So I accidentally promised that I would update my blog every week. 

WHOOPS!

 Every day it seems like it's on my "to-do" list, but somehow making money, the hubby, and life seem to catch up to me and it ends up on the next day...so ALOT has happened since I last blogged!

• I cruised....and lost a pound the week I was gone, without limiting my food intake. Still asking myself how that happened!! I also wore a bathing suit in front of 1,000s of people without feeling like I was hurting others eyesight. :D Even though I'm no skinny minnie yet, if you know me at all, you know that this alone was a HUGE feat for me. 
• The weight loss competition is OVER and I lost 21 pounds in 10 weeks (45 pounds total now), coming in 2nd place!  

• 

  At the beginning of the competition...  

  

  The Weight Loss Competition Party last Friday night

  
  

  

  Teresa and I (being the goofy goobers we are)...couldn't have done it with out my VERY supportive teammate and all the other girls at the gym!
  

• So...I'm afraid to mention this too much, for fear that I will get my rear kicked at the gym, but...I genuinely LIKE maybe even LOVE (not sure yet) to work out. I wake up every morning before my alarm goes off (which happens to be 7am, and for those of you that are close, know that I have NEVER been a morning person) and am excited to head to the gym.  It really doesn't matter what class...ok scratch that, RPM and most DEFINITELY have a love/hate relationship. My favorite class is Body Combat, which includes tons of boxing and kicking. It's probably the hardest, but it's something I've never done before, so it's super exciting!



Embarrassing proof, thanks to T!

• I now wear...a size 10! And to you, that's really no big deal, I know. But this is the smallest I have ever been. Remember, I am the girl who was very "contented" at my Avg. size 14. Throughout this journey, I have set small goals, they help to make the bigger one THAT much closer. My first one was to break 200 lbs and that's IN THE PAST :D And my second was to be a single digit size and that is coming SO SOON, and I LOVE it. Once, I get there, I'm not sure what I'll do...but I'll let you know.

That's it for now...thanks to ALL of you for the encouragement and keeping me in check. I had no idea how many people kept up with me, or that I was even cool enough to have people read my blog!

Starting Weight/size: 227 lbs/ size 18

Current Weight: 182 lbs/ size 10

Weight Loss to Date: 45 pounds

Favorite Food I've eaten Recently: Baked Whiting

Words for Today:The secret to contentment is to believe that where you are, who you are, and what you have is right for you at this time.

New progress pics coming soon!

Love you All!

B

Never Going Back to Okay...

I didn't realize it's been TWO weeks since I've blogged, and my goal was at the VERY least to do this weekly, so...YIKES I have to catch up. 

Two weeks ago I didn't lose a POUND...

I didn't gain a POUND...

I was a little discouraged, therefore I didn't think it would be wise for me to blog and show that negativity. 

Then I got so busy, with life...working out...work...getting ready for my CRUISE...it's tornado season here in 'ole Bama and that put me back a couple of days via the no power and new cell phone :D

Last week I lost TWO lbs...WAHOO!

Although, I still have to remind myself WEEKLY...hey, DAILY that doing this the "right" way I'm not going to lose 7 lbs in one week. At times I get super frustrated, but I know that I will thank myself...for FOREVER.

But I'm still alive and going strong most days. And when I'm not, I have a great group of girls that support me no matter what. I can definitely say I wouldn't be here without God and my girls at the gym. It's kinda crazy, because we all see each other every day so we've all became pretty close.

The Girls from the gym on Katty's birthday before out Weight Loss competiton started.

SO I've had this inspiring Christian song in my head the past couple of days, its called "Never Going Back to Okay" by the Afters (who put on a great concert BTW).  And it's crazy, because it's pretty much exactly what I need to be telling myself in the midst of this.  Here's the lyrics:

It’s not the end but it feels like it is

I’m waking up like I’m back from the dead

I’m stepping out and it feels so free

But as long as I’m moving it’s alright

I feel alive and it hurts for a change

I’m looking back its hard to believe

That I was cool with the days that I wasted

Complacent and tasteless and bored

But that was yesterday

We’re never going back to ok

We’re never going back to easy

We’re never going back to the way it was

We’re never going back to ok

This discontent, like a slap in the face

A mediocre I’ve had enough of this place

This party’s over and I’m moving away

From the frills of your Beverly Hills

That was yesterday

We’re never going back to ok

We’re never going back to easy

We’re never going back to the way it was

We’re never going back to ok

We’re here to stay

This is our time

My only life

Our chance to live

To note: Today I lost FOUR pounds!! I couldn't believe it!! And did you know that puts me at 196 (yes, that means under 200 which was a huge deal for me). 

Because I'm never going back to okay. 

For years "okay" for me was a size 14, because afterall that is the average size of women in the US. So I was average, I was okay. I wasn't happy, I secretly loathed my sister, friends, and ladies that I knew because they could wear anything they wanted and eat anything they wanted and be a single digit pant size.  I would agonize over buying a bathing suit (not sure that will ever change lol). And then college came and I moved on up into a size 16, but I was still "okay".  Guys like curves, right?  Haha These are the lies I used to tell myself. 

But what do I know now??? 

God wants better for me than okay. While I can guarantee that God doesn't care if I wear a bikini, God wants the following for all mankind:

• positive self image
• to treat my body as His temple
• longevity and fulfillment of life
• healthy living

These are the things that keep me motivated...and well, if I'm being honest the cute bikini's too. :D

Profile for Week 5:

 

Started at: 227 lbs 

(size 18)

Current Weight: 196 lbs

(size 12/14)

Current food Obsession:

Chobani Yogurt (kinda a big deal, because I've always HATED yogurt, until about 2 months ago. It's now a daily occasion).

Here's to another week to Healthy!

<3 b

Suck it up...

Motivation for Today: This picture

Favorite Thing I've Eaten Today: Spicy Couscous and chicken breast

For as long as I can remember, I have HATED taking pictures, and in my mind it always goes a little something like this: 

"On three...two....***suck in the gut and grit your teeth, even though you're not going to be satisfied with the way the camera adds 10 lbs (or maybe I just wasn't satisfied PERIOD)...one!"

I can't wait for the day to come when it's something more like this: 

"On three...two...'hmmm hope there's nothing in my teeth', oh well...one."  

It's worth it, for pictures, for me, today, and for all the tomorrows to come.

I will admit, this week has been...difficult at times. I don't normally pin myself for 'Debbie Downer', but I will say that my ankle has been KILLING me from past injuries, I 'lost my cookies' in the middle of Body Pump (& kept going after that...not sure how), am fighting sinus issues/ sore through/ stopped up head, have had several asthma flare ups, and Thursday had my first day where I just kept telling myself I couldn't do it.

So after that depressingly dark run-on sentence, I'm here to say that NOTHING is stopping this girl. I refuse to get sick, use my ankle and asthma as a crutch, and tell myself I can't any longer!!

  Here's to another day, and another day closer to not sucking in my gut.

B

It's the little things....

Favorite thing I've ate today: Pork roast, carrots, and mushrooms

Motivation for today: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future." Jer 29:11

So here am I...starting week 3 of the Weight Loss competition @ Katty Fitness and this week I lost 3lbs! I am super excited! I have to keep reminding myself this is different than Weight Watchers, or normal Yo-Yo's. BECAUSE there were weeks before I got married (when I was on WW) that I would lose 5 to 7 lbs. BUT...I wasn't eating realistically (a couple of pieces of turkey, high sodium canned soup, string cheese, LOTS of frozen dinners, fast food kids meals...ugghhh) or making daily life decisions that I knew I could follow daily for the rest of my life. And I NOW understand the inches are much more important and that's where it's at!! I was excited before I stepped on the scale this week, because I saw a huge difference there alone. 

I know I've said it before, and I will continue saying it, but I don't care about the numbers. I just can't WAIT to be in the best shape of my life! I feel better now than I have in years, I can't wait for what's ahead!!

So  there's the evidence...I know it doesn't look like much, but let me tell you what I am excited about:

• my legs are smaller NOW than they were when I weighed 170 lbs  
• you might not can tell, but my stomach is evening out to one level which has NEVER happened (I didn't say no fat, just not rolls of it :D...oh and sorry for the graphic detail, but if I'm not helping anyone I'm helping myself)
• I have NO cravings for "bad food". Also, I haven't had anything but water since Jan 1, and the thought of sweet tea, makes me dream up a migraine. The only thing I occasionally still want is Mexican, and I've trained myself to eat healthy there :D
• I'm full ALL the time...almost annoyingly so (yes, just made that word up)
• my sz. 14 skinny jeans fit again (even though I won't be wearing them for long!
• Exercizing makes me so happy...I can assuredly say that has never come out of my mouth!

No Day BUT Today!!!

B

Skip the destination....

Found this today on Pinterest (my addiction to this website is unreal and completely unnecessary, however, it does have some great 'get fit' motivation :D)...and the statement really clicked, like whooaa.
 My whole life, I have wanted to "get fit" for Prom...or my wedding...or someone else's wedding...or vacation, etc. There's always been an end goal. So the few times I have lost weight successfully, has been a huge yo-yo. For example, I lost 50 pounds to get married and go to Cancun, and felt great!

Josh and I, Summer 2008 at a friend's wedding

This is the day before I got married (approx 170 lbs) . I'm the token redhead in the middle. And these are some of my best friends.

My wedding day, sweaty as can be, with my handsome hubby.

BUT somehow the "all-inclusive" honeymoon, continued after I came home to Alabama...continued until I had gained back to my original size 16...oh and continued on up to a size 18 pants (I can't believe I just a) said that semi-publicly and b) made this sentence a complete run-on just so you would get the idea).
So here's me at my biggest ever:

August 2010, For my facebook picture, I cropped out the huge arm, but since we're going for raw truth, I'm showing it for pure motivation.

This was July 2011 in Dallas, TX at National Rally for Premier Designs. I don't think I've mentioned yet, I have the BEST job ever!

The truth is that when I look at these pictures, I see myself MISERABLE in my own skin. Not because I hate my body, because that's never really been the issue. But I have always let food be my vice and comfort. But to say that>>I've never been overly drawn to cooking, sweets, carbonated beverages, fried food in general, etc. Even as a small child, I loved fruits and veggies. But guess what I live in the SOUTH!!
I'm pretty sure Sweet Tea used to be my middle name, bread goes with EVERY meal, if it's edible we'll fry it, and dairy is WHAT we do. Those combined with my Mexican food obsession, which I am sure will be a whole other blog entry alone, is what got me to 200+ lbs and what my mother calls "dog tired" at the end of every day, for no reason. But it also got me a long laundry list of health problems, which I am also sure will be it's own blog.
So here I am striving for fit. Not a size 2, but fit, and happy. Not for a trip, or an event. But because, I deserve it, and God deserves a self-controlled temple, not a selfish, irrationally emotional being. 
Here is progress:



I don't have "shirt off" Day 1 pictures, because I wasn't that brave. But for some reason, today I was :D
Excuse the attire, and again, the flabby arm...but it's motivation...
AND Soon to come: fit pics :D
Blessings,
B

The Non Vday, Non Blogger...What Am I doing...

Okay...so yes, this is several years ago. Notice how it's very zoomed on the facial area. Maybe I will get brave enough to post before and afters...but not today :D

So here's me...starting a blog...to keep myself accountable. I'm sure that I'm the only one out there who will likely care about the rambling going on with this girl. I really can't believe I'm even putting my fingers to work, I'm normally the avid reader, most def NOT the writer. And no, this is not about Valentines Day...sorry to disappoint, but I do love my adoring, supportive hubby oh so very much. 
BUT, as previously stated it's in the works to keep myself on track with...da-da-da-dum my WEIGHT LOSS goal (or as I so often refer to it as my lifestyle change).
At the first of the year, I committed to lose, be healthy. That's it, not necessarily a certain number, or look. Although, I'm aware from previously doing WW, that the avg weight for me is between 135-150 for my height. Also, as I told my  trainer  this week, a BIKINI would be nice. However, I won't go rushing into anything, and I'm not entirely sure I'll have the guts to wear one in public considering the last time I did I think I was probably five. But I would love to know I could :D
Here's motivation:
Started at: 227 lbs, size 18
Current weight: 201 lbs
Goal: healthy, bikini, possibly in the 135-145  lbs range
Weight Lost to Date:26 lbs, in b/t size 14/16
Favorite Thing I ate today: can't choose between guac and shrimp
I should also mention...
I'm one week into a ten week fitness competition with the goal of course being weight loss. I started this after my health journey began, but thought 'why not use some extra motivation'. I'm on a team of four encouraging ladies, the goal is for everyone to lose 40 lbs. Winning team gets a whopping $1000. What better motivation is there?!?!
Happy Vday...and no chocolate hearts this way,
B