40 minutes. In this post from day 1 of the couch to 5k I was doing intervals of walking and jogging at a speed of 3.97 mph and today my speed was 4.6 mph. I don't even think I was really pushing as hard as I could have either, I like to take it at a steady pace and just enjoy my thoughts and not even think about the actual activity I'm doing, lol. So on day 1 I would have been able to do a 5k in a little less than 47 minutes. I set a goal of being able to run my race in under 42 minutes. I think I may have to change that goal now, haha. It would be really really awesome if on race day I can cross the finish line in under 40 minutes. To see 30 something minutes would make me ecstatic beyond belief...

Today Rocked!

So last night I did just as I said and got offline to go do the 30 day shred on level 3. I'm very pleased with myself for finally getting back in to the swing of things and this morning the scale was even pleased with me, too! lol. I went down 2 lbs from the day before and am now currently sitting at my lowest weigh-in so far!

Today was a really productive day and so I feel very accomplished. We ended up clearing out an old room full of junk and stored things to make room for all of Jett's toys and a racecar bed, tv, etc so he now has his own playroom. We now have our living room back, too. It took all day moving in the playroom stuff and out of the living room and then cleaning it all up. But now Jett has his own little space back there and it doubles as a guest room since it's got that twin sized bed in there. My brother doesn't have to sleep on the couch on weekends anymore and if my grandma flies in for a visit she has her own room there as well. By the time everything was done I ate some dinner and then headed out the door to do some much needed grocery shopping. While I was there, I came across the cutest winter coat in a style I've been wanting for ages now! I looked at the price and thought wow no way can I afford this right now. Then I realized I had some unexpected money coming to me that wasn't budgeted for something else already and I really need a warm coat that fits right so I ended up buying it! Not only was it cute and warm, it was also a size Medium!! Woohoo. Today rocked.

I feel so lazy...

I've just been in this funk it seems ever since getting back from vacation and have barely lost anything at all in the last 3 weeks. I have not been doing my dvd workouts like I used to do everyday. I've just been getting my couch to 5k runs in and that's it. The only other exercise I get it just walking around with Jett or something. I want to just shake myself and say wake up... it's not maintenance time yet. You still have almost 30 lbs to go til goal so don't give up now. I owe it to myself to get there. I know I can do better than what I have so I'm going to do it.

I have gotten 2 days done of week 8 though on the couch to 5k. Tomorrow I will do day 3 and then only one week left!!! I am excited. I haven't accomplished nothing and I should recognize that. Yesterday on my jog, I didnt take my headphones or Jett. I just went alone with my thoughts and eventually let it soak in that I'm about to be running in a race exactly 1 month from tomorrow. At this point in time last year I would have laughed at the idea of someone like me doing anything like that. Now I'm not just gonna dream it, I'm gonna be it. And that realization made me break down and cry. Only for a moment, but it was nice to finally feel myself acknowledging the changes in myself that are more than physical. I keep talking about how I know they exist, but that's just because logically I am smart enough to understand that they do. Not because I actually can feel it all the time. A lot of times it's just too much for me to really grasp, ya know?

I dunno... I just.... I feel.



My eating has not been up to par though lately either. With Aunt Flow here all last weekend and then halloween... ugh.. So much candy and cookies and other bad choices. I've never had so many binges in a row along this journey. Now is not the time to be breaking down, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, followed immediately by my birthday, and then Christmas. I need to whip my ass in to gear right damn now. Enough of this slacking...


I'm going to get up now and turn on my dvd player and do the 30 day shred level 3. I know it's kinda late, but if I don't do it now I just feel like I will keep on procrastinating.