I am really starting to see a BIG difference in how my clothing fits me. As I dig into old plastic containers in the back of my closet and in my garage, I am amazed at how I am able to bring back some old, but still fashionable and stylish clothing! There are even certain pieces that were previously too tight, that at the beginning of My Journey finally fit, that are now loosening up! Ring the alarm, this is exciting news!!!

So here’s a little update…..Last night at the gym, I tried a new elliptical machine. Last week when I first tried it, it was so hard, I could only manage to do one minute on it, and even that was killing me. Last night, I was able to do three minutes! I am so proud of myself. For those of you who may not know, an elliptical machine is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate walking or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries. It takes some getting used to, however it is a very difficult and intense workout. After about 2 minutes on it, I feel like I am about to pass out! However, I am not giving up, I am going to take my time and build up my stamina. Outside of my favorite exercise machine, the treadmill, I also lift weights using this machine that has two very thick ropes attached to a pulley that is attached to weights. I don’t know what it’s called, but I do know that I lift about 50-60 pounds, doing about 2 reps of 50 at a time. This machine works my arms, helping to reduce the size of my ‘unwanted, underarm wings’….where I am also starting to see some improvement. I never really realized the powerful impact of exercise, or the way weights actually tone your body. It was so foreign to me. I am so amazed.

As far as my eating habits are concerned, I am pretty comfortable where I am. I usually start the day with a piece of fruit and some coffee. By the time I get to work, I have two hard boiled eggs. Half way between the hard boiled eggs and lunch, I usually have either string cheese or yogurt. For lunch, it’s the regular, spinach and chicken, unless I get really creative and have cabbage and chicken! A few hours later, just before I leave the office for the day, I’ll have some more string cheese, or a yogurt or sometimes 10 Baked Lays potato chips. My challenge is the time between leaving the office, going to the gym on potentially an empty stomach and my last meal being around 9 or 9:30 after getting home from the gym. Any suggestions? I certainly welcome your thoughts.

Well, that’s it for today. As always, I ask you to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Also, please keep the feedback, encouragement and words of wisdom coming…I thrive off of it!

Stay tuned….there’s more to come…..as I move forward on, My Journey.

Sixteen Pounds!

WOW! I lost sixteen pounds and I am not trying to find them! I feel great! I have more energy now than I've had in years. I am starting to wear clothing that I put away and haven't been able to wear in more than 5 years. I feel better about myself and I am starting to like what I look like in pictures. I stopped taking pictures about two years ago, in fact for a long time, people would always ask me, "Does Madison have a Mommy?", because I would never take a picture with her or if I did, I just thought I looked fat and I would keep the picture to myself. I would always take pictures of Madison with her daddy because, well, he is just handsome and photographs better...and he doesn't look FAT! When I did take pictures, I'd crop them and doctor them up and still, I was NEVER satisfied. My face was always too fat and there wasn't enough cropping to cover up my triple chins! Even when I started this blog about my struggle with weight loss, I was too embarrassed to post a picture of myself. Well, today I am posting a picture because I am proud of how far I've come in My Journey. I am not where I want to be, however I am not where I used to be and to me, that's progress! I am sixteen pounds closer to where I plan to be! Eventually, I'll post my "before picture", when I've lost enough weight and I don't feel that embarrassed about it!

I took this picture today using my Blackberry camera phone, so it may not be as clear, but what is clear is that my face isn't as swollen and my chins are slowly disappearing! Another fun fact is that I am loving the direction my hair is going too! My curls are growing and they are so much more defined. I cut my hair last August and it seems like it's taken an eternity to grow back, however I see such a big difference in length especially since my trip to San Diego in January! Initially I cut all of my hair off because I wanted to grow my natural hair free from all chemicals (straighteners and such). At first, I regretted ever cutting it, but now, I am loving it! It goes right along with my weight loss journey and I am confident that by the time I lose the weight, my hair will be right where I want it to be as well!

I am so proud of myself for losing 16 pounds so far! It's taken longer than I expected, but it's MY PROGRESS and it's MY JOURNEY!!! As long as I am sticking to it, I am ok with it! Stay tuned and please keep the feedback and encouragement coming...I thrive off of it and it keeps me on track!

Where was I?

Its been a month since I've written anything here. Its been a while since I've truly felt inspired. Where did it all go wrong? When did the discouragement start? What was the cause? I think I've narrowed it down to two things....

After I found out that I lost 12.5 pounds, I was so encouraged. I went as far as to hook up with a trainer at the YMCA. When he told me that I shouldn't be doing the treadmill, I lost my fervor. It was the one thing that I looked forward to in going to the gym. It was my ME time. I would read while on the treadmill. In fact, I am on my second book since the beginning of August. I became so discouraged and it was harder and harder to get to the gym. With that of course came the stagnation of the weight loss. Obviously, I wouldn't lose anything if I wasn't working out! Thank God I wasn't cheating with my eating, but I found every excuse in the book not to go to the gym, until someone said to me....if reading on the treadmill gets you to the gym....read on the treadmill!

So, with that said....I am back in the gym! I read on the treadmill, then I do all of the 'stuff' that the trainer says I must do!