*closed group* Flab to Fab 3, Part 2!

My reasons are mostly to get healthy, which seems sort of weird since I've had more colds since I started this journey than I did in the 6 months previous to January, both mentally and physically. I was not happy with what I looked like, as much as I love my parents, I don't want to look like them. I don't remember my mom being skinny, but I know she was for a few years after I was born, and I don't know what happened, but I don't want to go there.

so that is that part. As for this week's challenge to get outside. I went with DH and DD last night to the park, I had to sit on a bench, but I got outside, which I really haven't in the last 3 weeks, besides the weather being sort of crappy, it isn't that easy right now, I don't even go out for lunch at work, so I haven't seen a ton of sunlight in the last 3 weeks.

I failed the sodium challenge yesterday by a bit since I ran out of time to eat breakfast at home. I was also short on the water by a couple of glasses.

Oh, and how weird is this, I did my fancy move to get on the scale this morning and it said I was 145.x, last week I was 150.x. I either lost a ton of muscle weight, or one of those readings was not correct. I figured that the 150 was closer to being correct since that is about where I was the last time I weighed in and the cast weight...

This week's challenges:

Yesterday I was over on sodium. I haven't been concious about my sodium intake at all and WOW do I take in a LOT of sodium. I'm guilty of the easy boxed items for dinner like rice and potatoes. I also had no idea how much sodium I was eating at lunch alone...4 slices of turkey breast, 1 Laughing cow cheese wedge, and 12 pretzel snaps = 1,000+ sodium!!! And the calories are under 200! I definitely need to start eating more fruits and veggies and using the recipes I have to make my rices or potatoes or whatnot from scratch rather than from a box!

Outside challenge--I did it! I went for a walk in Portland (MI) last night on the river trail they have and didn't realize it at the time but it was a new place and i was out walking so that fits as my physical challenge That was easy! On a really good note...I LOVED being out there...I intend to drive to Portland for my Saturday long runs and also once school's out I might run on the trail for a weekday run as well

Why did I begin this journey of weight loss?! Mostly because I found myself getting lazy and of course gaining weight! It started about 4 years ago when I met my fiance'. I am definitely someone who gets "comfortable" in a relationship and I just didn't care enough about how I looked b/c I had an amazing man in my life and that's all that mattered. I had watched myself do this in another relationship so before it got too bad...I wanted to take control! Now that I've seen results and I know I can do it...i want to keep working harder! I love the way I feel now b/c I"m so much healthier. I know I can be healthy and look good on the outside...so I've told myself I am NOT going to let myself gain back what I've lost! Too much yo yoing for me! I'm done with that!

Another reason to continue this journey is that I'm getting married in June 2012 and I want to look as good as I can in my dress

***What else was I supposed to be writing about? I don't know if I'm missing something or not...but i'm done for now!***

Well, I would like to lose weight because I am unhappy with the way I look. Until about 5-6 years ago, I was always "chunky" or "fluffy" or, as my one-time French boyfriend put it, "voluptuous," but I never felt the need to do anything about it. Then after my son was born, I spent the better part of a year with (I'm now convinced) some moderate PPD, walking around in a sleep-deprived funk, eating anything I could get my hands on. My son was colicky, never napped, and, in general, a lot to handle. To say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. I turned to food for comfort, and boy was I comforted! At that point, my unhappiness turned into flat-out self-loathing at the way I had "let myself go." My husband and I went through some marital strife, which has resolved itself, but that certainly didn't help in the eating for comfort scenario. And to top things off, I had a second miscarriage last fall, after an unplanned pregnancy (since my husband had had a vasectomy 4 months before, we thought we were in the clear!) What a roller-coaster ride THAT was! More consolation needed, more food eaten.

The final straw came when I went on a cruise in December with my sisters and my mom. Man, I knew the pictures would be bad, but I looked way worse than I ever anticipated. Wake-up call! I made a pact that after the New Year, I would make a change that would stick. I have done it! I lost 29 lbs the first 3 months of this challenge, and I am so proud of myself. I went on vacation at the end of March, and seem to have started down a slippery slope since then.

So, after being stuck at 217 for 3 weeks, this week I tried something new. I stopped exercising last week because of the cut on my leg, so I made an effort to stay below my calories. It would appear that I was unable to use sheer willpower to make healthy choices when faced with a huge number of calories at the end of my day, so I cut out the huge calorie burn for a few days, forcing me to stay below my calories, and make healthier choices. FINALLY, I broke the plateau when I stepped on the scale this morning. I exercised yesteray, but didn't eat back my exercise calories. I truly believe that you need to eat more to weigh less, but I was giving into a bad habit of eating crap because I had extra calories at the end of the day. I'm retraining myself again, and hopefully when I go back to exercising regularly, I'll be able to make healthier choices to finish up my calories.

Anyway, I hope all you lovely ladies are doing well. I'm finally looking forward to the weigh-in this Friday! Looking for a loss for the first time in too long!

Take care everyone!

Bridget

Hey Ladies! I am going to be skipping out of town for the weekend. So here are my measurements and Kasia's (kladyga) measurements.

Kasia's Measurements --- (first #s are from 3/30/11.....second set of #s are from 4/27/11….third set from 5/25/11)

L/R arm flex
Right arm - 12.5.....12….12
Left arm - 13.5.....12.5….13

Neck
14.....13….13

Chest/Nipple Line
40.5.....40.5….40

Waist/Belly Button
37.....40….39

Pooch
43.....42…44

Butt
45.5.....44….44.25

Hips
45.5.....44….44.25

L/R Thigh
Right Thigh - 26.....24….24.5
Left Thigh - 25.....24….25

L/R Calf
Right Calf - 17.....17.5…16.5
Left Calf - 18.5.....17.75….17



Jen's Measurements --- (first #s are from 3/30/11.....second set of #s are from 4/27/11….third set from 5/25/11)

L/R arm flex
Right arm - 11.....9.5….10
Left arm - 10.5.....9.75….9.25

Neck
11.5.....11.5…11

Chest/Nipple Line
34....33…33

Waist/Belly Button
35.5.....31.5….31.5

Pooch
37.....35.5….34

Butt
39.....38.75…36

Hips
39.....38.75…36

L/R Thigh
Right Thigh - 19.....18….19
Left Thigh - 19.5.....18.5….19

L/R Calf
Right Calf - 13.5.....13….13
Left Calf - 14.....13.5….14

***KERRI*** I would like to let you know my weigh in for the week too please.

It's 128.6. Woo-hoooooo!

I am going to miss you girlies. My hubby has a new toy so I might be able to get on and check in...but if not - everyone have a great and safe holiday weekend. xoxo I have tons of healthy alternative foods....so here's hoping I can be good! Sometimes going camping can be hard when there are 30 people cooking! LOL.

4/1: 170.8
4/8: 169.0
4/15: 167.0
4/22: 168.0
4/29: 166.8
5/6: 164.6
5/13: 164.6
5/20: 163.8
5/27: 163.8

Maintained. I was bummed about this until I took my measurements. Here are my measurements for may
Neck: 13.0 (0 change)
L Bicep: 13.25 (0 change)
R Bicep: 13.25 (0 change)
Chest: 36 (-1.75)
Waist: 29.75 (-0.75)
Pooch: 35.5 (-1.75)
Butt: 42 ( 0 change)
Hips: 36 (-0.5)
Left thigh: 20.5 (-0.5)
Right thight: 20.5 (-0.5)
L. Calf: 15.5 (-0.25)
R. Calf: 15.75 (-0.25)
BMI: 26.44
% Body fat: 26.13
Total inches lost: 6.25

So eventhough I haven't seen much movement on the scale in May (I think I lost maybe 3 lbs) It appears that I have succeeded in replacing some fat with muscle which was one of my goals. I think seeing my measurements change so much even though the scale isn't moving has given me the motivation to keep on pushing.

Here's my measurements at least. Usually I wake up just before Lukas so I have a bit of time to myself, but I didn't wake up until he was crying this morning so I totally forgot to weigh myself before chugging some water and eating.

Neck 13.75
Left Arm 12.25
Right Arm 12.5
Chest - at nipple line 39.25
Smallest Part of Waist 33.0
Pooch 39.0
Hips 40.25
Widest part of Butt 42.0
Left Thigh 20.5
Right Thigh 20.0
Left Calf 15.0
Right Calf 15.0

I lost 2.25 inches. Not as much as I hoped for, but still a loss! Will post my weight and BMI tomorrow. Going to take a picture now, I just don't know if I'm ready to post it though...

Reporting a 5 lb loss this week :noway: I'm back below the 160s! Thank goodness because I was about to give up, I was getting super discouraged. I think my body has finally gotten rid of all that mess I put in it a couple weeks ago and I'm back on track now and couldn't be more excited. I'm in the process of moving houses this weekend so I'll have to get my measurements in tomorrow when I find my tape measure. Good luck on everyone's weigh-in today!

Week 1 (4/01) - 162.6
Week 2 (4/08) - 162.2
Week 3 (4/15) - 157.6
Week 4 (4/22) - 157.8
Week 5 (4/29) - 159.0
Week 6 (5/06) - 160.2
Week 7 (5/13) - 160.4
Week 8 (5/20) - 164.4
Week 9 (5/27) - 159.4

Hi everyone, Sorry Ive been out of the loop lately. Its been a challenging month this month, a few ups but mostly downs and I completely fell off track with MFP.
Well, Im in a happier mood today, Im pretty pretty sure TOM has finally arrived....15 days late My head is wrecked from all the stress. I think it must have been down to my change in exercise routine and eating etc. But I think everything is back to normal now, I'll know for definite after the next few days pan out.
So with this mental month which included birthday weekend, LOTS of working long days and stressing over TOM being late, needless to say I threw my healthy eating plan out the friggin' window and couldn't motivate myself to workout.
After my birthday weekend I was up 4 lbs and then I was straight into 2 weeks of working on set and I am not lying when I say that I ATE EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. We had pizza, fries, sweets, sandwiches, chips, choc, fizzy drinks and coffee every single day on set and I gave in without fail. Then when that finished and I was waiting on TOM to arrive I started to stress myself out and continue on my eating binge. It was utterly ridiculous to say the least. Fast food and BAGS of chocolate! I can't believe I actually consumed what I did but I couldn't stop myself. And I haven't drank water in about 2 weeks.
However......I haven't put on a single pound since my birthday weekend??? I don't know how this is possible but this morning I hopped on the scale and I was still 154lbs and that's including all the bloating from TOM...so I guess Im really lucky my destructive month hasn't damaged me on the scale or else I probably would have given up entirely.
Now Im starting afresh right this instant because such a massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders and thankfully my MFP success so far hasn't been sabotaged so I feel ready to continue on this journey and get myself to where I want to be.

I cannot thank enough, those of you who were asking how I was doing during the last 2 weeks...it really was a nightmare...which I have learned from! It meant more than you know to have people to talk to when I find it difficult to go to friends with personal problems...Im very closed off and shy when it comes to discussing this stuff with people I know so thank you for being there for me! I really really appreciate it

Also my measurements haven't changed that much from last month (some have gone up a bit)...again, this month was a disaster and I wasn't focused at all on losing weight so forgive my bad results for this month

March 31st

---

April 29th

---

May 27th

Weight 156lbs

---

150lbs

---

154lbs = +4lbs
BMI 33

---

30

---

31 = +1
Neck 13.25"

---

12.75"

---

12.75" = 0
L Arm 12.25"

---

11.75"

---

11.75" = 0
R Arm 12.25"

---

11.75"

---

11.75" = 0
Chest 37"

---

35.5"

---

36" = +1
Waist 31"

---

28.5"

---

29" = +1
Pooch 39.5"

---

37"

---

37" = 0
Hips 40"

---

38.75"

---

39" = + 0.25
Butt 40.5"

---

39"

---

39.5" = + 0.5
L Thigh 23.5"

---

22.5"

---

22.5" = 0
R Thigh 23.5"

---

22.5"

---

22.5" = 0
L Calf 15.5"

---

14.75"

---

14.75" = 0
R Calf 15.5"

---

14.75"

---

14.75" = 0

Im back in the game from today onwards ladies. Im sorry for letting ye down this past month and not contributing to the good of the group in any way, shape or form. Apologies and many many thanks for all your encouragement and thoughtfulness the last couple of weeks :flowerforyou:

Well done to everyone this month. All your results are awesome. Such an inspiration to keep going

x

You are never going to believe what I did today!! Two hints: I'm 43 and never been there before and I'm scared to death. Give up. I joined a Fitstart program at the gym. It is a 6 wk program for intimidated fraidy-cats like me. Start on Monday ♥

You are never going to believe what I did today!! Two hints: I'm 43 and never been there before and I'm scared to death. Give up. I joined a Fitstart program at the gym. It is a 6 wk program for intimidated fraidy-cats like me. Start on Monday ♥

Great job! It is nice that they have programs to get people started at the gym. The gym is an addiction. Once you start going your body craves that kind of beating :-). I miss the gym and can't wait until my son is old enough to qualify for the babysitting services they offer so I can go back regularly.

@ Bridget- THat is wonderful! It is such a great feeling when something fits when you really don't expect it to.

HI GIRLS!!! I'm pretty much thinking that my body is happy at 130. I reallllly want to be down in the 120s but... I look healthy and feel great!! I have had ups and downs the last week. I just celebrated my 25th bday which means I drank and ate wayyy tooooo much. I also started a fertility drug bc we just can't get pregnant. It is def messing with my hormones and eating habbits,,, so I am scared to see the scale this coming week. I am still trying to not focus on the scale and more on toning. Our vacation is in 3 weeks and I will be e-mailing you all so I can get your final opinion. Thank you all for your support. Seems like we all have been a bit down lately...so we need to JAZZ it up!!! Keep pushing, keep thinking positive, we are all AMAZING women!! Regardless of what the scale says or the tape measurements say!! Heads up...chests out ladies!!!

Goals for the week!
---Under on sodium daily
---under on cals daily
---min. 12 cups of water daily
--- focus on quality negative calories foods throughout the week
--- make sure none of my fruits or veggies in the fridge go bad!!
---- 3 weekday workouts
----long weekend workout -
----100 squats for the week
---100 sit ups
--- 20 pushups
----Run the track at the park 2x around consecutively

---

>>> If you think of any good additions to my goals let me know

HEY LADIES, I have not forgot about you!

I am missing about half of the weights from last week (week 9) and about 1/3 of the measurements. . I am going to give another day or so for everyone to get them to me, then I will send it out! Let's talk about challenge ideas! The week is already 40% over, tehehe.

I can't get back to my scale until tomorrow, but I know it's going to be a wash anyway. Don't wait for my stats. So glad I can start fresh June1!