Church photos comparision...oh my God!

So the other day after church as we do every Sunday we congregate on the church patio and visit. My brother in law and his family also attend the same church so we always visit after. My nephew took a photo and my husband and I and he took a good photo which was nice for a 13 year old! So after I uploaded it I was making space on my computer and going through other photos of what I could clear when I came upon a photo of me on the church patio maybe 1 year ago. Oh my GOD! Horrific. I did a comparison below but this is what helps me keep going to the gym and watching what I eat. My motivation is myself sometimes! :-)

Please don't scratch your eyes out with a cheese grater after viewing my before :-)

I Survived Thanksgiving & Found motivation again...

I went to the gym back to back, trained hard cut calories all in preparation for Thanksgiving. Well I enjoyed myself on Thanksgiving no problem but I surely did feel all of that food really wasn't the same emotionally maybe as it had been in the past. I was kind of over it. Yes its good food but me being healthy and keeping on track was actually more important to me. There was the biggest loser special where are they now and that was perfect to have before Thanksgiving keeps the motivation up. Also last weekend hubby and I were able to go out to dinner with some good friends. The friends are very athletic and I see them at train with my husband. Over the four of five years they've known us I've been heavy and had two babies back to back. They train at the same gym I train at and so I see them all the time when I go and they're always praising me and giving me motivation so that is fabulous but whenever I see them I'm in my frumpy gym attire. So when we went out to dinner I was able to get dressed nicely and it was really sweet how they kept complimenting me. Telling me wow, look how skinny and stylish you are! I mean I do see them all the time but I think when I dress up it makes a difference and I was really happy about that. They gave me extra motivation to continue on without even knowing it. My scale is moving again yipee!!

My little princess stepped on my laptop and cracked the plasma screen but I figured out last night I was able to just hook a standard computer monitor up to my laptop and view the screen! Yipee access to photos and videos again, phew. So that saved me a good chunk of money. I'm trying to work this thing as long as I can. It is a good little laptop for what we've put it through. I have TONS of music on it and photos so that would really be a bummer if I lost all that. Now I'm going to back up the whole drive so in case something else happens I should be good to go with my stuff.

Okay so Hubby is a friggen world class cook and baker and with my weak will power its been hard. I usually arrive home from work and he has dinner ready. Usually always a healthy meal so its fabulous. But when I arrived home from work last night he had baked from scratch whole wheat macoroni and cheese. Oh my gosh like I need tempation. So that was my dinner!!! But I didn't have too much but it was really really good AND it had vegtables in it too. Who knew!

I am trying to get back my motivation to be very very strict with my intake and its not coming. It was helpful today in the gym that they have a mirror on the SIDE of the tredmill so I got to look at my bumps and lumps from the side which I can tell you is motivational! At MY gym the treadmill faces the mirror, and my face is all I can see and my face is thinner so I'm totally happy with that view. The side view ew.. I think also the fact that its winter is detering me. During summer when everyone is practically naked it certainly motivation to keep losing weight. By next summer I should be good. My ultimate goal is to be very fit. Very in shape. And to be very healthy.

Excercise: Weights & Cardio

Food:
6am: skipped, too lazy to get food bad bad
9am: Balance Bar & Water
12pm: Green Salad with Turkey
3pm:

Me A Soccer Goalie??

Ah early rise again but a slow early rise. I didn't leave the house till 4:45am, then I got to work about 5:20 am so I only had 40 minutes to work out and shower. I wasn't able to get much gym time in because I still needed to shower and get into my uniform for work so I have to cut it short to be on time. I most likely am going to have to go back again today but to my own gym (which I love!) near my house.

I have been snacking a bit, will power does not reside at my house anymore! I will be honest I have *lost* my huge motivation to continue losing weight. I think because I am so thrilled with where I am, I haven't looked like this is probably 10 years that its hard to keep striving. I think for a mother of 4 in her early 30s I look pretty good. But then I do have societal pressure (which does help) I mean have you seen Orange County Housewives, do you see the types of ladies which prance amoung California. So that is helpful to 'some' small degree.

Hubby suggested I join some competitive sport thing. Something that will keep me really active without the focus of losing weight. With the focus of just having fun and doing a team or individual sport. Which is a good idea. One problem, gotta find a sport and find more time ! haa haa

Todays Diet has been alright:

6am: Cottage Cheese
9am: Chicken Salad & Pita chips (yes, thats a cheat!)
11am: some cashews & pita chips (yes cheating again!)
1pm: Tuna & Green Salad
4pm: Balance Power Bar
7pm:

Workout : 20 minutes on the KILLER stair mill!

4am wake up...

Seriously people, if I can lose weight ANYONE can. I am awake and busy probably 20hrs of the day. Litereally last night I only slept 4hrs. Wednesdays are my night off of the gym. I went to work 12hrs, came home took the big boys to their fighting stuff, took Gabriel to his baby boyscout meeting. Ran home put babies to bed, then Hubby and I went groceries till 11pm. This was 'our' time to visit. I was dead tired but I thought it was sweet that he wanted me to go with him groceries so that we could 'visit'. This is when we have to squeeze time in?, grocery shopping. Not the most romantic type idea but hey at 10pm at night, grocery shopping with ZERO kids is a treat. Came home, unpacked all the goodies,showered and the snuggled into a fresh bed and watched one episode of my favorite Judge Judy!! (even my 3 year old knows the first three beats of Judge Judy theme music, da da da da... Mama Wudge Wudy?) Once the lights go out I don't even attempt to fall asleep it just happens like a strike of lighting. Just done. Goodnight,asleep. I took the fitness class that is required at work in order to utlize the City's gym. SO as of this Monday my keycard now has access to the gym. So after my glorious 4hrs of sleep I sat up rolled out of bed put on my workout clothes and drove to work. It was really toasty in the gym which I was excited about because at 5am its rather cold. I mean I do live in California so its not that bad but its cold for me. I worked out then took a shower and walked over the Station. Its nice. I already feel accomplished for the day and I think I will eat better today knowing I already worked out! I have 10hrs of work ahead of me then a 1hr commute home then tonight is an honor roll awards ceremony for my teenager. Phew... do you see why I make the claim if I can work out and lose weight anyone can! Its true. I'm sometimes jealous of people who have so much free time on their hands or a quiet house with stuff that doesn't move out of place. But I am also truely blessed with my family so I appreciate that.

My Workout this morning:

I realize I'm all over the place with my body parts. I wasn't focusing on my back or abs etc.. just chosing machines I like today.

Leg Press Machine
Lat Pulls
Cable Crunchs
Cardio: Ellipitcal


Food:

6am:Cliff Bar
9am:Snack some cashews
10:45: Fat Free cottage cheese
1:30pm: Spinach Salad with Tuna Fish


As I've mentioned I'm a drink person. Some people aren't. If you are a beverage kind of person you understand what I'm saying. I love my drinks. Of course water is #1 choice, but when I want a treat I go for tea. I even make pitchers of tea for the kids at home. Each pitcher uses about half a box of the tea bags. So i get two pitchers of tea from a box of tea. I usually get the teas that are on sale $2.50 or 2 boxes for 5 boxes. Figure $2.50 for two gallons of juice would be a bargain. So instead I give my kids Tea. Anyways this stuff is delish. They also have sampler boxes which I go for when I'm not sure of which flavor I may like. I really find that I've liked all the teas I've purchased. So I don't necessarily have to use a certain brand. I generally get a fruity tea or a green tea with some fruity flavor. Black teas are a little blah for me.

SICK!!!

I was sick for 3 days!!!! You'd think you would loose weight but after I stopped being sick I was so thrilled to have an appetite and be able to taste we went out to dinner!

Back at work today and back on the track! Watched the Biggest Loser which is always inspirational to me. Did you see Rebecca my gosh she looked wonderful!!!

I should mention, my aforementioned princess daughter all 25lbs of her stepped on my laptop and broke the plasma inside the screen so I am computerless. I work odd days so when I'm on my days off I'm not able to blog.

Back to the routine, ah. During my days off I will admit I am doing bad food wise. I think my problem is I need to get more snacks for myself. Also hubby and I we enjoy going out to dinner together during our days off.

We have a fabulous work out together on Sunday. I think it was an hour and half. It was wonderful. We did our workouts and finished off with a trip to the steam room. It was nice.

My lower back is hurting much as it used to when I was more overweight. I think I need to lower the weights on my routine. Lately I've increased my weight. I think that coupled with other factors (like my 16 month old wanting me to carry her in a sling!) has strained my back. I need to remember that I want to TONE up not BULK up. So I'm going to lower my weight but increase my rep. So now instead of doing 100lbs lat pull downs, 10 reps, 3 sets. I'm going to do 70lb lat pull downs, 15 rep, 4 sets. Its like lifting a flea to pull 70lbs of weight which feels dumb but I need to reduce the strain right now. The worst would be really hurting myself and being out of the gym for a bit.

To answer some specific questions which have been asked. As far as protein bars. To me they are like a candy bar! Sometimes I need that little fix so I prefer to eat a protein bar. I myself like the cliff bars they have 21g of protein which is perfect for me. I buy them for $1.66 at the grocery store but they sell them anywhere. The specific one I get is the Cliff Bar Builders. If my laptop worked i could link photos of everything but for now i will include internet links to make my life easy. I also eat Trader Joe's High Fiber Cereal. If you follow my diet you we see its pretty boring and pretty much the same. But I change my patterns every so often cause I find something new I like or just get on some new fix to eat sprouts. Or whatever it may be.

Intake:

6am Cliff Bar
9am TJ Cereal
12pm Turkey Cesar Salad
3pm Cliff Bar
7pm-Chicken & Veg

Exercise: Day off tonight

50.2lbs LOST!

This morning was the official day, I've lost 50.2lbs, I attempted to snap a photo of the scale but hello if I hold the camera it would add 'weight' to the scale and I tried a few times to jump on and off but I got one fuzzy shot. Now I can move onto my next goal of losing another 25lbs. I mentally break down my weight loss into increments of 25lbs. I've lost the first 25lbs, check, I've lost the second 25lbs check, now onto the third goal. I am on track losing 10lbs a month but as you can see by my food journal I'm wavering in either my intake or my steady workouts. I've been really tired lately sometimes exhausted so I need to put myself first and go to sleep.

On Saturdays I am able to utilize the gym at work. Its not the same really good work out but its enjoyable. My gym closes early on the weekend, weird I know. So its hard to get there after work with the kids and stuff.

Today's food intake:

6am: Cliff Protein Bar
9am: Trader Joe's High Fiber Cereal w/Almond Milk
12pm: Salad w/Turkey
3pm: Protein Shake
7pm: Baked Chicken and Brown Rice

Exercise:

Weights & Stairwill, (I sweated like a pig!) ahhh!

SCROLL TO THE VERY BOTTOM FOR MY BEFORE:

50lbs lost:

My food journal today consist of:

6am: Cliff Protein Bar
10am: Trader Joes High Fiber Ceral with Almond Milk
1pm: Cliff Protein Bar
3pm: Snack- Pomegranate
5pm: Left over Chicken Parmigiana

Drinks: Tea & Water

No work out went to bed at 8:30pm! Again!!

So yesterday was a relaxing day for me. During my work week I get up at 5am. I go to sleep habitially too late so I'm always running on an empty sleep tank. Rest is also an important part of being healthy and restoring your body so every once in a while if I skip a day I don't feel guilty about it. Yesterday I had the full evening available to go the gym but I choose not to. The big boys and their father were at their classes so it was just me and the babies. The babies went to be early so I was able to just relax. I got into my bed and was able to watch some of my shows I had on DVR. Ahhh it was wonderful and I don't feel on bit guilty about it. For my food intake I did well but I induldged on a wonderful dinner of chicken parmagina which included garlic bread... ahhhh

Meal 1: Trader Joe's High Fiber Ceral with Almond Milk
Meal 2: Chicken & Salad
Meal 3: Protein Bar
Meal 4: Cottage Cheese
Meal 5: Chicken Parmagina (no wheat pasta for me i skipped that and indludged in bread)

Beverages for the day: Lots of water and tried Blueberry Tea from Celestial Seasonings oh it was GOOD. Tasted like watery juice but it was delish!

My Food Intake...

To put it simply my food is high protein and low carb. I eat every 3 hours (which helps my metabolism regulate and constantly burn away the food). I eat small meals every 3 hours, and do not eat past 7pm. I drink tons of water and tea. I prefer cold tea. I love it. I on ocassion have one diet soda as a treat. But thats rare.

I aim for 25grams of protein in each meal. I can't recall how we got that number I believe its you're ideal weight divided in three or something. I need to check with my husband and his grams of protein are much more because his weight is more. I am not very good at reading labels but I'm getting better, I usually pass it over to hubby and say can I have this? ... and he'll tell me. I do know that all the weight watchers stuff I generally can not have. They go off calories and sugar I believe so thats whats lower in their food and or snacks but they're very high in carbs so I can't have those. I don't think I'm strict on a caloric number but I try to eat "clean" meaning no processed foods. You can google it, its a term. Its also known as a diabetic type way of life.

What also works really good is a shake or bar then a meal. Shake or bar then a meal so you have 3 meals and 3 shakes a day. That works well and after awhile and eating so often you run out of food ideas.

At first for the first 3 months I was very strict and did not waiver at all. Once I began to see clear results I began to sometimes treat myself on the weekend or on a special occasion.

Proteins can be:

Chicken, Steak, Turkey, Fish, Beans, Egg Whites, Greek Yogurt, Nuts, Cottage Cheese, Protein Shakes, and Protein Bars

For a typical day (and from now on I would journal my food on the blog).

5am: Protein Shake (sometimes just mixed with water, sometimes i add yogurt & fruit)
8am: Cottage Cheese
11am: Protein Shake/Protein Bar
1pm: Chicken & Veg
4pm: Protein Shake/Protein Bar
7pm: Dinner with the family usually whole wheat pasta & protein or protein & veg

Some of my snacks are, almonds, jerky, laughing cow cheese with wheat crackers, or fresh berries.

At first it was very hard to curb cravings but I just had the willpower. Now I've kind of broken the love of food so I'm able to just eat food. As hubby also tells me... Food is for FUEL, not for pleasure. And after awhile that does become true, you eat because you're suppose to but it does get boring and montonous.

My Work Outs

I am 5 months into my workout nows so bare in mind that I have progressed immensely in the amount of exercise and cardio I can do. Since my lifestyle change my approach has really been balls to the walls. I haven't puttered around the gym or puttered around the park track. I've went balls to the walls. At first my weight was a hinderance because I was too heavy to run on the treadmills it hurt my knees so I used the elliptical instead.

I vary my workouts but my general pattern is weights then cardio. My works out are usually 60-90minutes long. I work out 3 days in a row, then 1 day off, then 3 days on, 1 day off etc...

I have recently began treating myself to a sauna room visit after my working out.

My Cardio

For my Cardio I go for distance usually, not time. So if I run on the treadmill I continue till I hit 2 miles. Sometimes time wise, it maybe 20 minutes sometimes 30 minutes if i change the speed. If I get tired of running I put the treadmill on slower but put the incline up to as high as it goes. I constantly change it up so that I'm still moving but "techincally" I feel like its a break. My cardio generally consists of three machines.

*Elliptical (45 minutes, Level 12)
*Treadmill (Running, Hiking or doing sprints)
*Stairmaster (45 minutes, Level 7)

With each machine you can vary the level, speed and times. So this what I do. At first I was on the elliptical for 15 minutes lowest level and that was such an accomplishment. Now I can do it on Level 12 for almost an hour. I also could barely run, now I can run quite a while and even use the treadmill for sprints.

I think a key thing to remember is to variate. Your body gets used to a certain exercise or certain food and then its kind of halts. So I always mix it up, its also good for the sanity too.

For My Weight Training, I enjoy that. Its painful but its quick, you takes breaks in between and you change machines/moves often. The cardio to me is the punishment. Weight training I don't mind. I use the various machines and do various exercises. I don't know enough exercises to do a body part each day. Some people just do legs one day, then abs another day etc... I probably really should figure out a routine like that. I even have Jillian Michaels books where she clearly maps that out as well. I really should get on that.

My weight routine usually is the leg press, squat machines, leg curls, seated row, lat pull down bar and tricep dips. I also use free weights and do tricep kick backs or other biceps exercises. I do 3 sets of 10 reps each. So I do ten, then take a break. Then do ten then take a break until I've completed. At the beginning I may use a small amount of weight and now I'm up to using 100 lbs or more on some machines. *photos of work out machines at the bottom, scroll towards the bottom*

For some reason I am fixated on my fat arms? I need to get fixate on my stomach. Thats what I need to focus on. That will be forth coming.

The Beginning...

I was a young teen mother, married with two children by the time I was nineteen years old. I graduated High School with honors and went on to State College with scholarships. I pursued a career in law enforcement, the field I still work today. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we are blessed with four beautiful children. I became an emotional eater during all of the ups and downs of my life and weight crept up on me. I was always the mom of boys. During my young motherhood we had two sons. They played baseball,soccer, basketball and all those boy things. When my husband and I were a little more stable in life and careers we decided we wanted more children. My boys were 13 and 10 years old at the time of that decision. In 2006my third son arrived and added to the gaggle of boys.

Now I was dealing with teenagers and toddlers and working more than forty hours a week. My home life consisted of swimming in a sea of testosterone boys, boys and more boys. My sons and my husband compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu FULL TIME. You know the UFC fight stuff. They train full time and compete all over the state. I mean really could it get any more manly?? Have you ever heard the expression, Sausage Fest? Yeah, that's my life being in a frigging Sausage Fest. Boys look up to their father. Their father is their example. He is in the best shape ever, keeps a strict diet and exercises and works out religiously. I guess as I became overweight being a bad example didn't cross my mind, I never really thought much about it because my husband was modeling excellent behavior for the boys. Weight continued to be an annoyance and summers were uncomfortable. I hated seeing myself in photos or my reflection in the mirror. My beauty routine consisted of a pony tail and lip gloss. I wear uniforms at work so I never put my thought into clothes or shoes. I was just a Mother of Boys.

We wanted one more child and of course it would be a boy. Why not. I have three sons and all nephews. I had already grieved any thought of ever having a daughter and the special things we could do together. In 2008 my precious little daughter was born. Yes, that's right we broke the mold and a little diva princess was born. And you're right in thinking her room looks like pepto bismol and she has every over the top girly accessory that I could buy and I am loving having a daughter! She is spoiled and precious and just the apple of her Daddy's Eye. She knows how to work her teenage brothers into melting mush and she knows how to keep her 3 year old brother a bay with the swat of her little hand. She is my little sweetheart.

It was at my daughters first birthday I had an epiphany. One year had passed since my gift was born, during that one year I could've accomplished losing weight the monotonous daggering thought that ran through my mind ever single day.

I realized I do not want to be a bad example to my daughter. I do not want to be one of those Moms at the mall who is overweight with her overweight daughter in tow. I don't want her to become an emotional eater or not know how to choose food properly. So this is how my journey began. May 29, 2009 is when my 'new lifestyle' began.

My husband and sons follow a high protein low carb diet. With their help along with my willpower I have began my new way of life. And to date I am 50lbs lighter, in 5 months.

A lot of people ask me how I work out, what I eat and so forth, I wanted to begin this blog to be inspiration and to track my continued progress. I always enjoyed tracking my progress of being pregnant and watching my belly grow. So I did take photos of my weight loss progress. Its like the reverse of belly growth! These are my starting photos taken June 1st 2009.