jenn13

So yeah its been a year since I joined Buddy Slim and I’m about 60 pounds lighter than I was last year.  Admittedly I have really been a slacker about getting on here but that doesnt mean I’ve been a slacker at home.  I worked my butt off in 2008.  I worked out at the gym 5-6 days a week for 11 months straight (in December I didnt do as well but I’ll explain later that…) and got my stamina up from 30 minutes to nearly 1-2 hours a day.  Three days a week I do an hour of cardio then an hour of weights (I take Body Pump class for weights.)  Then on the other days I do water aerobics, circuit training, treadmill, yoga, etc etc etc….I’ve gone down from a size 28 to a size 18 and can now wear most an XL or an XXL at Target compared to a 3x at the beginning of the year.  

I actually do have a ton more energy and if you go back to my blogs in the beginning I sure didnt think the energy was coming.  When I started I felt tired all the time…it took a few months and the loss of about 30 pounds before I really started feeling energetic.  So don’t get discouraged if you start and you dont instantly feel like running a marathon, it takes more time.  

 I’m still counting WW points even though I’m cheap and don’t attend the meetings.  Admittedly I got off the “journaling” bandwagon about 4 months ago but I just started back because I wanted to make sure I am really keeping good track of my calories/points.

I had lost about 23 pounds before joining buddy slim last year and so after joining and going strong for about 6 months I hit my first plateau.  I had lost about 70 total pounds at that time and since them I’ve been like a stalled car only losing 1-2 pounds a month…but the inches have been coming off left and right so I’ve managed to keep my chin up and keep going despite the number on the scale not hitting what I’d like….

 So December I was feeling pretty burnt out so I took a little break….I ate a little more, exercised a little less and basically rebooted a bit.  I know that at the beginning of last year I would have just fallen off the wagon completely but not this time…..come January 1 I was back at the gym full force.  I’m hoping to post a good weight loss soon based on the small break and then kicking it back up a notch….

Also, starting tonight I will now be TEACHING water aerobics at the YMCA rather than just participating.  This is something I never thought I’d be doing a year ago.  I’ll teach Aqua Kickboxing (my favorite) two nights a week and I’ve never felt better. 

 Thanks for the support of Buddy Slim - even though I’ve been neglecting coming on here I plan try and make it in more often and hopefully we’ll all be even lighter in 2009!!!!

 Jenn

Ok so I’ve not been signing on here as much and part of that is work has really picked up and the other part is that I’ve hit my first plateau.  I wasn’t coming on here because it was depressing each week not to be able to post a loss.  I’ve not lost 1 pound since 6-17-08 – nor have I lost an INCH so the whole building muscle theory isn’t working either (grr.)

The first month I was ok with it.  I stayed positive and said it will all work out.  But I’m 2 months into this godforsaken plateau and I’m starting to lose my mind…

I’ve done everything I can think of to get over this plateau…here’s a list just of what I’ve done.  I’m hoping that you guys who have gone through this…

*upped the intensity of my work outs

*lowered the intensity of my work outs

*changed my work out routine

*worked out in the morning and evening rather than just the evening

*started weight training 3 x a week (but have not lost inches at all so grr)

*stopped working out completely for 1 week while I was on vacation

*upped my calories

*lowered my calories

*staggered my caloric intake from day to day

*counted sodium/protein (I’m sort of a vegetarian (eat fish sometimes) so wasn’t sure I was getting enough protein)

I went off my “diet” completely for my vacation in hopes that when I came back I’d have shocked my system back into check but NOPE….

I’ve thought about changing to a low carb situation for a few weeks but I don’t really eat meat so I think I’d just go insane eating only soy and cheese and beans…so I’m hoping I can figure out another idea to try instead. 

I do have a doctor’s appointment in two weeks because I’m hoping she’ll have some kind of suggestion because I’m fresh out and feeling really down about it.  I’m still chugging along though because I’m NOT giving up….just feeling really really frustrated…

Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions they would be welcomed with open arms. 

Well it has been FOREVER since I’ve blogged.  I got a new client at work and they kick my butt from 8-5 every day so I haven’t been able to “play” as much on here as I’d like.  But that didn’t mean I gave up my weight loss.  I’ve been continuing to work out and count my WW points and it paid off today.  I hit my 50 pound mark today.  I’m so excited about that!   I’ve lost 6 inches off my waist, 4 inches off my butt, and 4 inches off my hips….my legs and arms are getting smaller too!  I went from a snug 26 to my 22 pants nearly falling off (I need new pants but hate to buy them b/c they aren’t fitting for long.)   I’m wearing 14/16 shirts from a 22/24 at Lane Bryant.   I even bought a dress from Dillards in a size 16 the other day and that shocked me. 

I’ve got 13 pounds to my mini goal and I’m super excited to get there b/c when I do I’ve promised myself a day at the spa near my house.  I’m busting my butt to try and get that by the end of July.  I think it is for sure possible!

 Keep up the hard work guys b/c it will pay off if you do!

Well I know I havent been around much.  I have had TONS going on lately.  It sucks.  I got a new client at work and they are kicking my ass with stuff to do….so less time to play online right now.  I’m hoping it will die down here soon.

 I did want to say that last Saturday I registered as a “runner” at my first 5K for the Humane Society.  I ran a good portion of the first mile and about half of the second mile.  I did power walk the last mile though….I was exhausted and so was my dog haha!  I got a tshirt and everything….and the tshirt fit in a XL - that isnt a plus just a plain old XL….felt great!   One of the hardest things I’ve done to date exercise wise but I am excited to have tried.  I did it in 45 minutes which means I’m slow haha but I did a 15 min mile and that is pretty good for someone who started at nearly a 30 minute mile a few months ago….

 The weight loss is still going but SLOW….I’m lucky to get a pound in each week but I just think about the turtle/rabbit story and try and take it one weigh in at a time.  I’m not a patient person but all I can do it keep pushing on.  Hoping I’ll break through this barrier soon b/c I REALLY want to make my mini goal by vacation in July….

 Well back to hell, I mean work, talk to you all soon!  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

 Jenn

Hey guys!  Sorry I’ve been a little absent lately on the blog circuit.  Work has been insane and I just haven’t had much time to play…it sucks.  Anyway, I’m doing ok on my weight loss.  I only have 20 pounds until I reach my mini goal but the weight sure is coming off slow.  I have allowed myself to be a little too liberal lately with portions, etc so I’m trying to rein that in before it gets out of hand.  It seems when life gets unstructured is when I tend to slip up the most.  My car broke down last week and I had a sleu of other things going on so my work outs suffered as well as I ate a few things more than I should have etc.  I didn’t go off the deep end or anything but little things add up just as much as having one big bad meal so I just need to make sure I stay focused on the end game and keep it up.   I’m in this until the end so I know I’ll stay back on track. 

 I have gone from a size 28 to loose fitting size 22’s.  I’m in a 1x comfortably rather than a 3x tight.  It is such a great feeling and I’m trying not to go out and buy any new clothes becuase I know I’ll just be out of them soon but all my clothes are a baggy mess haha.  I have bought a few shirts and stuff but overall it is nice to see my first set of “skinny” (its all relative) jeans falling off me….So just keep it up out there.  The results will speak for themselves!

 Anyway, back to work….boo hoo.  Hope you all are rockin’ the weight loss!!!

 Happy Tuesday!

Well I’ve hit 40 pounds of weight loss today.  I’m pretty excited about that.  Been feeling a little “blah” lately but still keeping up with exercise and doing well on my eating.  I think that alone shows that I’m really changing.  Before any little ‘blah’ mood could send me into a sugar comma or some kind of food binge.  Now I just either wait it out or try and throw in a little more exercise to clear my head…just about anything to keep me from binging on food and I feel pretty good about it.  Now I’ve not been a saint or anything.  I’ve had a few “bad” things….it isn’t all carrot sticks and salads….but the bad stuff is few and far between and I always exercise a little extra too. 

 Anyway, I’m staring down that “mini goal” because I am only 23 pounds away.  I really want to hit it by July when I go on vacation.  I think I can do that for sure as long as I keep this up (which I will!)

 I know I’ve been kind of in and out lately but I wanted to share my progress and wish everyone out there a Happy Tuesday!

Well guys, I signed up for soccer months ago but with all the rain the Midwest has had we didn’t play our first game until this past Saturday.  It was my attempt at sports since highschool (nearly 10 years & 150lbs lighter) and needless to say I was nervous.  Well here is how it went….

 Ok I get my target XXL short/capris on (excited they fit even looser than when I bought them and they aren’t technically plus size) with my gray tshirt (our team color) and matching socks and grab a bottled water and head out to the game. 

When I get there we all start warming up by kicking the ball around and getting to know eachother since it is our first game.  I’m excited because I’ve got really nice teamates and it seems really casual.  We set up who will play what positions.  I insist on playing defense b/c I KNOW running is going to be a problem and defense usually doesn’t have as much up/down the field as the rest of the players.  Oh and did I mention that a bunch of girls for each team couldnt make it so we’re playing 7 on 9 (my team had the 7 players, yikes) so there were no potentials for subs, we were in it for the long haul, alone!

The whistle went off and I am pumped and we start playing.  For about the first 15-20 minutes I’m keeping up.  I’ve got a small issue though and it is every time I run I can hear my fat belly jiggling.  I’m laughing about it now becuase it is hilarious (you should hear it haha) but in the game it was freaking me out.  I know gross right!

So about 30 into the first half I thought I was going to die.  The idea that I had another entire 45 minute half left made me want to fake some kind of seisure so I could get the heck out of there!  But half time came and I got some water and sat down and the miracle came that b/c of the impending rain we’d only play a 30 minute 2nd half.  I siked myself up and got back on the field.   So the 2nd half went by a little faster but was still side splittingly painful.  I used all the energy I had left and just tried to keep moving and do a good job for my team. 

 After the game was over I felt a huge sense of RELIEF.  I had made it and I didn’t pass out or throw up or anything but I felt like someone ran over me with a semi truck.   But on the way down to the car I smiled.  The 288 pound me would never have even tried….and even though it was probably the most physically difficult thing I’ve done in 5 years - I finished it and did a pretty ok job at it too.   Sure I’ve got a wide open space for improvement and I’m for sure the slowest runner on the team….but I still did it….and I’m still able to remember that great feeling every time I stand up because I’m still sore today LOL! 

So go do some physically painful exercise today hahaha….it feels awesome! 

Well I’m down to 251.  Once I get under 250 I’ll be the smallest I’ve been in I don’t know how long - at least 2 years I think.  I’m pretty excited to be close to that number and I’ll be even more excited to be UNDER it because that would be a real forward moving accomplishment.  Hope that makes sense?  I guess what I mean is to be under that weight in my head is like saying that I’m really going to be able to do this and I can keep going…

 Weight loss is so day by day because the bigger picture is so overwhelming when you have 150 pounds to loose.  But seeing that mini goal in the future and having a resonable date to accomplish it has really kept me going.  I can’t wait to see 225 (then 199, then 188 - yes I have my future mini goals planned out I’m type A ha-ha) and I know I won’t stop unti I see every goal number in my head.  It drives me to keep going. 

I want to say to anyone who think it will take losing 100 pounds to feel better physically and emotionally that even at 37 pounds of weight loss I feel like a whole new woman.  I actually love to exercise!  Some days are harder to get to the gym but I go anyway and when I’m done I feel better than when I went in.  I wouldn’t say I’ve been hit by a ton of new found energy or anything.  A lot of diet commercials and people say how much energy they get back.  I am still a big fan of sitting on the couch and watching TV in the evenings (after my work out) but I can tell that I’m less likely to be a totaly potato about it.  Some nights I might even get up and do a few sets of arm bands during commercials or do some light yoga poses…or even “bench press” my little dog Teddy b/c he thinks that is playing - hahaha!   

 OK I’ll quit rambling…but last thing.  I’m SOOO excited to watch the finale of Biggest Loser tonight.  I really hope a woman wins the whole thing this time.  I’ve never watched this show before but it really inspires me.  I’m sad it is going off the air after tonight.  But there is always next season!  Hopefully I’ll be down a few more mini goals by then.

 Happy Tuesday!

OK guys, I changed my profile picture to something more recent.  Honestly though I really can’t tell much difference in my face.  I did wear a size 22 jeans this weekend and felt great….although I’m now looking to get into my size 20 clothing!  Anyway, I put the two pics below just to see if side by side I could tell much of a difference and I really can’t BUT thats ok because I feel a difference and that is what matters!  Hope everyone is having a great Monday!  It is a beautiful day here first one in a long time (darn rain) - hope everyone gets out to exercise!

Well I finally made it.  I hit the big 30 pounds weight lost!  Technically I’m at 32 pounds but whos counting - haha!  I’m pretty excited about that too.  I measured today for the first time since February and I’ve lost a couple of inches in all the key areas and then 1-1.5 inches in my legs and arms.  That was pretty cool too.  So I’m 31 pounds away from my mini goal.  I’m hoping to hit this goal by July 14th which is right before I go visit a friend in Vermont.  I haven’t seen her in about a year so I think she’ll be so surprised and that will be fun.   

I’ll try and get some pictures this weekend of me to post but honestly I don’t think that there will be much to tell yet.  I can fit in most size 22 clothes now - down from a solid 26 but I still don’t really “see” it yet but I do have to look at myself every day so I probably won’t for a while.  Others do though and that is cool.    In fact the YMCA said I need to update my photo b/c I look so different.  I asked them if I could wait until I reached my mini goal because I think that will be a good bf & after picture - scary!

Happy Tuesday everyone - hope you’re all having a great day and keeping up the good work!