Week Three Weigh-in....2 POUNDS DOWN

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh-in: 247 lbs (Dec 24/08)
Current Weight: 245lbs Total Loss: 13 (2 this week)

Well another 2 pounds down. I weigh 245 (can't believe it, the numbers are dropping) WHO HOOOOO!!!!
I was a bit disappointed because I wanted a bigger loss, seeing that I was soooooo good at Christmas. This is what would normally happen in the past when I tried to lose weight. If I felt I didn't do as well as I thought I should, I would be so disappointed that I would sabotage all the progress I made thusfar - well NOT this time. I reminded myself that I did meet yet another goal of losing 2 pounds in a week. This is a good thing. I've lossed 13lb, in 3 weeks, I feel awesome...I've got nothing to be disappointed about. I am going to see this through to the end.

I plan to really give it my all for this last week of my first month. Not that I haven't been giving it my all because I HAVE!! But I just feel I can push that much harder and I WILL!!

So that's it...I'll be back later, just wanted to give the update. Thanks for all the support. Signing off 13 pounds lighter!! :)

J

Still Moving Along...

Hi everyone,

Well the 2008 is quickly coming to an end and I personally can't wait for 2009!! I just feel that it will be a great year!! Out with the old and in with the new!! :)

So Christmas came and went and I am so proud of myself for not giving in to ALL those cravings I had...my goodness!! That was one of the hardest thngs I've ever done in my life. Resisting all those goodies (especially the walnut buttertart squares!)..wow!! BUT, I am on a mission and intend to see it through. So far, so good.

I will be celebrating New Year's differently this year...no champagne (just water in a pretty glass), no beer nuts/chips - just a few almonds!! I plan to stay in this year, I don't want to subject myself to anymore direct temptations for the time being (Christmas was enough). I'll still have a good time..watch a movie with my husband and son and just spend some family time. I've also given my husband my blessing (or as i like to call it, permission) to go out that night (if he wants) :)

My 3-week weigh in is tomorrow. I feel like the time is flying, just one more week and I will have completed my first month. That means I will take my first progress picture - can't wait to see if I'll be able to notice any results (I hope so). I do feel different, but I don't know how visible it is, if at all. We'll see (very soon).

Anyway, just wanted to stop by quickly as it's been a few days since I posted anything. Haven't been feeling great...soar throat and a bit of a fever, but I'm fighting it and not letting it stop me from doing my workouts (I think they may even be helping!!)

I will post my weigh in numbers tomorrow - will be interesting to see if my two glasses of red wine had an effect!! :D

Christmas Dinner has come and gone...THANK GOODNESS!!

Okay so Christmas dinner is officially OVER! Thank goodness!! So,how did I do? How much damage? Well...I had 2 glasses of red wine (which was not that bad)!!!!!! That's it nothing else!! No desserts, no cheesy baked macaroni pie, NOTHING!! Considering all the food and choices of desserts,I'm quite pleased with my behaviour today! Just two glasses of red wine!!! Trust me when I say this , IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

This evening wasn't as bad as I thought. The baked mac and dessert were the biggest challenges for me. Patricia...you totally took one for the team BIG TIME today!! She stood up with me tonight. She DID NOT have any desserts even if it was killing her, she wanted the shortbread, but she past it up! Stood with me in solidarity!! Thanks Trish :)))It did make it a bit easier for me..this type of support is why I am so thankful !! She even agreed to work out with me one day before she leaves - I'm holding her to it. Thanks hon, it really does mean a lot to me!

Anyway, I was really good today! I survived Christmas dinner. I would have never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be at a Christmas dinner and not have desserts..NEVER!! Well it happened today and for me, that means a lot!!

Thanks for stopping by..All the best of the Holiday season to you and yours!
J

Merry Christmas Everyone......and it will be.........

Hi all,

Well I woke up this morning and went outside for a brisk walk (cardio day). I already know that Christmas will be different because this is the first time in my 34 years of life that I've woken up on Christmas morning, thanked God for my blessings AND WENT OUTSIDE TO EXERCISE!!!!! I actually feel great, energized.

Today will undoubtedly be a challenge for me, but I'm ready for it (after all my last name before marriage was "Challenger")!! :)

I will pop in later tonight to let you all know how I did!! I may just need to get away from the temptations!! It might help to take period breaks away from all of it!

Anyway, wish me luck today.....and most of all, HAVE a wonderful Christmas!! Enjoy the treats for me!!!

Thanks everyone - all the best!

Joania

Week Two Weigh-in...3 POUNDS DOWN!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh-in: 250 lbs (Dec 17/08)
Current Weight: 247lbs
Total Loss: 11 (3 this week)

It's not as big a number as last week's but this week I've lost another 3 POUNDS!! That brings my total to 11 pounds in two weeks!! WhoooooooHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and pleased with the results. So far the hard work and sacrifice is truly paying off!!!
I've got to go, but will continue later or tomorrow.

I feel great!! Awesome, actually!! ROB it's working!!!!!!!!!**smiles***

Next hurdle: CHRISTMAS DINNER!! ;((

HELP!!!!!!!CHRISTMAS DINNER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's been two weeks. Tomorrow morning I will step on that scale once again with my fingers and toes tightly crossed!! I feel good. I don't know if I am losing pounds but I know for a fact I'm losing inches. my pants are so loose. I don't have to unbutton them to take 'em off, I just slide them down!! Wow!! I just can't believe it...It's crazy!! Once again, my goal for the week is to lose 2 pounds...if I lose that, I'll be fine.

The workouts have been very hard. There are two of them in particular which just kill me....one is called an "iso prone".....it's for my core, I'm in a plank position, but it's not a regular plank. its an Up and hold and down and up and hold...IT's OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! I feel it everywhere, but I know it's working. The other set is the 60 PUSHUPS!!!!!!!! My arms are on FIRE when I'm done.

I'm getting ready to prepare Christmas dinner and let me tell you, I'm pulling out all the stops. I will include healthy alternatives but I really want our guests to enjoy themselves and the food - however, it will be torture for me. Right now, in regards to Christmas Day/Dinner, I'm contemplating a few things:

1. Should I just stay true to my journey don't stray at all? ( I know this would be ideal but is ist realistic? Is it do-able?)
2. Should I eat really well the entire day and just endulge with a glass or two of wine?
3. Should I eat really well the entire day and endulge with dessert (s)?
4. Should I eat really well the entire day and endulge with both wine and desserts???
5. Should I JUST SAY SCREW IT FOR ONE DAY AND GO WILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I do #5, how badly will it affect me/set me back!! Will one day really be that bad??? I don't know what to do...my goodness. I think I'll decide right then and there, right in the moment!!! How much will I regret it??? Why should I regret it??

If I stick to # 1, will I regret it?? Am I missing out on enjoying this moment to the fullest??

I'm so torn...HELP!! I really don't know what to do!!

I will post weigh -in numbers in the morning!

Yummy, Toothpaste..??..

I truly can't get over how quickly time is passing by. Another weekend is upon me!! Wow!! I had a great week! I know that some of my strength comes from all the support and encouragement I've received from all of my friends, family and new friends that I'm making as I go through this journey. Thanks for that!!

Okay, so last night was tough. Friday night, after I put the baby down, I was just sitting unwinding...in the past (not that long ago), this is when I would have a nice glass of wine or a cold Heineken and/or something sweet and yummy!! I just couldn't get it off my mind. To make things worse, I was going through the stack of weekly retail flyers. Seeing that Christmas is around the corner, all the flyers look amazing (food wise, I mean). You would not believe how long I stared at the dessert section of the M&M Foods flyer!! It was nuts!! All the chocolates and cheescakes and squares..it was crazy. If I had anything sweet in the kitchen last night, I'm not sure I would have been able to resist, actually I KNOW I wouldn't be able to resist. That's why it's so important to get all the bad stuff out of the house!!

Anyway, it got so bad (the cravings) that the only thing I could think of is to go brush my teeth, AGAIN!!!!!!! That toothpaste tasted soooooooo good!! LOL!! Who would have thought that I'd be looking to Colgate and Crest for that sweet satisfaction. Well, at least my teeth will be fabulous!! :)) Anyway, I decided that my best bet at that point would be to chug a glass of water and go to bed...which I did!!

Well, today is a new day, I'm off to do my cardio. I've got a busy weekend ahead, with cleaning, last minute shopping, wrapping and getting ready for Christmas. I'm doing Christmas dinner this year and our family starts arriving next week!! That's my biggest worry, Christmas dinner!!! I'll probably need a month's supply of Colgate total for that night!!! ;) I plan to speak to my trainer to see if I could cheat a little. Personally, I don't think I could nor do I think I should but I just need to hear it lol!! Oh it's going to be hard, but since I'm cooking, I will be able to make something suitable for myself without affecting the others. I HOPE!!!

Have a great weekend guys....I'm really pushing through as I want to maintain my momentum and have a good weigh-in on Wednesday!!

8 POUNDS, It Wasn't a Dream!!!

I got up this morning to get ready for work and what do you think was the first thing I did??? Damn straight!! I got on that scale just to check if I had only dreamt of losing 8 pounds or if it actually happened!!! Well, IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED!! I DID LOSE 8 POUNDS!! WOW!!

Anyway, it turns out my son is sick today, so I'm home taking care of him. He has a slight fever and has been battling a cough and cold. He's napping right now (poor little angel - I hate when he's sick), so I thought I would jump on and write something quickly. I have been on such a wonderful high since yesterday. I am just in a great place right now. It's amazing. I feel like I'm on the right path to regaining control - it's a great feeling.

So yesterday, my staff Christmas party, WOW!!!
First of all, I DID NOT CHEAT, STRAY or ANYTHING!! Not for a minute, not a chocolate, a nibble, a small taste, a shooter or anything!! I was SOOOOOOOOO GOOD, it could have been sickening!!! My colleagues (they're friends as well) on the other hand, well...hmmmm.... let's just say I would need to write a book...and I COULD because I was completely sober the entire night!!!! Oh, the things you see and hear when you're sober!! :)

Staff parties are generally fun and for me would usually include consuming huge amounts of yummy fried foods and dips, wings, fries, fruity cocktails, beer, shooters and more shooters!!!!!MMMM! How was I going to make it through this party? I didn't want to miss it, because I think it's improtant that I maintain some aspects of my social life throughout this journey. I don't want to miss out on everything just because I'm trying to make some healthy changes!! So I decided to be the Designated Driver (DD) for the night!! In all my years of partying, I don't think I've ever been the DD for anything!! It was nuts and at times made for a looooonnnng night! But honestly, looking back, I think it was the best decision I could have made. I didn't have to justify why I wasn't drinking, it was understood that I was the DD and I would be drinking solely water all night!! Also, my entire team is aware of my Journey and they encouraged and supported me (most of the night)...Overall, I had a great time, lots of fun, in fact I laughed until my jaw hurt!! They're a really fun group!!!

When it came to ordering food, I was able to order something healthy that fit into my plan, and I was pleasantly surprised at how accomadating the server was with my very specific requests ( to hold this and put that on the side, and sub this with that) for my meal. It was perfect!! I took a glance at the "starters" section of the menu, and thought about it for a minute, but then thought better of it and moved on. Plus our manager had pre-ordered a HUGE platter of starters which was shared amongst the team...it looked and smelled soooooooo good, especially that cheesy, spinach dip...mmmm. I didn't have any!! I coudn't believe how strong I was! I think it had a lot to do with that awesome weigh-in in the morning!! There was no way that I was going to mess that up after all that hard work!!! NO WAY I was going to throw away my 8 pounds!! I kept that "achievement" at the fore front of my mind ALL NIGHT , and it really, truly helped!! One of my friends left me a message to "keep my eye on the goal" and that is exactly what I did!!

As the night went on, it became increasingly easier for me to enjoy the night as I was priveleged to free entertainment all night!! My team is hillarious!!!!!!!!!!! I laughed so much last night and I learned SO MUCH!!It was great. I would love to provide details, but "what happens with my team, stays with my team!" ;) Yeah, that's how we roll!!

I was very happy with how last night turned out and quite pleased with how I handled the situation. I am really doing my best to embrace this new lifestyle and make it work for me!! I feel great! Anyway, I'm going to get some house work done before my son wakes up and take it easy before I do my workout!! :)

Until next time...

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Week One - Weigh-In 8 POUNDS DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Current Weight: 250 lbs (Dec 17/08)
Weight Loss: 8 lbs

Hi everyone,

First of all, please let me apologize for posting this msg so late. I was up very early today to get my cardio done and rushed out of the house early enough to make it to work. With the snow storm and bus strike, it took me 2 and 1/2 hours to get to work which normally takes 20 minutes!!!! You can imagine the frustration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had a crazy busy day today and also had my staff party right after work. I just got home around midnight!!

Anyway, today has been a fabulous day!! As busy and frustrating (the traffic) as today was, I was just on a cloud the entire day! Nothing could bring me down! I stepped on the scale this morning and to my surprise, it read 250!!!!! I was stunned!! 250 pounds!!! I lost 8 POUNDS in one week!! 8 POUNDS!!I felt fabulous!!! I can't believe it! I ran to my other scale, just to double check and it was the same, 250lbs!! Awesome!!! I'm so pumped!!8 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm very proud, happy and excited for what's to come! My hard work paid off, I'm so pleased.

I had my staff party today and it was a fun one....did I cheat or did I stay true to the cause???
I will post details on that tomorrow. It's late, I'm so tired and I really must get to bed, but I will finish this up tomorrow...

Until then, I'm signing off 8 pounds lighter!!!!! WHOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! I just wanted to post that info....

Joania