FOUR MONTH ANNIVERSARY PICS!!!!!!

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay with the pics - busy weekend! Anyway, I've included my start pics for comparison...day 1 to now. I also threw in a couple shots to show a pair of my pants and how they fit (or don't fit) :))) HERE WE GO.....

Front: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!!

Front: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Side: Dec 10, 2009

258 lbs!!!

Side: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Back: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!

Back: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Fun: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!!

Fun: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Here's just another "fun" shot - I'm feeling good!!

What I noticed in this month's pics:

This month, I'm starting to notice a change in my legs....they're actually starting to shrink (THANK GOODNESS!!) My new routine does incorporate a few new and difficult exercises (lunges and squats) targeting those good old thighs so I anticipate that there will be a more visible difference in next month's pics. Overall, I'm losing inches - I could tell by my clothes and although the scale says I'm down 42 POUNDS, it sure feels like a whole lot more!! I'm so pleased and can't wait for next month. I feel strong and awesome.

I decided to take a couple extra shots showing how some of my clothes are fitting or should I say, NOT FITTING!!! Yeah!!:)) When I started this journey, I wore these pants to work practically every week. They used to be a perfect fit....THESE PANTS ARE A SIZE 22!!!

I can "ALMOST" fit my body in one of the pant legs!!!

PLUS size 22!!!!!!!

The pants are now too big and too long (guess my booty used to hold it up!)

This is me in a PAIR OF SIZE 16 JEANS!!!!!!!!!!! Size 16!! I can't believe I fit into them. I didn't even have to do that wiggle dance to get it to go up!! Incredible!!

Now I know I still have a ways to go, but I really feel that I'm well on my way and I feel great about it...please let me know what you think and as always, your support is very much appreciated..it has really helped me to stay on track.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Weekly Weigh-ins will Continue!!!

I was getting a little anxious about not seeing a big loss on the scale in terms of numbers and thought that maybe I should change the frequency of my weigh-ins. The last thing I want to do is get discouraged even though I know how well I'm doing. I made reference to this in a previous post (ToWeighorNottoWeigh) and decided to create a poll to see what you guys thought. I left it up to you to decide - majority rules. Should I weigh myself once a week, once every two weeks or once a month. First off, thank you to all who voted!

Well the voting is over and the winner is......................................................WEIGH EVERY WEEK!!

• 55% of you thought I should weigh in once a week
• 27% - every two weeks
• 18% - every month

So majority rules! I will continue to weigh and report my results every week! I feel confident after this week's amazing 3 pound loss!! Anyway, thanks again for helping out with that decision.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

To Weigh or Not To Weigh...

Hi guys,

I've just finished reading the book Breakin'Free. It's the story of one woman's quest to shed 150 pounds in 12 months with the use of a personal trainer, proper nutrition and shear determination. It's an awesome read. Very honest depiction of her struggles and SUCCESS!!! This woman is Rosy - I mentioned her in my first post. She is and remains a great source of inspiration for me. The trainer she used, is the one I'm currently using, Rob Lagana.

I encourage you to check out this book, it's a good price and a very good read and it will inspire you, trust me on that one. Check out the website (http://www.breakinfree.ca/).

Anyway, Rob wrote a pamphlet (mini book - outlines diet and exercise tips and a lot of very useful information) which accompanies this book and in it, he mentions that one should not use the scale as the main point of reference when it comes to weight loss. You should look at other indicators such as: improved fitness, body fat percentage, inches lossed and how you're feeling and how your clothes fit. The scale shouldn't be used every couple of days or even every week....I've heard this before. I know that the scale can play mind games when you're trying to lose weight. This is where I am right now.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially as I've noticed that my weight loss is always at around 1 to 2 pounds a week. I would love to see bigger numbers even though I know I'm doing well. I often find myself having to constantly re-assure myself that I'm losing weight at the perfect pace! Seeing a bigger number on this scale is an automatic motivator and some times when you don't see that number, you can't help but feeling somewhat discouraged.

So, because I've this, I've been thinking that maybe I should weigh myself EVERY TWO WEEKS instead of once a week. What do you guys think?? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. I've set up a poll asking those questions...majority will rule...if you have a minute, please complete the poll on the right..THANKS!!

That's it for now...thanks!

Joania (2000 MINE!!!)