KATIE- I CHALLENGE YOU TO A LUNGE-OFF TOMORROW

Everyone knows the best way to a lifted booty is lunges.  Lunges, lunges, lunges.  Each dip down counts as 1. 

You better wake up early tomorrow to get started, cuz i'm gonna crush you. 

<3 Kelly

3 More Days to Make it Count!!

Yesterday was pretty good eating wise -- we did go out to dinner and I didn't make the most healthy choices BUT we went to Max & Erma's and didn't get any cookies so that's a pseudo win. LOL And I've logged everything this morning so I'm admitting it. 

Today, I have it planned out (and logged already in MFP).  3 shakes today!  Today is gonna be such a good day!  I've got this.  I added just a teeny bit of cocoa powder to my cafe latte HL shake this morning. It was tasty!  I've had my raspberry tea and am working on my water. WATER, WATER, WATER....that's the key!! It's so funny, well, kinda funny, but I can drink so much water while I'm at work. I guess it's just convenient and I don't have other distractions.  I'm doing better with it at home though...my toughest times are weekends, but I'm trying to be more conscious about that. 

By Saturday I definitely want to be under 265 (my starting weight in January) -- I know I've at least gotten up to 269 this month and that's kinda super depressing.  It's bad when my "fat pants" are getting tight - and I refuse to buy anything bigger. 

For funsies, some non-number goals I have:

• To be able to wear my wedding rings comfortably again
• To fit into all the size 18 jeans I was given (and those I've had) omgosh there are so many pairs LOL
• To not get out of breath carrying laundry up and downstairs 
• To be able to wrap a normal size towel alllllllll the way around me 

I used to want my belly button pierced when I got "skinny" -- not so much any more. I'm over that one ;)

I'll get there --- I know I will -- 

I want to -- I have to!  

Everyone have a fantastic day!

--Katie

Oh look who's still here!

Hello again!  I haven't forgotten about my beloved raw nuts! I hit a big mental and physical wall that just sent me into a pissed off mode.  Didn't know what to write, didn't know what to eat, didn't know how to stay motivated.  I think i finally broke through the wall (although the scale isn't moving MUCH, it's still moving!).  

One of the biggest motivators for me right now is.......

Yes! VACATION! we leave in 19 days! Just me and the Mister.  I really want to feel GOOD in a swimsuit, and I have 19 more days to get there! Placing some orders this afternoon so I have extra motivation of trying a few on! 

I've been trying hard to watch what I eat.  One of the gem recipes I have become addicted to is this "chicken" salad.  This is the rough recipe:

-1 quorn naked "chicken" cutlet
-1/2 can of diced green chilis
-1/2 small avocado
-nonfat plain greek yogurt
-sometimes some light miracle whip
-celery, lots of celery
-sometimes a little apple

Sometimes I eat it on a rice cake, sometimes i just eat it with a fork.  It's fabulous! I ate it 12 days in a row for lunch! 

I've also been trying my best at the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge.  Briana Christine is SUPER motivating and REAL.  She has 3 kids and has bounced back after each one.  These workouts are short and sweet torture.  SO EFFECTIVE! 

That's all for now.  Just wanted to let you all myself know that I'm still here!

-Kelly

Almost to the end of January..yikes!

Wow -- how is it that January is almost over already??! That is CRAZY!  I'm feeling better today -- much more in control.  I've been doing good with an HL shake for breakfast, along with tea and tons of water.  I just had some FF cottage cheese and I'm feeling content! A lady here brought in homemade brocolli cheese soup which smells amazing, but I'll be good and pass. We weigh in on Saturday (I'm not stepping on the scale until then) and am hoping to be lighter than I started this month.  I've made plenty of bad choices this month just hoping to bring it back a little :) 

--Katie

Well hello mental rut, it's been a few days!

Yep -- this weight loss / lifestyle change is totally 90% mental and 10% physical I think. 

I know I need to do this. I know what is bad and what is good.  I know all these things and still struggle.  It doesn't seem like it should be this hard.  So many people are successful at losing weight. (Yes, I know so many people also fail daily too)  I have a hard time sticking with healthy eating for more than 2 days in a row.  I know once I can get over that mental hurdle and start making those healthy changes it'll get easier.  A friend recommended a book that I'll have to look into -- The Power of One by Stephen Moss.  I think I'm due for some good reading that can hopefully put my mind in the right place and help me get to that final destination of health.

Re-evaluating my goals, I'm thinking more practical AND attainable goals are:

Reach 199 lbs by Christmas this year...332 days to lose about 70 lbs
Reach 150 lbs by my birthday in 2015...492 days to lose about 120 lbs.

I'm bad at setting short term goals, but I think I need to.  Let's see....
250 lbs by March 31st.
230 lbs by June 30th

Just through those together on a whim, but that's what I'm shooting for right now. :)

Anywhooo -- that's all for now. 
--Katie

Hummmmp Day!

Phew, it's Wednesday!! A short work week is super nice and refreshing.  I'm glad it's Wednesday already -- that much closer to Friday.  So yesterday I started strong and then had some cookies and a piece of chocolate :-/ and instead of chicken noodle soup, I had a burger..... Yeeeeeeahhhh... BUT no ice cream.  That's something, right??? 

Eh, I'm going to be stronger today.  Because I screwed up yesterday and didn't make the choices I was going to make, I stepped on the scale this morning. I wanted to be accountable.  I was actually pleased with the results.  But it's funny because it does get you thinking...."Well dang, if I hadn't have eaten the crap food, how much better off would I have been?? Would I have seen 260?"  Trying to keep that in mind today as I make some better choices.  

I'm still feeling a little crappy but I'm going to do my best to make it to the gym tonight.  I know it's gonna suck because it's been about a week.  But it'll only suck more if I wait longer.  Just wanted to chime in and make sure ya'll knew I was still here. 

--Katie

Achooo!

Yep, this about sums me up right now!!

Rocking a cold - and exhausted like no other.  Starting to get some relief so that is good.  With how quickly I've been getting exhausted, I haven't been to the gym.  I will be back tomorrow!  My eating hasn't been perfect -- last night especially. But today, I started the day with my HL shake and tea.  I'm not going to lie. I was so hoping the "snack cube" at work would have bagels or donuts in it --- thankfully it did NOT!  I would've caved.  I do have one indulgence at home that really makes me excited....Kroger's birthday bash ice cream...OMG....this is the most awesome "dairy dessert" -- guess it's not technically ice cream. Whatever. lol It made me happy.  BUT I will try to remember to measure out a serving from now on and record it.  

So my awesome momma friends who are committed to being accountable and healthy are encouraging me to put away the scale.  I'm on the fence with this.  My history shows that when the scale is gone, I take that as a free for all with the mind set that, hey, I'm not weighing tomorrow - I have time to make this up.....but that doesn't end up happening.  I get the concept that with weighing daily you may have your ups along with the downs even with the healthiest of eating, but I'm not sure that it's right for me.  Any experience from anyone who's behaves similarly with the scale??  Okay, off to do some work <3

--Katie

1 Day & 5.5 lbs down

Moving on to day 2!.

Yesterday wasn't bad at all.  I'm pretty proud of myself.  I ended up having shakes for all 3 meals. I kept my snacks high in protein and barely went over the calories MFP recommended.  I had 3 cups of tea and boat loads of water.  

I've got things logged into MFP for today.  Looking forward to dinner -- soft tacos! YUM!  It's putting me over my calories with the snacks I have planned for the day, but I'm planning on going to the gym tonight when C goes to bed.  Gotta get in another C25K workout. :) I'm feeling pumped and encouraged.  I'm gonna try to use all my bathroom breaks today to get some squats in -- luckily it's a single person bathroom so no one will notice my weirdness ;)  Gotta do what you gotta do!! 

TGIF peeps :) 

--Katie

Herbalife - Round 4ish: Day 1

I've done Herbalife a number of times -- you'd think 1.) Wow - she's gotta be rich or 2.) Man, she's probably so skinny and fit!

Umm.. No and No. BUT, the first time I did HL was back December 2012 I believe.  I stuck with it - was SO focused and I did lose about 20 lbs. I even kept it off for quite some time.  I know I CAN do this. I've shown myself.  The other times I've used herbalife I just didn't stay focused. I fell off the wagon...hard...plunging off cliffs, hitting rocks, and diving into a deep ocean of regret. lol  

This time I have Steve on board with me - plus we're really trying to go to the gym 3x a week.  I'm going to make this work.  I like crave structure!  Like I seriously need it. We're both going to do 2 shakes a day.  I see us needing to buy stock in almond milk though -- hahaha That's gonna go fast!! :) I'm also going to try to be better about logging in MFP --- I'd really like to see "kdw6383 has logged in for 30 days" to start!  I'm not so concerned about the calories at this point - as the quality of food and just the diligence of tracking and being honest and aware.  

Okay - well I'll just keep it at this for now, but I'm going to be updating you on my progress -- and I mean PROGRESS.  Doing this for me.  I need to stop comparing myself to other and just realize that I'm capable. 

-Katie

I did it!

I made it back to the gym!  WHOA! I know, I know....it's pretty shocking :)

And shhhh....don't tell anyone, but I kinda enjoyed it!  I ended up downloading the C25K app and completed Week 1, Day 1 on the elliptical.  I thought about doing the treadmill, but I thought the elliptical would be a better match.  I'm not sure what good speeds for the walking and jogging would be, but I think I did good - and I felt accomplished. (and sore!)  Yesterday I did excellent with my eating also!  

Totals	1,481	140	65	80	1,425	49
Your Daily Goal	1,662	228	56	62	2,500	33
Remaining	181	88	-9	-18	1,075	-16
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 352 extra calories from exercise today

I drank about 200 oz of water throughout the day and a couple glasses of tea.  I had my Herbalife shakes for breakfast and lunch and my Herbalife vitamins and supplements that I have too.  I'm contemplating buying another shake mix and some supplements to keep this up for a bit longer.  But we'll see.  

I stepped on the scale this morning. (I kinda wish MFP had recorded the super high weight the other day of 268.something) I was down to 264.4 --- under my starting weight for the month, so that is good.  I'm moving in the right direction and *knock on wood* I'm in a good mindset.  Let's keep this up :) 

--Katie

I'm still here.....

You guys!! 

Don't let me go without posting. You should know that's never a good thing. 

So I'm up from where I started this month. UGH! Highest weight ever. Ha - I did just notice that my scale yesterday didn't sync with MFP --- so that must mean it didn't happen.  Today I'm off to a good start though.  I started my morning with an Herbalife shake, make with the 30 calorie almond milk, had the last of my HL tea, vitamins (whoa - what's that?!), HL cell activator and cell-u-loss because I still have some, and water.....50 oz of water already and it's only 9 a.m.

I'm feeling pretty good. Still do NOT want to work out today.  But I'll try to get in the right mind set.  2 days ago I did one rep of the workout Kelly had up on her fridge. HOLY SCHNIKES....I am still sore.  And she does like 4/5 reps?! Shout out to Kelly! Work it girl. LOL  BTW...where is Ms. Kelly.......Helllllllloooooooo?????  No fear tho - she's been way better than me lately (no surprise there!)

I'm in another weight loss competition with my mommy friends....I must like them an awful lot (which I DO) because I seem to just like handing them my money.  I must be rich...oh wait...nope, I'm not.  It's already Jan 8 --- these momma's are on it and I need to be!!!  I at least need to put up a fight and be down a number of lbs this month.  Okay --- shooting for being 255 at month end. That's a big goal at this point, but shoot for the moon, right???

--Katie

January 1, 2014

So I'm not going to reflect or dwell on 2013. It is what it is. However, it did show me something -- I AM capable.... I CAN do this. 

Today is a new day, a new year and a start to the rest of my life... A longer, healthier life with the two people I love most -- my husband and daughter!

Starting stats: YIKES

Cheers to the NEW YEAR.

--Katie