11 Pounds Down!

So, it has been a little bit since I last posted. I believe we last left off at my clothing meltdown. All of the offending items have been returned and I have not been back to those stores. I have just decided that I am in between sizes at the moment and plan to wait a few more pounds before going back into the clothing jungle.
Now, to the latest and greatest news......*drum roll please* I am down 11 pounds! As of this morning, which is 10 weeks since I started tracking my weight, I am down exactly 11 pounds! I am pretty happy about that. Proud of my accomplishment. Maybe I will pick up a 10 pound dumbbell to feel the extra weight I am no longer carrying around. :)
While I am proud of my progress so far, I know I could be doing better. Leslie Sansone and I are not seeing as much of each other as we used to. I really enjoy her workouts and I don't feel like I am bored or worn out on them. It just seems that for whatever reason, the past few weeks I have not wanted to work out after work. Before work is NOT an option at this time. When I get home all I want to do is curl up in my bed with my Kindle and little Sammy. We watch Dr. Oz and sometimes take a little power nap.
Before this loss of energy, we would watch 30 min of Dr. Oz and then I would change and move to the living room and fire up the DVD. Perhaps my energy is low because I get up so early (4:45-5:00a)? I go to bed early and I don't really feel tired or like I am dragging at work. I have some B vitamins I bought a few months ago that I think I am going to start taking around 12:00p-1:00p to see if that helps. I feel like I just need a little afternoon boost of some sort that will help carry me through the 3:30-4:00 crash feeling. I know there are other friends out there going through similar battles with weight. I wish they lived closer, so we could have a work out group!
So my next goal is 10 more pounds (9 at this point!) and to try and get back to working out again. Fortunately, I have been very diligent with my eating. So, that has helped. I am still very proud of my 11 pounds, I just want to use this good news as a catalyst to kick it up a notch! Until next time! :)

A 'ME' day with a side of discouragement...

Overall it was a good week. When I weighed myself on Friday, I had lost the pound I gained in Alabama plus a little more. So, I am at least now below what I weighed before the labor day holiday. This was encouraging.
So, I decided this Friday was going to be abut me.  I was way overdue to get my hair cut and my highlights touched up. I was actually due for a hair cut and such back in early July. I usually go every 8 weeks, so it was time. It was great catching up with her and as always she did an excellent job! After that appointment I went to go get a manicure. My friend Sharla gets Shellac and I always think her nails look fantastic. So, I asked for the number of her manicurist and made an appointment. My nails look great! She did a really good job and I will be sure to make her my regular person!
After all of that, I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to stop off at the mall on my way home. My wardrobe has felt pretty thin since I gained so much weight this year. Pants, etc. are at a minimum and shirts are hit or miss. I honestly feel like I rotate the same like 6 or 8 items every weekend. Work is not a big deal. I wear kakis and a work polo...I decided that a while ago to simplify things.
So, while I was perusing the racks I just didn't see anything that appealed to me. Is is just me or are all of the jeans these days 'skinny' or 'slim fit'? I have no interest in skinny jeans...at all. Not even when I was at my best weight would they have appealed to me. They look cute on the skinny people...except MEN.... However, I have big calves, so right there, it looks really odd. I swear 97% of what I saw was a skinny fit. I found a few boot cut. I even tried on a pair that I think fit pretty good. I wasn't 100% sold on them and since I was out shopping by myself, I didn't have anyone to give an opinion. So, I left them.
Shirts are usually not as difficult. I went to two stores that I frequent and picked up a new shirt. Even t-shirts are starting to have 'slim' and 'skinny' cuts....WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT!? I feel like that is really code for 'little to no chest fit'. Again even at my best weight, I still have a chest and that does not work too well with 'slim' and 'skinny' cut. It has been a while since I went shopping, but I have to say, I am a bit disappointed in the world, has fashion really changed that dramatically? Maybe it just wasn't my shopping day. Maybe this is why I buy so many pairs of shoes?
So, this afternoon I tried on the new shirts I bought. They did not fit..in the slightest. Not even in the, 'I am almost there, I will keep it and fit into it' kind of way. So, needless to say, I had a pretty decent meltdown. Tears, anger, all major emotions made an appearance. Maybe it is just the cuts of the shirts. I really don't know. I do know I will be returning them tomorrow. I am trying not to get myself down about it, I know everyone goes through stuff like this. I know some of my clothes are looser, I am not imagining that. I just feel a little lost about it.
I wasn't sure I wanted to write about this and put it out there for the whole world to see. However, if I pick and choose what I want to share about my journey, then that sort of defeats the purpose of starting this blog. So, I would say in a sea of positivity so far, this has been a pretty big negative. I will keep going. I will keep my head up no matter how much I don't want to. However, I am currently soliciting recommendations for new places to shop. I see people of all shapes and sizes wearing cute stuff all the time. Where are they finding it? Where is this magical store? Please, spill the secret! Until next time. <3

Good Report!

So, it has been a little while since I posted on here. Things have been pretty busy! Last Monday I had a follow up appointment with my doctor. It has been a month since he changed my medicine. Well, when I got to the doctor and they weighed me, their scale read that I lost 9 pounds since I saw him on August 1st! I was pretty surprised and very happy! According to my home scale I was only down about 8 pounds. Dr. M said he was very happy with the progress I am making and to keep up the good work. I have to get blood work in October, but other than that he does not need to see me for 6 months! Unless I feel like something has changed and I need to see him. After having monthly doctors appointments for the last several months, this was great news!
That visit was just the motivation I needed! Not, that I wasn't motivated to begin with, but that certainly keeps it going! :)
I am still working out pretty regularly. For the past month I have been averaging 2 to 3 times a week. I am hoping to improve that to 3 to 4 days in the next month or so. I really like the Walk at Home DVD, I feel like I am really getting a good cardio workout. The Walk Away the Pounds DVD is good too, but I would say it is not nearly as intense as the other. So, I have not been using that one as much. Only on days where I am not feeling too well, but I want to get in some sort of exercise. I am hoping that with the fall coming on, I can go out to Cranes Roost on a more regular basis. I have always loved putting in laps over there. There is also a trail nearby that I would like to visit a little more often. Between the extreme heat and the afternoon showers, it has just not worked out.
I am still making good food choices and have totally cut out soda! I would say it has been at least 6 weeks since I last had one. Water or unsweet tea with Stevia is what I drink now. Also, I am having more fruit. I have settled into a pretty good routine. If I am out and about and the good choices are harder to come by, I just watch my portion sizes and that seems to be working. I still will indulge in a dessert every now and then. However, my sugar and carb cravings are much more controlled. It is like night and day how I feel now and how I felt a few months ago!
Last weekend we went to Alabama to see my Granny and my brother and his family. I planned ahead with healthy snacks and plenty of bottled water for our drive up. I did indulge in a McDonald's iced coffee, they are so good! When we got to Alabama, I told Carlos that I was not going to go crazy, but I would not deprive myself of some good home cooking. We went out to eat mostly while we were there. I paid attention to portion sizes. Fried catfish, okra, hush puppies. It was delicious! Haha! I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with my family! Sunday we went up on Cheaha Mountain and did a lot of walking and then hiked to the water falls. During the hike as difficult as it was, I know that the past month of workouts helped. Months ago, a day like that would have left me couch ridden for a few days after. I felt tired but energized after it was all over. It was a great workout! 
My little nephew Leland is growing like a weed and has so much to say! I also enjoy sitting and spending time with my Granny. I miss them terribly, but will go back for a visit as soon as I can.
This morning I did my traditional Friday weigh in and it looks like I gained about a pound on our trip. This is not a devastating thing, I was enjoying myself with family. If the cost of that is a pound, well then bring it on! Lol! Time to get back to my routine after a long weekend and a short work week. I am more motivated than ever and plan to keep chipping away at the number on the scale! :)

The Scale Moved! :)

So, it has been a little over a week since I last posted. It has been a GREAT week! I have been working pretty hard. I was a little discouraged when I weighed myself last Friday. The scale was exactly the same. I think with the help of my workout DVD's, I have been losing inches though. I never took any measurements, but I have felt a difference in my pants and shorts that make me think this. I also think my stomach has gone down a little. It seems like I carry most of my extra weight in my tummy and in my face, so those are usually noticeable first. Call me cautiously optimistic! Today I weighed myself and the scale finally moved! I am officially 6 pounds lighter! I am working in 10 pound increments. So, we are only 4 pounds away from my first goal! This definitely ups the motivation factor!

In at least 2 1/2 weeks, I have been soda free....I never thought I could live without the Sweet Nectar of the Gods...especially with an unlimited supply at work! Lol! Luckily, we have an ice and water machine and I have my insulated cup I fill up about twice a day. It has only been water, un-sweet tea with stevia and fat free (Lactose Free) milk for me.

I have also been watching my snacking and portions. I used to constantly graze at work around mid morning and especially mid afternoon. I have been alternating between a whole grain English muffin with a small amount of butter on it with yogurt and a piece of fruit OR a bowl of Fiber One cereal. Either of those seems to keep me satiated for a few hours. For a snack, I will usually have a granola square or a yogurt. Lunch consists of a sandwich, and sugar free jello pudding OR a yogurt, OR Fiber One bar. I have always heard that sometimes you are not hungry, just dehydrated. I am starting to believe that. Sipping on my ice water throughout the day seems to be helping.
There have been quite a few parties at work, people graduating, getting married, moving, etc. There have been a bunch of sweets in the office. Doughnuts, Cup Cakes, Cake (from Costco with about 6" of icing), and ice cream. I have a MAJOR sweet tooth that is just now getting under control.  Thankfully, I get off work at 3, so I am usually gone by the time the parties commence. There was a Pizza Party to celebrate a sales goal being met in another department. I stayed at my desk and stuck to my lunch I brought. I think I could say no now that I am seeing results. Yesterday a customer brought some pasta with calamari and other sea food in it. I came pretty close to having a bowl but I turned around and said to myself, 'we are not grazing at work anymore'. Lol! It looks like my willpower is coming back. Monday we are having another lunch for my department meeting a sales goal, it will be sandwiches, since that is a little safer, I will participate. This is why new hires are always told to beware of the 'REW 10'. It seems like there is always food around.

So, this has been a great week. I am pumped about my 6 pounds and the little bit of extra room around the waistband of my pants. It is a small step, but I know I am headed in the right direction!)

Hello Leslie Sansone!

I won an Amazon Gift Card for a contest at work recently. I thought purchasing an exercise DVD would be a good use of my winnings. I did a TON of research. I know P90X is pretty popular and I have several friends that love it. I just don't think it is for me. Leslie Sansone's DVD's came up in my Amazon searches and has very high ratings. She has a ton of DVD's! Best known for 'Walk Away the Pounds', she has recently revamped her original routine and it is now called 'Walk at Home'. Both programs were highly rated. Many of the reviews were from people that were pretty out of shape and looking for a way to get started. They all remarked at how this was the perfect DVD for a beginner. So I selected two, one from Walk Away the Pounds ($7.00) and one Walk at Home ($9.00). I wanted to get a feel for both.
I work on Sundays from home from 6a to 9a. So, after I got off work, I was watching the news and the BF had a headache so, he fell back to sleep on the couch. I have really felt a BIG boost in energy since I switched medication. So, I decided to grab my DVD's and head to the bedroom. Another good thing about this, you don't need very much room. I closed the door and fired up Walk Away the Pounds, the easier of the two.
The DVD is split into miles, you can do anything from 1 to 4 miles.
The first thing I noticed was how average everyone looked. Everyone in regular workout clothes, all shapes, sizes and ages. Not a bunch of ripped models. Leslie was dressed in a regular top and workout pants. The people looked relatable. I have seen other DVD's with super ripped people dressed in as little as possible. You also felt among friends, Leslie talks to the other people asks about their kids, etc. She is really positive and keeps you going. It was pretty nice. This was also mentioned in reviews as something people really liked.
The workout was pretty low impact, the steps were easy to follow. I am pretty uncoordinated, so that is saying something. Haha! I was able to keep up, my heart rate was going and I still felt a good burn. At the end of the workout, you do some good Yoga stretches. Leslie incorporates weights, so I was unprepared for that. So later that afternoon the BF and I went to Sports Authority and I got 2lb neoprene dumbbells. It was a great workout! Later on Sunday night, the BF and I took our bicycles out and did 2 miles around the neighborhood. That is 2 workouts in one day! :)

 Monday, it was storming really bad, so I had to comfort Sammy in the afternoon. So, after the rain passed the BF and I did about 2 miles around the neighborhood. Tuesday, I was looking forward to working out with the Walk Away the Pounds DVD again. This time I incorporated the weights. It was great. More of a burn, and I was getting pretty good at the 1 mile routine.
This afternoon, I decided to try the Walk at Home DVD. I am taking tomorrow off, so I decided to kick it up a notch. Walk at Home is NO joke! It is definitely more cardio and intensity. Same steps as the other DVD, so that was nice. The 1 mile is only 15 minutes. The miles keep going but you can stop it whenever you like. There is a shortcut to stretching on the main menu. I liked the pace, it was a good challenge. I was going good and the first mile was over before I knew it. Leslie said the second mile was 12 min, so I figured I could hang in. It was really intense! I stayed with it however, I will not be going beyond 2 miles for a while. Mile 3 is 10 minutes and I know I am not ready for that just yet.
Overall, these are great DVD's and I would recommend them to anyone starting out. With the afternoon showers in Florida, it is nice to have an alternative.
So that has been my introduction to Leslie Sansone. I am pretty impressed and look forward to getting through these DVD's and picking up some more!

The Farmers Market!

I have been buying more and more vegetables for the last few months..not a bad thing. However, I felt like I was spending more and more at the grocery store for fresh veggies. Veggies, that don't even look that fantastic either. The really good looking ones are usually organic and overpriced as well. So, the last few weeks I had been planning on hitting up the Farmers Market on a Saturday. Between being pretty busy with other things and then having a cancel a trip there because I was sick last weekend, I finally got to go! :)
A friend of mine and I went to the Winter Park Farmers Market yesterday morning. It was pretty busy out there, as usual and there were lots of good looking veggies to choose from at a fraction of the grocery store prices! I paid $8.00 total for the items pictured below. I love squash and cook it at least once a week. The squash from the market is perfect! Much better than what I have been buying. I also tried a few new things. I bought some Mango and Plums...also, orange Tomatoes, they are lower in acid according to the guy at the stand where I bought them. Either way, I am pretty excited to eat all of this and I hope that I can start going to the Farmers Market on a regular basis!

Good Inspiration! Thanks Nike!

I saw this ad the other day. Thank you Nike for finally doing an ad that shows someone on the journey! People are not instantly ripped and buff! I hope they follow this kid and keep the people up to date on his progress! I doubt I am the only one that was impressed.