90 days and 1/3 way there!

So this week marks 90 days since I started my weight loss/get healthy journey. Here are my accomplishments so far!

--I've lost 31 lbs...that's an average of 2.5 lbs per week and 1/3 of my ultimate goal.
--I've gone from a size 22 to size 16 and they're already fitting baggy on me. (not quite in the 14s yet though)
--I started only being able to do 10-15 minutes on the treadmill at no more than 2.5 mph. Now I can do 20 minutes with intervals of
3.5 to 5.0 mph. 2.5mph is my cool down now.
--The elliptical was my enemy. The first time I tried, I had to quit after only 5 minutes. Now I go between 35-45 minutes at a time.
--My resting heart rate went from low to mid 80s to low 60s.
--My starting BMI was 38.4...now it's 33.4..a difference of 5!!!

If you're wondering how I did it, it couldn't be simpler:

--I signed up for MFP...the best move I ever made! The support has been amazing, and it takes any guesswork out of calorie
counting.
--Watching my calorie intake and understanding that portion control isn't just about eating less but finding the foods that you can eat
more of and being creative with recipes.
--Joining a gym. I do 20-30 minutes of strength training, plus core exercises. THEN 30-45 minutes of cardio. I read an article about
the importance of doing ST first. Getting the burn going on your muscles first actually stimulates your metabolism and helps
keep the burn going for much longer.
--"Shock your Metabolism"! It's a fancy way of saying...pig out every now and then. Even if you're eating healthy and exercising
everyday, it could set you on a plateau. You're metabolism gets use to it, and slows down. Everytime I feel like I'm hitting a
plateau, I just let loose one day and eat whatever I want. I've always had a big loss (2+ lbs) the next week.
--STAY POSITIVE!!!! Using terms like dieting and binging and negative thoughts and people will be your demise. Try using terms
like "getting healthy" and "weight loss journey". Like any journey, you'll have ups and downs but there's a definate destination at
the end. Dieting has so many negative connotations. Also, if you have people that are critcizing your weight loss or trying to
sabotage you ("one donut won't kill you"), stop talking to them about your efforts. They'll only bum you out!

I hope this helps. Thanks for reading!!! I've already posted these, but I'm just so darn proud! LOL

Christmas, 2010..235ish


February, 2011...238 (my heaviest)


May, 2011...209...(I've lost 2 more lbs since)