Weight Loss Journey - 4 Month Re-Cap

Four months ago I embarked on one of the toughest journey's yet, it has been frustrating and amazing at the same time.  Let's re-cap on where I started at beginning of February of this year.  And honestly, I've been struggling with my weight a lot the past decade.  I was doing zero activity/exercise and I was eating basically whatever I wanted.  And you could tell just by looking at me that I didn't care enough about myself to change.  But I decided this was the year for that change, we are done having babies and I want to love myself when I look in the mirror.  Every day I'm starting to love the person I see more and more.  So, here's some pics of me end of 2011.  I honestly, do not recognize myself in these pics anymore. 

NYE '11.

Christmas '11

So I started walking.  I couldn't even finish a mile my first day.  Every day I would walk, I'd push myself just a little bit further and trying to keep my pace up so I was getting in some cardio.  I now can do 4 miles in an hour.  I try to wake up around sunrise once over the weekend and do that walk, it's a great way to start the day and get ready for the next week.  
I also picked up Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, it took me a month in a half because I scheduled in some break days.  I lost 19" from the 1st day vs the 30th day on that video.  I loved that it was challenging and that my workout was done in 25 minutes.  I currently have it lent out to my sister-in-law, but when she's done I plan on doing it again.
I'm currently doing Insanity and am only just in the beginning of my 2nd week of that.  And it really is insane!  But I'm loving it.  There's nothing as great as feeling when you are finished just dripping in sweat knowing that you finished it.  
We also joined our local YMCA tonight, so looking forward to hitting the gym and incorporating some weight training with all of this cardio to help tone.  
Next thing to change has been the way I eat.  So, originally I started on Weight Watcher's online.  It gave me a great stepping stone to get started.  But gradually I stopped writing down my food and points and just started watching what I ate.  I cut out the bad carbs.  Cut back on my sweets.  Am now a water drinker.  I follow the new food plate thing, and make sure 1/2 my plate is fruits & veggies (normally it's veggies).  We've significantly cut back on red meat and have switched to lean ground turkey.  I love that the Hubs' has been completely on board with the majority of the changes I've made (granted I still bake him sweets every week and he gets his "junk" food), and together we are laying the groundwork for a good foundation of what healthy portions and the right foods to eat are, for our girls'.  I want it to be their normal.  I do not want to see them struggle as I have over the past decade.  I've really started to research clean eating and am gradually going to be switching us over to that.  The Hubs' seems a little unsure about it still, but I'm hoping he'll get on board with that too. 
Face shot comparison - 

November '11

June '12

As of this week, I hit a milestone - I'm down 50 LBS people!  I still can't believe all that I've been able to accomplish in such a short time.  I'm officially over the 1/2 way mark of my Goal and Ultimate Goal Weight.  I know there is still a long journey ahead, but every day is a new day and one step closer to reaching that end goal.  

Here's some things I'm loving since dropping the weight - that might not seem like a big deal to most people but to me they are exciting: 

- I can now sit for long periods of time with my legs crossed. 

- A regular bath towel fits completely around me, this is not something that really dawned on me until it happened and then I was so ecstatic! 

- I've dropped 3 bra sizes and 3 clothing sizes and my ring size has gone down 1.5 sizes.

- I enjoy doing more active things with my girls. 

- I actually find myself running up our stairs in the house now with a little hop.  

- We are going to Hershey Park this Sunday with the older two, and I'm not going to be terrified that I won't be able to ride the rides with my girls', like I have been the past two times we went to a theme or water park over the past 5 years.  I was miserable worrying about not fitting.

And now for my current progress pics: 

This was taken last week. 

This comparison was taken Friday 6/29.

I've had a few people ask for my secret - and really there is no "secret".  I work hard, exercising 5-6 days a week (always aim for 6), and I eat right.  There is no magical thing that you can just snap your fingers and things be changed.  I've also found tons of great motivation, inspiration, and great advice on Instagram.  See, I mentioned earlier in the week I was addicted to Instagram.  :o)  
Sorry this turned out to be rather lengthy - and thank you for reading through to the end, if I still have your attention.  :o)

DIY - Jewelry Cleaner

Courtesy of Pinterest I came across an at home way to clean my jewelry.  I was excited to find this recipe as it was all things I had on hand, and nothing harmful! 
What you'll need: - 1 Tbsp Salt- 1 Tbsp Baking Soda- 1 Tbsp Dish Soap- 1 C Water- 1 PC Aluminum Foil 
Directions: - Heat the water up in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes. - Cut a pc of foil that will cover the bottom of a bowl, like a cereal bowl. - Pour the hot water in the bowl.  Pour in the remaining ingredients.  Place in your jewelry - let it stand for 5-10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and wipe off with a soft cloth.  Discard solution after each use. 
This has worked great with all of my jewelry - have even used it on some of my great grandmother's pieces that have been handed down to me.  I also use a soft toothbrush to scrub the stones on some of my pieces.  

Here's a picture of the aluminum foil after a cleaning - see that the darkness on the foil?  That's all of the junk it got off my jewelry. 

 

I'm BACK!

Hello Everyone - 
Wow - I've missed you all and blogging everything down.  Thanks to the few of you who checked in with me, it was much appreciated!  Here's what we've been up to. 
In April we got Littlest Miss baptized.  It was a beautiful day with our families and friends who came out to support this journey for her.  And I should mention that the week before it - the whole family got hit with a very very nasty flu bug, that's why Miss A is in her pj's in this picture - she had to stay home.  

I participated in my 1st 5k early May.  It was for Breast Cancer, and my mom, sister, and the younger two girls' and myself walked in honor of an old co-worker of mine. 

At the end of the 5K.

Mother's Day was a wonderful weekend spending the whole weekend with both sides of our families.  Our mom's spoiled me with these goodies.

How cute is this bag from 31 Gifts?  

The 3 who have made me a Mommy!

The oldest graduated from Pre-School in May.   It was an adorable little graduation ceremony that her grandparents and great-grandparents came out to celebrate with us. 

Comparison pic - 1st & Last day of PreK.

All 3 girls, before we left for Emma's ceremony.

Our Little Graduate!

Here's a picture of the presents we made her teachers - courtesy of Pinterest.  These are definitely in my to make pile for some Christmas gifts this year, and put themed goodies in the bags for different people, they were so incredibly easy and quick to make.  Plus her teacher's LOVED them!  

Our latest celebration being Father's Day.  I'm pretty sure the Hubs had a great day with all of us.  :o) 

The blog got a little update as well.  Make sure to check out the icons over on the right, you can see what I'm pinning on Pinterest, check out my latest obsession - Instagram, or there are other ways to check into my happenings between facebook, twitter, or feel free to email me if you have any questions.