20 Pounds Gone

I weighed myself yesterday and I have officially lost 20 pounds!!!!!  20 pounds in 4 ½ months!!!!!  My Whole Foods, Plant Based diet started on August 1^st and I weighed myself periodically and hit the 20 pound weight loss as of today! 

Honestly, I haven’t even been trying to lose weight.  I haven’t worked out more than 10 times in the entire four months. I know, I should do more workouts and with the start of my half marathon/10K training, I am hoping to lose more.  I need to stick to my half marathon training plan.

I think an average of five (ish) pounds per month isn’t too bad; it’s a little over one pound per week.  I have a cruise coming up over Thanksgiving so I am hoping to lose AT LEAST 20 more pounds, but my goal is 40!  That is 2.66 pounds per week to lose my 40 pound weight loss goal.  I can do it!!

 My goal is to not drink my calories.  I think that is a big hurdle.  I have gotten used to iced coffee, iced tea and soda and it needs to stop!  I mean, look at this chart!

Wish me luck on my journey!  It isn’t too late to sign up for our racing events in September, October and November with the Texas Bridge Series.

Waste Food or Waist Food

Were you taught that you shouldn't waste food?  I know I was and I think that is a (one of many) contributing factor to my weight gain.

Waste food or waist it

I heard the other day (at my TOPS meeting) that you can either "Waste food" or "Waist food".  Waste it as in throw it away or let it spoil and waist it as it put the food in your mouth and create a larger waist line.

It was a very interesting concept for me.  It wouldn't be too hard to just take it to go in a box and eat it later.  Sometimes though I can't take it home if I'm not going home immediately.  On those occasions, I will just have to feel bad, I guess.  :/   (anyone else have any suggestions on this?)

Sometimes food tastes soooooo good, that I just keep eating and eating.  Like, do I think I will never eat again?  The other day had to I stop myself from eating that because I was overeating and creating a 'waist line' that was larger than I am comfortable with.  I have to realize that I am allowed to get that food at any time I choose, I just have to go to the grocery store at another time.  I am working on this issue too.  I am working on stopping eating when I am satisfied, instead of "full" because the brain doesn't always get the signal from the stomach that it is full until you are waaaaaaaaay to full and you have to roll out of the restaurant.

I just thought it was an interesting phrase to share.  Happy no food "waist".

TOPS Meeting

Last night I went to my first ever TOPS Club Meeting.  TOPS stands for “Taking Off the Pounds Sensibly” and it is for anyone who needs to lose weight and have positive support throughout the process.  The membership is $35 for the year on the national level and $1 per month for the chapter membership (varies per chapter)-or $47 for the entire year.  You get a bi-monthly magazine that is filled with tips on weight loss/healthy eating. They let me borrow a few old issue copies to take home and read!

I had heard of TOPS many moons ago but never looked it up to find one in my area.  There are several meetings in the Houston/Greater Houston area that anyone can go to but they are all of the USA and maybe world (Canada for sure).  Your first one or two meetings are free! My location is on the East side of Houston at 7 pm on Thursdays if anyone would like to join me. (go here to find one in your area)

I also loved it because I wasn't being sold anything, it was just a support meeting.  There are no shakes or meal plans to buy, just a friendly support and accountability group that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  I have been looking for something like this for ages!!!  Granted, the people at my club are older or younger than me, but if I get the word out about who awesome it is, maybe people my age will sign up!!!!! There were a few teenagers there (with their parents) that are in the process of losing weight.  <------which awesome="" is="" span="">

At my location you weigh in (privately!) each week on their scale and if you lose or “turtle” (stay the same weight) your name goes in to a drawing for $$ or prizes.  You also get to put your name in a drawing for a big change jar of $$ for the end of the year. The people who gain weight that week have to put $$ in the jar ($.20 or above).  You decide beforehand how much you put in if you gain.  I guess it keeps it people accountable by having to pay $$ if they gain weight. They let you choose your amount so it will not be a burden to anyone who can’t afford to pay money in.  $.20 cents hopefully won’t break anyone but if it did then you do not have to pay it.

You also can earn pins to put on your name tag plus other fun awards and prizes.  I heard that there is an annual meeting/retreat where you can be the King or Queen of the entire TOPS organization!  Not exactly sure what that means but it would be super fun to be a Queen!! :)

They have positive affirmations at the start of the meeting, which I LOVED!!  I love affirmations.  Here it is: 

TOPS Pledge:

  I am an intelligent person.

I will control my emotions, not let my emotions control me.

Every time I am tempted to use food to satisfy my frustrated desires, build up my 

injured ego or dull my senses,

I will remember-

I WILL TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY.

Someone spoke about “10 Tips for Healthier Eating” and then we were able to discuss it.  We said another affirmation before leaving for the day.  I was out of there by 7:45 PM. 

I loved it because there was no judgment and everyone had the same struggles.  When someone said they gained weight that week, people would say “that’s all right, you will do better next week” or something else similarly supportive and positive.    

Go to the TOPS Club website to look for a meeting in your area.  Your first 1 or 2 meetings are free!!!

What I've Been Up To Lately Vol 11.

I can't believe I haven't done one of these posts in awhile!  Wow. 

Found this awesome arrangement.

I went to the local Randall’s this morning (random) and found this rose bouquet in the floral case.  I love the leaves at the bottom.

Went to an event and they had these apple place settings.

I love the idea of using apples as place settings, but I don’t think they would be safe to eat, hence wasting a whole table full of perfectly yummy apples.   I’m torn.

Fell in love with a new salad dressing

This dressing is the BOMB!  (and I never use that phrase).  Tessemae’s has several flavors to choose from but I keep going back for this one.  I love how they use the wax to seal it!  I like lemon but sometimes it’s too powerful but this is not.  Just try it.  I got this at HEB in the refridgerated dressing seciton but I also saw it at Kroger.

Babysat an almost 3 year old on the 4th of July

My sister, Tori, had to work on the 4^th until about 9 pm so I babysat Kali Claire.  I was planning on hanging out by the pool all day so she came with me.  When it got dark we went to the party where my parents were at and watched a $4,000 fireworks show.  Their friend has his own fireworks permit and the entire neighborhood has a block party to watch the show.  Must be nice to have that kind of $$.  We covered Kali’s ears so she wouldn’t be scared since they were so close to us.

The night before we hung out in the pool and watched them from a distance in other neighborhoods.  I saw a plane pass by and mentioned that it would be cool to see them from a plane.

Kali:  Mimi, can we please go on a plane and see fireworks.

My mom (Mimi):  Honey, I wish I had wings or a Superman cape to take you.

Kali:  (clasping her hands together in delight)  That’s a great idea, Mimi!!!

Worked out to Richard Simmons

I bought 3 new Richard Simmons DVD’s from Amazon.  I really like Richard Simmons.  If you read any of his articles, watch interviews, or just look at his social media you will see what a genuine person he seems to be.  I love that his mission in life was to help people and that he found a way to do it on a large scale for maximum impact.  What an awesome legacy to look back on. 

Anyway, I had one copy of “Sweating to the Oldies” but I let someone borrow it and never got it back so I bought some new ones.  I bought two toning workouts and one aerobics.  I LOVE THEM!!

Hooked up my trainer

My bicycle trainer that is. :)  I had this trainer for a few years now but my old bike doesn’t work with it.  I went to Goodwill the other day and found a $500 bike (I googled the price) for $30.  I figured that if it didn’t work on my trainer then I could just clean it up and sell it on Craigslist….but it worked and now I can train for bike races and/or triathlons.  Biking on ‘real’ roads scars the be-jeezus out of me so I will stick to training on the trainer for now.

Watched my garden grow

I will have a full update at the end of the summer as to how my first ever garden did, but here is a sneak peak.

Went to the Frio River

My family has a house at the Frio River in Concan, TX that we went to in June.  The Frio (or Garner State Park) is one of my all-time favorite places in the world.  It is so peaceful just to sit on a float, tie myself to a rock and just relax under the trees and the wind.  I prefer to be at the Frio rather than a beach any day.

A dragonfly even landed on me…Doesn’t that equal good luck?

21 Day Fix-An Explaination

This week marks 90 days until I cruise away into the sunset on Royal Caribbean.  This also marks (just over) one week that I have been doing the 21 Day Fix.  I am making it my goal to stay away from sweets, treats and alcohol until the cruise.  I might slip up a little bit, but I am trying REALLY hard to make it.

Do you like my drawing? hahaha. I drew this on an envelope that I mailed Clarissa

I lost 2.5 lbs last week thanks in part to the 21 Day Fix and also walking a few nights a week at Memorial Park.  Meal planning has really helped keep me on track, but I have had a few times where I was out and about and stopped to get something. 

Did I ever tell you how the 21 Day Fix works?  It’s really simple way to portion control your food. 

THE FOOD

There are six color coded containers that each represent a different food group.  Green=vegetables, Purple=fruit, Red=protein, Yellow=carbs, Blue=cheese, Orange=Seeds and Oils.

I am in the 2^nd tier of containers and I’m allowed the following:

4 Green Boxes-Vegetables

3 Purple Boxes-Fruits

4 Red Boxes-Proteins

3 Yellow-Grains

1 Blue Box-Healthy Fats and Cheese

1 Orange Box-Seeds and Oils

Honestly, it is a lot of food and I’m not hungry!  By the time I get hungry, it’s time to eat again.  The difference is I am eating ‘better’ foods and smaller portions.  Portion control (and Taco Bell) has always been my downfall.  I have been overweight most of my life.  I gain weight in my mid section and upper body, but have great legs.  I look like a football player (without the SuperBowl ring) and my shape is called an inverted triangle.  However, I will change all that with this program!!

 

The Plan comes with an entire booklet to explain how to successfully complete the program

Throughout the day the goal is to eat all of your boxes.  You measure them out in the box and then put them in a to-go container or a plate, like you would normally do for your meals.   For instance, for lunch I would eat a salad and it would work out like this in my boxes:

2 green container of spring mix lettuce

1 green container mixed vegetables (l cut up beets, celery, carrots, bell peppers, and onions)

1 red container of lean ground turkey (keep in red container and microwave when ready to eat)

1 blue container of shredded cheese

1 orange container of olive oil and then I pour on the vinegar

Then I mix it all up together (when I am ready to eat it) so the dressing gets on everything and then I seriously enjoy it!  My mouth is watering right now typing this! :)

It makes for a really big salad that I add to my to-go container and bring to work.  I do measure out my olive oil and vinegar and add it to a sealed Tupperware type container to bring to work.  The containers aren’t air tight (or is it water tight?) and I don’t want olive oil and vinegar to leak on everything.

Measure it out and then put it in a baggie.  In the mix: celery and rainbow carrots, chopped

For a snack I usually have some cut up veggies, 2 boiled eggs, 1 container of mixed fruit, or a red container some cottage cheese with salt and pepper.  I measure whatever it is in the container and then transfer it to a snack baggie or Tupperware.  The booklet says that boiled eggs are a red container, so I don’t measure them.  I usually leave the cottage cheese in the container so not to dirty another container.  I guess you could leave the everything in the container if you aren’t using it to measure another food. 

THE WORKOUTS

There are several different workouts that you do on this program that are all 30 minutes long.  There is an ab workout that is 10 minutes long that you can do at the end of your 30 minutes, but so far I have not done so.  I think there are more workouts that come with a certain challenge pack, but I didn’t get them with mine.

The workouts are great and quick.  I did dread doing them (because I’m lazy) but then my very wise friend (Krista) said “it’s only 30 minutes” and I snapped out of it and did it.  Each workout works out different body areas, so you aren’t too sore the next day.  I did the Total Body Cardio workout last night, but today I will do Upper Body. I know my legs are going to buuuuuuurn later today, so I will feel a relief when I don’t have to work them out again.  The first time I did that program, I was soooooo sore for a few days after in my legs that I didn’t want to do it again. Haha.  I did though and feel great about it!  (ask me about how I am feeling later today or in the morning though)

My goal is to lose 5 lbs per week for my cruise, it may or may not be achievable, but I am striving for it!  I have just under 90 days left til I cruise, wish me luck! 

 

I had 90 days left when I made this!

If you want to do the 21 Day Fix with me as an accountability partner, go here and order it today!  It is about $60 for the program by itself (you can get shakes too, but I haven’t been using them).

Do you have questions on how to do the 21 Day Fix?  Write a comment below and I will do my best to answer them!  Or I will get Krista to answer it. :)

**I have not been paid to write this, I just LOVE it and want everyone to try it too. I do not get any credit or $$ by you clicking the links, so this is an honest testimonial of how awesome I think the program is.

Cruise Booked

I am sooooooo excited!!!  I just booked a cruise with my friend Clarissa in May!  I have never been on a cruise before and this has always been a bucket list item!  We booked a 7 Day Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean cruise line.  We will be going to Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel during our trip.  I have already been to Roatan (my aunt has a vacation house there), but never to Belize or Cozumel.

Does anyone have any cruise tips for us?  Want to come with us (friends only please, no internet strangers!)?  Our trip cost $571 each with taxes and fees, which I think is reasonable.  We still have to pay for excursions once we dock, but everything else (like food and on ship entertainment) is included.   It works out to be about $82 per night, which is about the same if we were to pay for airfare/hotel/etc for a domestic trip.

Now on to the weight loss part of the trip.  I have gained sooooooo much weight in the past year due to various things and I need to get back on track!  As you can see on my countdown clock I created, I have 3 months (ish) left!  I figure if I can hunker down and really focus for the next 3 months, I can lose some serious weight for the trip.  My plan is to eat at home more (I’ve been doing better) and do a few cycles of the 21 Day Fix.  21 Day Fix focuses on portion control (see the below picture with the colorful boxes), 8-30 min workouts that focus on different areas (so you will only do the same workouts a few times), plus other stuff that I don't remember.

 

I have had the 21 Day Fix for a few weeks now, but I haven’t fully committed.  I am a person who needs a major goal to strive for (like a marathon) before I kick my booty in gear.  I have created a tracker for my workout area (another post to come) to have a visual reminder with.  I will tell you that my tracker involves colorful stickers, a calendar, and gold/silver sharpies.  :)

Anyone want to do the 21 Day Fix with me?  My friend Krista can hook you up with it.

New Year, New You Challenge

There is 90 days left until the Driving Jacks 5K in April (well, there was when I thought of this!) and I want to be prepared for it.  No, I am not running in it, I am running it...planning it that is.  I was looking at the 2012 pictures and I was not a fan of how I looked, so this year I want to look healthier.  Part of my look from 2012 was based on no sleep, but that is beside the point.

I created a 90 Day New Year, New You Challenge between me and my friend Terrie.  Terrie and her mom are both running in the 5K, so they wanted to get in shape for it too.  I created a three month calendar for us to workout to. It really is just a calendar made in word that I added two little black dresses and the header too. Super easy to make.

Once you work out, you get a sticker or smiley face added.  Each sticker equals $1 and at the end of the month you get to total up your money and spend it on whatever you want.  Hopefully new clothes since you will be skinny!  Of course healthy eating will go along with this challenge, but I wanted to focus on movement.  I didn't want everyone to have to track calories and stuff, so I didn't include that in the challenge.  Plus, I am not shilling any magic product to make you lose weight, I just want to move myself and I do better with friends keeping me accountable.

"Rules" to get a gold star/smiley face/checkmark/sticker:

1.  A workout must be at least 1 mile or more (walking or running).  If you are a beginner, 1 mile is good, if you are not, challenge yourself and you decide what counts as a gold star-but be consistent with it

2.  OR a 45 minute workout in weights or cardio

3.  OR a 1 exercise DVD (at least 30-45 minutes)

I invited some FB friends to join us too and YOU are welcome to join as well.  I am going to try to send out weekly updates on my progress and motivation via email, but like evidenced in the past, I tend to slack off on my challenge updates.  

So, join us!  I would be happy to include you in the weekly emails.  Email me and I will add you random internet stranger. :)

p.s.  I plan on doing a few workouts from my pinterest board to knock out some of my 32 before 32 (which I haven't even started yet!  Yikes!).

It's Here-Marathon Time

Tomorrow is my first marathon!  Oh my good I am soooooo nervous.  It doesn't seem possible that I have been training for over 6 months!  Yikes.  I have been carbo-loading for the past week, trying to get to bed early tonight, and have my stuff all laid out and ready to go for my 4:15 am wakeup call tomorrow morning.

Wish me luck!!!! :)  See you on the flip side as a marathoner.

Here are some running related posts from the past 6 months that I have prepared me for tomorrows race.

How I started running
18.6 miles-Sugarland 30K
16 Miles
15 Miles
14 miles
13.1-Santa Hustle Half Marathon
13.1-LaPorte by the Bay Half Marathon
13.1-Houston Half Marathon
9.3 Miles-Monster Mash 15K
6.2-Toughest 10K-Galveston
6.2-Toughest 10K-Kemah

 

How I Started Running

With my marathon coming up in a few days, I thought it would be fun to tell the story of how I started running.  People that haven't seen me in awhile, or even if they have never met me are always amazed to hear how I started to run.  I don't look like a 'typical' runner, but that's the great thing about running, everyone is welcome!  Big or small, athletic or not, just get out some athletic shoes and start running!  If you are running regularly or long distances, I suggested a few different running items (see them here), but otherwise just lace up some sneakers and go!

How I Started Running
Back in January of 2011 my friend Krista ran the Aramco Houston Half Marathon for the first time and I went to cheer her on.  It was raining and freezing that year while we cheered for her, but I loved it!  I got so inspired seeing all of the runners of all shapes and sizes running with smiles on their faces.  We called out their names as they ran past (as many as we could that is, there are over 25,000 people who run both races) when we saw their name on the bib.  I remember when Krista was training for the races, our friend Clarissa was in town and we wanted to have dinner.  Krista was so determined to train for this race that she didn't come with us no matter how much we bribed her with margaritas and fun!  Looking back on it I would say that is determination! :)

In the back of my mind a dream was planted that I wanted to run a half marathon (the crazy idea of a full marathon came later) but I really didn't work on completing that dream for a few months.  Then, in March for some reason I decided I wanted to run a 5K without stopping.  Crazy long distance at the time, but I was determined to finish it.  I had my first running goal and it was really scary to me.  I mean, 3 miles?  That's crazy talk! ;)  Little did I know that just a year and a half after I did that first 5K I would be running a 26.2 mile race.

I am a firm believer that if you have a goal you need to take baby steps to complete it and pick a deadline for that goal.  I am the type of person who needs to have a dealine before I finish something, if I have a 'someday' goal it will never happen.  So I was talking to this friend at work and he said that there is a 5K usually at the end of May that the Astros put on each year called the Race for the Pennant.  I knew that I wanted to do a 5K around the time of my birthday so I picked a May race.  At the time I had no idea that 5K's happen basically every weekend and that there are running website (like this one or this one) dedicated to local races.  

So, now that I had a race in mind (and registered for it) it was time to start seriously training for it and also recruit friends to do it with me. 

How I Started To Train For My First 5K
There are programs like Couch to 5K out there but I am not a very good plan follower (besides long runs) so I sort of made up my own thing.  There was a park by my old apartment in Pearland called Stevenson Park that is a 1/2 mile around.  My neighbor Carol and I would walk around 3 or 4 miles a few times a week there, but one day I said to myself that I was going to run the entire 1/2 mile without stopping 'no matter what'.  I ran that entire 1/2 mile without stopping (although it was a slow process) and walked the other 2.5 miles that night.  I did that for the rest of the week (probably about 3 times total) and then the next week I walked run lap, ran one lap, walk one lap, ran one lap, and then walked the rest.  I would do that for about a week and then the next week I would increase it by one lap running without stopping 'no matter what'.  Until I was up to where I had to (2 miles) I would give myself one lap of walking in between.  Does that make sense?  Eventually I made my way up to 3 miles of running without stopping.  I remember the day I posted that I had run 3 miles without stopping on FB and I was soooo proud of myself.

On my 29th birthday (which was a far cry from how I spent my 28th birthday drinking margaritas and having mexican food) I ran my first 5K.  I even had a special cross shirt made and wore my cross necklace so God would give me strength.  I ran the entire way without stopping, even though I did not take into account that there would be hills/bridges on the course.  I was very proud of myself!

How I Started To Train For My First Half Marathon
In June of 2011 I decided that my dream of completing my own half marathon should come next.  I mean, if I did a 5K what is to stop me from doing a half marathon? :)  I knew that I would have to have a deadline set again so I added "Complete a Half Marathon" to my 30 Under 30 List.  Since Krista was my inspiration for this crazy idea in the first place, I enlisted her to run it with me.  I honestly choose the La Porte by the Bay Half Marathon because it was in December, which gave me plenty of time to train for it and I would also have 6 more months to 'try again' if my first attempt didn't go so well and I didn't finish.  That didn't happen though and I completed my first marathon in December of 2011.

When training for such a long race I knew that I needed a training plan for this one.  As a recommendation from Krista, I used the Hal Higdon Half Marathon training plan.  I trained my heart out for that race, even missing or coming late to several family/friend events so I could train.  I wanted to do good at this whole running thing and I was determined to do so.  I also did several long runs for that race to prepare all the way up to 10 miles before the race.

How I Started To Train For My First Marathon
My first marathon training has been tricky.  From my first half marathon until I got picked for the full marathon in June I basically did nothing!  I ran a few times here and there, but otherwise I did nothing.  When I got picked however, I knew I needed to step it up and I joined a running program called Gotta Run of Katy.  I signed up (and completed!) for races that were 10K and above and also a triathlon (See the recaps here for Triathlon, 10K, 10K, 15K, Half Marathon, Half Marathon, 30K, Half Marathon).  I decided that I didn't want to do anymore 5K's (unless they were free) because my distances needed to be longer than 3 miles to effectively train for this race.

Now it is almost here and I am really freaking out.  Can I do this?  Absolutely!  It's all mental and I know that God will help me through it. 

That is my story of how I started to run.  I will also mention that I was 40 lbs heavier then than I am now and the weight has come off mainly due to running and a healthy diet.  ANYONE can do this, the question is, are YOU ready to change and start your own journey?

Three years ago today

Three years ago today I went into the hospital for my breast reduction and came out four lbs lighter.  I can’t believe it’s been four years!  They say time flies and I am starting to believe it.  I think back to how different my life has become because of that one decision years ago.  I know I wouldn’t have started running, especially wouldn’t have started training for a marathon.  Who knows where I would be in my life.

 See a difference between this September 2009 picture and this November 2012 picture?

 

Are there any things in your life that would be different if you hadn’t made one decision?

Victoria's Secret

Friday morning about 3:30 am I had a weight loss moment for the record books.  Since I am known for the over-share on my blog, here it goes!

Almost three years ago I had a breast reduction.  I had always had to buy my bras at Lane Bryant or at a specialty store, and I had never been able to go to Victoria's Secret to shop.  While Black Friday shopping I went into Victoria's Secret with my sister.  She was looking for her friend and I was checking out the sports clothes section when an employee came up to me to ask if I needed help finding anything.  I said no, I can't fit into any of these bras since my boobs were to still to big.  She asked if I had been measured recently and I said no, not recently.  They brought me into the fitting room and measured me.  Well, let me tell you, I COULD FIT INTO THEIR BRAS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

They measured me with one size and I tried to them on.  The cup size was two sizes to big and I finally got the right size for me.  Once we got the right size tried on about 5 different styles in the bras to see which one I liked the best.  They have you try everything on in the black demo ones that they have in the back, then you go in the front to get the color that you want in whichever style you choose.   They also give you a card with your size and style marked on it that you like best so you can know which one the next time you come in.  Easy.

My cup size after the reduction had never been the problem, it was the band size.  The most they go up to in a store is 38DDD, and online is 40DDD.  Well, I won't tell you my size but I will say that since I have lost so much weight, I can now fit into their bras.  I cannot even begin to tell you how freakin' excited that makes me, you have no idea!

I have never had a bra and panty set that matched before, because you really can't get them in larger sizes.  I have always had big boobs, but my panties were waaaaaay smaller in size and they didn't have my size.  If the bra fit then the smallest panty set was four sizes to big.  No bueno.  Well, now I can find matching bra and panties right in the store!!!

Also, at VS they have so many cute bra and panty colors that usually weren't available in my old sizes.  They have any color I would want.  They have lace or rhinestones if I want them too!!!!

I ended up buying two bras, the demi bra and the dream angel pushup bra that were buy one get one half off.  I also got a free pink sequins bag with some beauty products in them that they were giving away free with any $75 or more purchase for Black Friday.  The bag also had some coupons in it.

I know this might be a silly blog post to some of you, but for me this is great.  You have no idea the curse that big boobs are.  Sigh.

Weight loss

As you know I am currently training for a marathon and trying to eat healthier at the same time.  Of course I don't want to put my actual weight on here, but I will tell you that since my breast reduction I have lost  40 lbs!  I have lost that over the past 3 years, but have only recently really started to lose the weight.  I joined Curves back in 2008, had the reduction in 2009 and started going to a 'regular' gym in 2010.  2011 marked the starting of my running experiment where I have lost the most weight.   Running is awesome cardio!

After I finished my goal for 2011 to run a half marathon, I did nothing for the next 6 months.  Maybe a workout DVD here or there, but overall...NOTHING!  Then came the end of June when I was picked in the lottery for the 2013 Houston Marathon and I realized that I better kick my booty in high gear if I wanted to be ready for it.  26.2 ain't no easy thing y'all! :)

I started switching watch I was eating, watching my portion sizes, and within a month (maybe a month and a half) I have lost 10 lbs!!  One of the things that has helped me (besides saying no to cupcakes!) is to track my weight daily.  Some say that this doesn't help you, but I think it does.

What I did was make a calendar and each morning I weigh myself right when I wake up, before I eat anything.  I write it down on the paper and I can track how much I have lost/gained any given week.  I am a very visual person so another thing I do is every time I workout during that week, I put a smiley face sticker! When I look back over the course of the month I start to see patterns for the times that I lost weight vs the times that I didn't by how much exercise I did.  I could be a super focused person by tracking my food also, but I don't want to. haha.  (Sorry, t.m.i.-I also note what days I am on my period so when I look back I can see why I didn't lose weight those days).

My next weight lost goal is to lose 10 more lbs before September 22nd when I go on vacation and have to look cute in a bathing suit in front of cute cabana boys. ;)  Wish me luck!