Check In

I have given myself a few rewards the past couple weeks, so I thought I would check in here and update on my progress.

I was long overdue for my size 14 reward - here it is!

I'm a redhead, kind of! ;-) I really love it! I get to cross through that line on the 30 Before 30, over there. -->  =D

I also had a pair of these fall into my lap, for FREE, in the same week that I fit into a couple pair of size 12 jeans! Fate? I believe so.

They really make Zumba classes a lot more enjoyable - moving is easier.  I was doing Zumba in socks, so it is  a big improvement!

Here is a full-body picture that I posted on my Instagram this week - it is the first full-body I have taken since I started this whole blog thing. I'm SirtenlyJess on Instagram, if any of you want to be buddies over there!

I am weighing in between 175 - 177 pounds (depending on if it is morning or evening), which puts me around a 28.5 bmi, size 12/14, and 60 pounds total loss.

I always told myself I would be happy at exactly where I am now - under 180 and a size 12/14.  I almost decided to stop here and maintain, but where's the fun in all that? ;-)

Next on the list is to get my bmi under 25, which means I need to be around 150 pounds.  Doable, I believe.

Stats!

Tonight was an official weigh-in night at the gym! We took our weight, body fat % and bmi.

Here goes:

183 pounds
33.1 bf%
29.1 bmi

SO, I have lost 7 pounds since the beginning of the challenge (52 total pounds since I started last year), 1.7% body fat, and my bmi has dropped 2 points (9 points since I started last year).

Let me tell you, a big goal of mine was to get my bmi under 30 and out of the 'obese' range, so tonight was a very happy night! Next goal is to get under 25 and out of the 'overweight' category.

The past couple months have been slow, yet steady.  I guess that saying is true!

Those size 12 jeans are calling my name - I hope it happens soon!

<3

 

Healthy?

Once again, all of you that support me on Facebook have inspired me to write about something that I never, ever, I repeat, EVER thought I would talk about again - especially in an open forum such as this.  So, I am going to do this very carefully. =)

I have seen so many posts lately about people wanting to loose weight and get fit - it is so inspiring! However, I have also seen so many posts lately about people who are doing this in such an unhealthy way.  

The 'thinspiration' boards on Pinterest are sometimes really disturbing. Woah. 

I am in no way shape form or fashion an expert on weight loss or exercise, but I do know unhealthy when I see it.  

I see diet pills.  I see eating disorders.  I see self-hatred. 

Believe me, guys, I've been there.  I KNOW how hard it is to not give in to those unhealthy things because they seem like the 'easy way'.  I know how badly you want to be 'skinny' and 'normal'.  

I know what compulsive over-eating is.  I know what emotional eating is.  I know what bulimia is.  I have been there - I never want to go back, and I never want to see any of you go there.  It is a painful, horrible roller-coaster of a life.  It hurts your body, your mind, your emotional health, your relationships - it ruins you. It is not worth it.  

My relationship with food is a very, VERY, special balance - it has taken me a long time to get here.  Nothing changes over night. 

Exercise forces your to respect your body and what it can do.  Exercise shows you what you are capable of. If you want to love yourself through this process, you MUST exercise.  I used to think I didn't have to.  I was wrong. 

So, to answer many questions: No, I do not take diet pills.  No, I do not go hungry.  No, I do not have the issues I had 6 years ago. Yes, I work my ass off. 

Be okay with slow and steady.  Listen to your body.  Embrace yourself.  Most importantly, be HAPPY! 

I am now stepping down from my pulpit. 

I love you guys. <3

The Scale

I am no longer going to weigh myself.

In the past week, I have had 5 different scales tell me 5 different weights. Here they are:

The "doctor scale" at the gym: 199
The fancy digital scale: 198
Wii Fit Scale: 194
My bathroom scale: 192.5
Old-school gym scale 1st time: 186
Old-school gym scale 2nd time: 190

As you might understand, I am beyond frustrated.  I have gone down one jeans size in the past month, lost 1.5 inches from my waist, lost my double-chin, gained a little bit of a visible muscle in my arm and thigh, have a flatter stomach, and I feel fantastic.  Those things are what matter! Getting upset and confused over my weight on a scale is just not  healthy for me.

Feeling like I have been working so hard for no weight loss is a baaaaad feeling, but I HAVE LOST where it matters most - smaller clothes, smaller measurements! Those count.

I had a minor pity-party last night, but that is over.  Thank you to my mom, my dad, my husband, and my sister for encouraging me - I needed it. =) <3

From now on, I am going to judge my weight-loss in clothing sizes and measurements.  I will weigh in for the challenge I am doing at the gym, when I am required to. =)

I also edited my previous post on goals/rewards to reflect these changes.  My goals are no longer based upon my weight - they are based upon physical measurements and pants sizes.

Goals and Rewards

I saw this on my friend Whitney's blog, The Land of Sunshine, and I thought it was a super great idea - so I am unashamedly copy-catting her!

These are all rewards that I know I can have and that I will not feel guilty for purchasing.  I did not choose things that are past the realm of possibility.  These are meant to motivate me!

** This post was edited on 1/14/12 to reflect the goals as sizes or non-scale goals. =)

REWARDS: 

Size 14:  This haircut (and maaaybe reddish color)

Size 12: Zumba Shoes!

36DD bra size: 30 minute massage

Size 10: new bathing suit

Size 8:

All the NEW summer clothes I am going to need! WOOT!

Let's hope these goals/rewards will help keep me motivated - 46 more pounds to go until I am at goal! =)

Green Monster Recipe

First of all, I want to tell each of you that read this blog THANK YOU! I have had so much incredible support and inspiration from you lately - you should know I love and appreciate each and every Facebook comment and question.

I have recently been giving out these recipes a lot on Facebook, so I thought I would post them here for you guys! This way, you have them to look back on, and I have them to point people to. =)

Original Green Monster (Jessica Style)
Recipe originated from Linda Wagner, here
This recipe rings in at around 217 calories, according to My Fitness Pal. 
- I am listing these ingredients in the order I put them into my blender

1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 cup (large handful) Organic Baby Spinach
1 cup Frozen Yellow Fruit (I use the Wal-Mart brand blend of peaches, pineapple, mango, and strawberries)
1 small to medium Banana
Water to blend (my blender needs about half a cup)

I use this blender

Click here to buy

 It is WAY better than any bigger blender I have bought, and it is the perfect size for me. =)

The other smoothie I am becoming addicted to is an oatmeal smoothie.  It is a spin-off of the Green Monster, and I have found that it keeps me full for hours and gives me a huge energy boost!

Oatmeal Berry Smoothie
This recipe rings in at around 246 calories, according to My Fitness Pal. 
- I am listing these ingredients in the order I put them into my blender

1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 cup (large handful) Organic Baby Spinach
1 cup Frozen Raspberries or Strawberries
1/4 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, raw
1/4 cup Low-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
Drizzle (about a tsp.) of Agave Nectar
Good shake of Cinnamon (about half a tsp.)
Water to blend (my blender needs about half a cup)

This smoothie is ugly.  It is not the beautiful green color of the Green Monster ... it is more of a pinkish brown color, but I don't mind because it is super yummy and nutritious.

These smoothies have transformed my body.  My hair, nails, skin, digestion, everything basically, is better.  I have one EVERY day, and if, for some reason, I miss it, I can seriously tell that my body is not as happy. Either smoothie is a good meal replacement, snack, or quick breakfast.  I swear by them, and I am pretty sure I will for many years to come!

I'm a Slacker

Well, not in the real world - just the blog world.  I have been so extremely busy lately that I just forgot about this little blog! Honest. So, I figured I would catch you guys up on everything weight-loss related.

The last time I updated, I was elated about hitting the 190 mark.  Since then, I gained about 3 pounds over Christmas, but lost it back after Christmas.

This picture is me, Josh, and my best friend, Katie about 2 days before Christmas.  I was about 190 here.  This was a "goal dress" from college that I was super excited to be able to wear again!

I weighed in on Friday morning at 188.

About two weeks ago, I finally got over my dressing room fear and went shopping for jeans.  I bought 2 pairs of size 14 at Old Navy, and a few size large tops. I haven't worn a size 14 since my freshman year in college, ahem, errrr ... 7 years ago.

It's kinda weird though, because, when I am in the store, I automatically go to the size 16/18 pants and XL/XXL tops.  I even pick them up and take them to the dressing room because I just know the smaller sizes won't fit me.  It has taken my mother giving me a stern talking to about my "new" body to make me buy smaller clothes.  I always thought that I would be so happy to buy smaller sizes, but it really is an adjustment.  I am so used to being bigger that I don't really know how to dress my body anymore. I guess these things take time. It is kind of amazing the change that good-fitting clothes have on a body, though.  I can actually tell I'm smaller in my new jeans.  Thanks, Mom, for that! <3

I still avoid all mirrors at the gym - I stand in the same place during Zumba class, every time, because I can't see myself in the mirror from my spot (I know, I'm a little weird).  The mirrors everywhere freak me out - why do they do that? ;-)

My routine lately consists of Zumba 4-5 times a week, and I am adding in strength training.  I had my first real personal training session on Friday morning, and I have 4 more to go - I am SO excited to see how this effects my weight loss.  I actually enjoyed my session a lot - it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  I felt really accomplished and strong when I finished.  I may learn to enjoy it, eventually.

I am starting to really be able to tell a difference in my fitness levels - Zumba doesn't kill me, I can carry Paul up and down the stairs multiple times before my legs burn or I get out of breath, I can run a little bit, and I just have more energy all the way around.  I just feel so much better!

Never, ever.

I am going to do better about updating here.  Promise. <3