On hold until May

Hello, been a while since I wrote about my progress... turns out I'm pregnant - so any weight loss will have to be on hold for now. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop working out though - just in a different way. I've got yoga for pregnancy and walking is definitely good. So there may not be many updates for a while. Funny thing is that I lost weight after becoming pregnant... as low as 183 but seeing I'm in my fourth month I've gained since then. My due date is May 15th... so I'll see you then!

Em

Beat the Heat

I started walking 3 miles at 6am almost every day (gotta get up before the sun in the summer!) ... I just wasn't really seeing any results - I'm thinking of adding weight lifting to tone up and strengthen. We'll see what happens...

~Em
187

Seeing results

Well, after being stuck at 189-190 for a while now I think taking Karate class with my son and walking for 2 miles every morning is starting to pay off. I've lost 2 lbs.!!! Sorta thought it odd that as soon as I got a good habit of walking that I started gaining weight but now I feel better. No matter what I want to keep it up because its a nice way to have my alone time - get some fresh air and listen to/look at nature.
I've thought about having a walking partner but if we aren't the same fitness level it wouldn't work out so well I think. I dunno.

~Em
weight: 188

2 miles

I started walking 2 miles every morning (not including Sundays)... it feels really good to get out there and stretch - I feel like I have more energy and I sleep better (unless my allergies are really bad). So far I haven't seen any weight loss - other than 1 lb. I've been trying to drink more water too... I guess I'll just have to stick with it - results or not. Its a great me time activity. My husband watches the kids while I go first thing in the morning.

2 miles takes me a little more than half an hour to walk (1 mile about 15 mins. and 3 miles about an hour) I like 2 miles though, right now its not too little and doesn't feel like too much.

~Em
weight 189

rain or shine - walk walk walk

So I was watching a clip from Opra - something I never do... and there was this lady talking about how we should look at food. She said we should eat when we are hungry - so many people eat from boredom (me!) or from other issues in their lives. We also need to eat what our bodies want - that means eat the things that our bodies would naturally crave ... fruits, vegis, whole grains, water.
There were a few other things but what really got me thinking is that I tend to eat when I'm bored and not when I'm hungry. I also need to exercise more.

My husband mentioned that on my list of "to do's" that I write each day - under the essential items I should list "walk" for 30 mins or 2 miles ... I guess right there it hit me - I never thought of exercise as something I should make essential, like feeding the kids! So for the last few days I've walked everyday. I'm also trying to drink lots and lots more water.

Once Monday rolls around the kids should be well enough (no more chicken pox) that we'll be back to Karate as well... I'm feeling really motivated and good.

~Em
weight: 187
waist: 37 1/2

Rain rain - everyday

Between moving and having a baby with the Chicken Pox I haven't had time for the blog... good thing moving boxes is a good workout. My house is just about unpacked and my baby is feeling much better - I've been wanting to get out and go for some long walks (I live "out in the country" now) but unfortunately its been raining for the last 4 days! Don't get me wrong I LOVE the rain but its hard to go for walks in it with a 5 year old and an almost 1 year old.
I did work out on my bow-flex this morning though and even though it wasn't too aerobic my arms feel like they've gotten a work-out. Strength training is important too right?

~Em
Weight: 188
Waist: 37 1/2

I got younger!

So, I've been doing the Realage.com program - it said my age was 31.2 and now after getting more regular exercise in I re-evaluated my results and my age is now 29.7 - yeay for me! Now I just need to drop some weight and whittle down my waist... speaking of my waist, I measured it and it was 38 inches - so I've lost an inch... how does one get rid of the lower belly fat? I think that'll be my tough spot...

I've calculated that I've walked about 4 1/2 hours worth (maybe more) since Thursday. Course when you are moving it keeps you very busy... lifting boxes and pulling/pushing furniture... I'm a bit sore.

~Em
189
38 "

Karate Class

What a great day! It was so warm outside. I took the kids for a nice walk and then later we went to karate class. Class was awesome tonight. We went over blocks and punches, practiced "poison hands" and I learned something new - forgot what it was called - but I felt really good about my growing abilities... its nice to know that I'm getting better.

I just read that if you walk 10,000 steps a day you could loose about 35 lbs in a year - wow! Combine that with aerobics and healthy eating - imagine the possibilities!

~Em
Weight:186 - Waist:38 1/2

Slip-ups happen

So, major slip up... haven't worked out for about two weeks... and I've gained weight. The doctors on realage.com with the YOU on a diet program say to tell yourself this three times:
"At the next available moment, make an authorized YOU-turn"
Slip-ups happen.
Doesn't help that we have to move because our landlords decided to move back in... guess I got a little stressed out. Now that packing is underway and we've found a place to move to I'm feeling more motivated. I took the kids for a walk and play in the park today - it was refreshing!
Here's looking forward to a new week with new possibilities!

~Em
189?
Waist ~39 in. never found my tape measure but was given one by my mom-in-law

I haven't forgotten you. Just been very busy. Trying to find time to exerise in any form is a challenge in itself. Went jogging/quick walking this morning with my friends Gina and Judy. I am tried. I prefer biking but I need some other areas to work off as well. Gina told us we did about 4 miles. Wow! At least for me. No wonder I am so tired. :)
Will see about tomorrow. I will probably be hurting. Biking still is much more exciting for me.

Why kill birds with stones?

Alright. So, its tough keeping on track when you feel you're doing this alone! Hello my work out buddies!?!
Today was the first day I worked out this week... I did a 20 min. strength training video - my arms and stomach sure feel it. I'm really going to try and unload my trailer into my garage today and kill two birds with one stone. Unfortunately I'll miss both Karate classes this week... we went to Walmart on Monday (closest one is 45+ min.s away - welcome to WY!) and I'll be at the R.S. birthday celebration on Thursday so... my Sifu said that this Saturday is a tournament - I don't know enough to compete but I could help out keeping score (I still don't know enough to do that but he says he needs the help) so we'll see...
I think I've gained weight... (Darn Ice Cream!) though I also haven't been drinking enough water these last few days... gotta get back on track! The weather is warming up and was a wonderful 70 deg.s yesterday! I'm gonna take advantage of that.

~Em
weight:186

End of week results

So this last week I walked 150 mins! (Thanks to my Karate class - which I count as 45 mins worth - quite a good work out. Punching and kicking sure makes you sore the next day) Last week I walked 120 mins.
So far I don't see any weight loss from my scale (stupid scale) and I don't know if I've lost any inches - or millimeters... since I have yet to find my tape measure! (Darn thing... ) but I'm in the process of organizing my garage so I can empty my trailer (to sell it - hey anyone want a trailer you could fit a car or some big "toys" in? only $10,000... ok how about $9,000 ?)
Anyhow, that'll be a workout in its self...
Where was I, oh ya, I'll find my tape measure in the trailer...
So, keep walking and do a lot of punching and kicking - eat healthy and keep it up! We are going to loose this weight and keep it off!

~Em
185? didn't weigh myself this morning.

Grow what you eat

Since I've been working out, I've noticed that I'll try and find ways to do more throughout the day. Vacuum more, dance while doing house work, take the kids for a walk/ to the park, rake leaves. I've also noticed that I try and sit up taller/straighter.

I still have some fierce cravings for 'not so good for me' snacks but overall I try and look for healthy alternatives. I even count out 'serving sizes' of wheat thins etc. Mindless munching happens when you grab the box or bag of whatever it is and sit down with it in front of the T.V. or computer.

I need to change my food buying habits- we need to eat things that are as close to nature as possible - if there is a long list of ingredients then its not as good for you. Wish there was better produce available in the great state of WY. As soon as it stops snowing we are going to have a garden. My husband wants to build a green-house so we can have produce year-round. It'll save us money and help us eat healthier.

~Em
Weight:185

Healthy snacking

Alright! Good deal. We are going to keep on track!
My family joined a Karate class that meets twice a week. There will be a few times each month it'll be just myself and my 5 year-old (due to hubbies schedule). This last class was great fun and I am still a little sore just a few days later. Even though I'm sore I still did my 30 mins of walking this morning and I feel great!
Monday I walked 30, Wed 15, Thursday 45 and Sat 30. So this week was pretty successful. I should try and walk everyday (I know!). I figure I'm doing more now than I was before so that's good and as I get better I'll do better!

For 2-3 pm munchies I've found that a handful of nuts (almonds are my fav.) and a glass of water or V8. Sometimes I'll eat some fruit - whole or dried. Maybe even a slice of whole wheat bread with a little butter and an avocado (good fats and proteins help you feel fuller longer... carbs -good ones- help satisfy immediate hunger). Of course I slip every now and then and eat some cookies and other junk... thanks to my hubby for buys 20 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Yup 20. Needless to say they've been banished to the freezer. ;)

Here's looking forward to warmer weather soon.
~Em
weight: 185
Fluctuations are normal... just look at the overall picture - right?...

Hey, it worked, and the sogga continues....

Well, now that you gave me this blog, I am going to have to do something about it. At the moment, I am about 189 pounds. Lost, about 10 pounds, who knows how or when....maybe because of the move and less stress living in a trailer...and moving everything back into a house again. YES!! Today, is my Anniversary! 18 years of marriage! Wow!! Last night Mike bought us a pair of bikes. I have no excuse not to go out and bike now. I had a bike previously, but Erin kept wanting to go for a ride. (It has a baby sit still attached). So I have a friend of a friend who wants it.

I have a counter for walking, just need to find it in one of the bedroom boxes and get a new battery for it. I am being careful of what I am eating...which is very hard, since "I" love food.

Any thoughts on the 3pm starvation time of...'food, glorious, food', I got to have some!!! Let me know. I heard a lot, but haven't found anything that works yet.

Okay, know that I have motivated myself just a l i t t l e bit and along with you. This just might work.

Shelleze
I went a checked my weight......192.4
I hate fluctuations

A tough day

Today I could only work out for 15 mins. I was just too tired to do more! I don't know if it's because I was up last night 4-5 times with a sick 9 month old or if it's because I worked out at 3pm instead of 8am or if I'm due to have my monthly visitor any day now... but I am fatigued! I guess 15 mins. is better than nothing! We'll see tomorrow.

~Em
weight: 184

End of week/month results

I walked a total of 100 extra minutes this week, and a total of 305 minutes for the month. I started out at 187 lbs. and today weighed 185! I know there will be bumps in the road but so far so good.
Yesterday for a snack I grabbed a handful of almonds and a glass of V8 - it was really tasty and satisfying.

~Em
weight: 185

Beans beans my favorite fruit....

Okay so last night I slipped and ate a bowl of pasta at 9pm! But today I worked out with my wii fit for 30 mins and took the kids to the park for over an hour. I'm still on track!
I'm also making chili from scratch for dinner tonight. The beans soaked all night and are cooking right now... beans sort of stink while they cook - but chili tastes really good - so I'd have to say the benefit out weighs having your house smell funny for a day.

~Em

Gotta start somewhere

So, I decided to start this blog about my journey in becoming fit. I want to loose inches and not focus all my energy on how much I weigh. I've joined realage.com and keep track of my walking (30 mins. a day) and waist size. I've also just bought a book called "Centsible Meals" by Lorae Bowden. It tells all about how to "feed your family for less than $1.00 per person per day". Great tips. I've been trying to drink more water and eat healthier snacks as well as watch my portions. Hopefully I can get my sister in on this and a few others I've told as well. I hope to update this blog every week.

~Em
Starting weight: 187
Waist size: ~36 inches? (I need to find my tape measure to be sure)