Once a Week Challenge

If you are a Biggest Loser fan then you know that once a week they are put through a physical challenge. Well, why not incorporate a challenge into my weekly workouts? Maybe that will give me a little boost! So my challenge this week was to run 3 miles.

I did it! Normally I would not post a picture of myself unless I at least had make-up on, but I was too proud of myself not too! A 5K run in 48:36 .... not bad, roughly 16 min/mile. Any ideas for once a week challenges?

I also realized that I completely forgot that today is the last day of 2008... I'm a little ditsy this morning. So to finish 2008 right I took my measurements and am finishing this year with a total of 15.5 inches off my body for good! Not a bad ending... or beginning.

I am not making any resolutions for 2009. I figure I know what needs to be done, and what I need to do to get there. Its just a matter of waking up tomorrow morning and staying focused.

Happy New Year!!

Working On Perfection

**Note to self**

You don't lose weight by going back for seconds

Ok, so day one was a little rough. Bread is my weakness... and really, I did fine until dinner where I had 3 pieces of toast with my chili. (recipe to follow) Oh yeah, and two helpings of chili....ugh!

So, today is another day and I am still fighting myself to gain some kind of control over what I eat. On the positive note I did drink 64 oz of water yesterday, did an intense upper body workout, and ate 85% clean. I just need to work a little harder at it today.

Turkey and Bean Chili

1 lb ground turkey breast

1 large Onion

2 red bell peppers

4 large cloves of garlic

3 tblspns tomato paste

2 tblspns chili powder

1 tblspn ground cumin

1 tspn dried oregano

1 tspn salt

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 (14 oz) can chicken broth

2 (15 oz) cans mixed beans for chili, rinsed and drained

1 zucchini, chopped

In a large soup pot, over medium high heat, cook the turkey, onion and bell peppers, sirring frequently for 8 minutes or until the turkey is cooked through. Add the garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt. Stir constantly for 1 minute.

Add the sweet potato, diced tomatoes (with juice) and chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes covered.

Stir in the beans and zucchini. Return to simmer and cover for 30 more minutes.

Makes 8 servings

Per serving : 227 calories, 17 g protein, 29 g carbs, 5 g fat, 680 mg sodium, 10 g dietary fiber

On a funny note..... Angel lost her first baby tooth last night! Its been loose for a couple of days now and after taking a couple of bites of an apple she came running in last night so excited that Tinker Bell would be coming for her tooth! LOL... too funny. (p.s. we are trying to grow her bangs out, so unless she has a clip holding them back she is running around blind!)

Get Going!!!

I have been blogging for almost 3 years now.(read my old posts at Where Is Tigerlilly?? ) I'm not really sure what happened the entire first year I blogged... maybe I was just thinking about losing weight! Ha.... that would fit! Over the last two years I have inched my way down from 225 to 184.5 lbs. I cant say I worked a miracle, after all it took me 2 years to lose 40.5 lbs (that is an average of losing a little under half a pound every week) but I will say that I never gave up. I had my bad days and my really bad weeks... but I always started again.

A friend of mine, that I have admired since day one, has really pushed it into high gear and blown right past me. Of course, my competitive spirit gave a kick and now I want to catch up to her. It really got me thinking. Am I as committed to losing weight as I thought I was... or am I just doing the bare minimum to get me by? I am no stranger to this tactic. Although I thought I had grown out of it. Maybe not. Maybe that is exactly what I am doing now.

Maybe I should see just how far I could go if my heart and stomach were in it 100%.

Ok, then I need a plan. What am I not doing 100%? That's easy.... I don't drink water, I drink crystal lite... So,

1) Drink WATER

Another thing I do is snack between meals... and never on healthy snacks.

2) If I need a snack, drink a glass of freshly juiced carrots! (I just bought 5 lbs!)

Another easy one....

3) Eat fresh... nothing out of a can or box (except maybe tuna!)

I think that my food is always where I go wrong. My workouts are killer and I know that they are the only reason I have seen any kind of results thus far. I don't want to give that up, but I don't want to get crazy with it either. So I will stay with what I am doing right now.

4) FOCUS on eating right..... more then working out.

Ok. Now I have a plan. Now I need to give myself a challenge.... that's how my brain works, crazy I know. So.... here is my personal challenge.

Lose 20 lbs in the next two months. (that would be 164.5 by Feb 28th)

I better get started!

NSV's (non scale victories)

Sometimes when you are trying to lose weight but the numbers dont budge you need to focus on other signs of success.... for me it was fitting into a size 12 sun dress that I got for Christmas! I would never have squeezed into this tiny thing 3 months ago... (and there is room to spare!) It made me feel very girly!

I also got a pair of MBT's! Oh yeah.. these shoes are awesome! They put you off balance so that your leg muscles are in constant use...all while making your posture so much better. It takes the stress off of your joints, so my knees are feeling much better. Well worth the money!

I am having an 'inner body' experience. Its hard to explain, but I am feeling every muscle and bone that was once hiding under layers of fa... blankets. Now that those blankets are coming off I feel like a whole new body is emerging. In the mirror I have seen it happening.. but this is the first time I can say I 'feel' it happening.

Today's Workout: 3 sets 15 on each....

Bent Over Row
Lat Pulldown
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press
Dumbbell Upright Row
Cable Curl
Pressdown

Cardio: 5 minute warm up jog , followed by 15 minutes of "1 minute on, 1 minute off" intervals, finish with a 5 minute cool down jog/walk

Weigh In Day

I decided that I needed to make today my weigh in day. If I waited until Monday I would probably spend the whole weekend thinking 'I'll just start on Monday'. Not the way of thinking I am trying so hard to improve! So, I am starting today. For my weight (Drum roll Please).........

184.5

I LOST 2 lbs over Christmas! I'm not sure how, but it sure is a nice present. So, on to the pic updates....

The last Pic I took.....(193.5)

Today's Pic 12/27/08 (184.5)

Ok, so different angles and a little closer up... but I see a small change. I think the biggest changes are in my legs and since there is no 'before' pic I don't see the point of posting a 'now' pic. Just take my word for it!!

Today's workout: 3 sets of 15 each....

Incline Dumbbell Press

Flat Bench Dumbbell Fly

Seated Row

Overhead Dumbbell Press

Lateral Raise

Dumbbell Lying Triceps

Extensions

Dumbbell Curl

Cardio:

5 min warm up jog, followed by 15 minutes of "30 seconds on, 1 min off" intervals, during which you sprint for 30 seconds and walk for 1 minute. Finished with a 5 minute cool down jog.

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow"

- Doug Firebaugh

Christmas....

We had a wonderful Christmas. Some how I managed to get the flu for Christmas... which made Christmas Eve that much longer. I think I got a total of 2 hours sleep before hubby was up turning on the tree lights and getting breakfast going. I managed to get up and sit on the couch before Baby woke up. She walked in and saw all the presents... then immediately ran down the hall whispering "Its Christmas, Its Christmas, Its Christmas..." until she reached Angels room. "WAKE UP... ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!!" she yelled at her snoozing sister.

My mom and her boyfriend managed to drive through a snow storm to get to our house at 7:30. We all had a blast watching the girls tear through paper and boxes to get to their toys. The best part is they played together... no fighting, no crying... just laughed and played. Great day!

In the afternoon the family left and I laid down in my bed for half an hour before Hubbys brother (who just got back from a tour in Iraq) and his wife and daughter knocked on the door bringing the girls presents. It was great to see them.. well worth the interruption.

An hour later I was in the shower getting ready for my FIL's Christmas party. For once everyone was happy and having a good time there. No fighting, no whispering, no rolling of the eyes... just happy family. The whole family got personalized jackets with the brand of my FIL's cattle on them. They are great!

We got home around 8 and I was asleep a minute later. I feel much better today and managed to clean up the living room and get my house looking some what normal again.

OH... Hubby got a Perfect Pull-Up and has already hung it in the door frame. Its time to work out!

Monday morning will be my weigh in day... lets hope for a small gain! LOL

Christmas Eve....

I love this day. So much to do, so much to look forward to. I have a list of 15 things that have to get done today. Not too much, mostly cleaning and making room for the family that will be coming in the morning to watch the girls open presents. I am also making a dish of Enchiladas to take to my FIL's Christmas party tomorrow night.

Tonight is dinner and a small present exchange at my Grandmothers house. I am praying that the next snow storm will stay at bay until we get home again tonight. Yesterday they got 14 inches... and another 12-16 inches is expected tonight...yikes. Have I ever told you that I am terrified of snow? Long story... some other time.

So, every Christmas my hubby tries as hard as he can to wait until Christmas morning to give me my presents... but he never makes it. Last night he got all teary eyed and handed me a small present. "It's the only present I have for you...." he said. Poor guy, as much as I tell him, he just doesn't understand that I don't need anything but him and the girls for Christmas. So we sat by the wood stove (it was freezing last night) while the girls were sound asleep in our bed under tons of blankets. I opened the box and found the most beautiful purple silk pouch... inside was a silver and diamond... yes, real diamonds... necklace. It is breathtaking. I have never seen anything so beautiful. I am going to wear it tonight to the party... and will be sure to get some pictures taken of me wearing it! I love this man!

The girls are letting off a constant hum of excitement. Baby seems to keep an eye on the fireplace... just in case! I was hoping to build a fire in it tonight, but I'm afraid Baby would have a fit.

I did not run again today and have already made up my mind to make this a little, but well earned, break from working out. I will start again on Friday! Just in time for my first Monday morning weigh-in!

Wishing you all a family filled day tomorrow. Merry Christmas!!!

2 More Days Until Christmas... is OVER!!!

I am no Scrooge... but I cannot wait until Christmas is over. I am tired of the rude people at the stores, the crazy drivers on the streets and the Christmas cookies taking over my kitchen. Now, I know there isn't a whole lot I can do about the first two but the last one... well, that is totally my fault. I am craving ginger and oatmeal cookies like crazy this year. I am sure I am becoming just as round and pudgy as Santa at this point, but I cant help it. It is mostly the stress of money that is causing me to eat, and eat, and eat. Its bad enough not having money, but to not have money at Christmas is really hard. We have managed to get the girls quite a few presents that I think they will really enjoy... and really, its ALL about the kids!

So, I cannot wait for Christmas to be over so I can enjoy the girls and their presents and STOP EATING COOKIES!!! LOL

I ran yesterday... but not as far as I usually go. Today I went and got my hair cut. Nothing major, just a trim and some layers. But because my appointment was early this morning and the area got hit with 14" of new snow last night... I skipped running this morning so that I could leave early. So, now I am home but do not feel like running (especially after those 3 cookies I ate with lunch). I need to clean my house and start getting it ready for company, but I am stuck on the computer! LOL... ok, so I'm not 'stuck' on it... I just have a lot of catching up with you all!

Long story short. I am being really lazy today and need to get my beautiful butt moving!

See You Tomorrow!

First day at Disneyland was very exciting. After 12 hours on a train where we had to sleep sitting up we were looking forward to checking in to the hotel and then taking a dive in the pool. Because we happend to be there the same day that Hannah Montana was having her birthday party, we got to spend the entire time in the pool listening to her songs. As much as I could not stand it... my daughter was very much enjoying it and was dancing in the pool!

The girls wore themselves out everyday... but it was worth it. We went on every ride they could go on and then some. (just for the record, this is the first picture I have of my husband without his sunglasses on in years)

Of course we had to get a family picture taken with Mickey before we left!! I will have to do a comparison to the same picture taken last year... you can really see a difference, at least I think so!!

So, our disney trip was a blast. The family was all there too. Granny, Great Grandma and Aunt. Definitley a trip to remember.

Day 1

I have dusted the cobwebs off my keyboard (literally) and am ready to start blogging again! I was so excited to see that I have not been forgotten... thank you so much for being so very patient! I have to say that life is so very boring when you don't have a computer. Now that I am back I will have to pace myself! LOL

So much has happened over the past 6? months with my diet. I have had my breakdowns along with my victories. Really, I have managed to stay focused and that is it. Of course, that is really all you need to do. Sure, your vision becomes blurred now and then when your eye falls on a heavenly piece of chocolate, but what is important is that you pull yourself away and focus in again.

I am calling today my 'Day 1'... not because it is my first day at attempting to lose weight... heavens no. I have been doing this for 3 years. It has taken me 2 years to lose 45 lbs. I am still 40 lbs shy of my goal weight, but I am happy to do it slow and steady. I have learned a lot about myself during this whole process. Every step I stumble brings me to a new realization that I am stronger then I thought. I am running now. Something I couldn't do at 16 when I weighed 160... I am mastering it now at 30 and 186.5 lbs. I love that I am making my body and mind stronger every day that I struggle.

I cant say that my goal is a number. Sure, I would look great at 145 lbs... but its not really my 'goal'. I think I would associate the word 'goal' with being healthy, running a 5K in 30 minutes, wearing a size 6 and living to see 80. Those are my goals. So if I happen to see 145 on the scale along the way... I will celebrate... A LOT.... but I will also keep going. Keep giving myself challenges that I will have to work hard for.

Sure you can go on a diet and lose 40 lbs and then be happy to stop... but what exactly have you accomplished?? Set a goal... other then a number on the scale and work towards it.

So, welcome to my Day 1..... I am dying to see how you all have been doing so I am off to cruise the blog world.

See you tomorrow!!! Stay tuned for much needed picture and measurement updates!

I am having serious withdrawls......

Almost two months has gone by and I have not had a chance to post. Even now I am sitting at my mothers house waiting for my Grandmothers 82nd birthday party to start. So... in these for short minutes I have to write I will try to update you as much as possible....

First, and most importantly, my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year and I yelled with excitement.... THE INTERNET BACK ON!!!! So, if all goes to plan I will be posting my Christmas pictures from home on Christmas morning.... be sure that I will be visiting ALL of you and wishing you well!!

My weight is steady at 186.5! I am excited about this because with the holidays surrounding me with cakes, cookies, chocolate and delicious food I have been all but good about eating.....

My workouts have been fantastic. I am running 6 days a week... and I do mean running. I am in no way a match to some of you girls.. but I can run a mile without stopping in 14 minutes. On top of that I have started the P90X workouts again because I am hoping for some nice clothes for Christmas and I want them to look fantastic on me!!

I have to get back to helping with the preparations for the party but know that I am always thinking of you guys... every single one of you! I will be back and with a vengeance... have a Merry Christmas and may God bless you with everything you need this up and coming new year.