Shrink for Good

At the Sisterhood, we've teamed up with Weight Watchers and their Lose for Good campaign! We're shrinking, and as we shrink, we're setting aside canned goods (equal to the number of pounds we've lost) to donate to our local food banks. For real! It's amazing and inspiring, and I haven't had any problems with motivation over the past two weeks. As a matter of fact, I made a very big promise to everyone at the Sisterhood that I aim to keep!

And as if that wasn't enough, we've also teamed up with EA Sports Active for their 30-Day Challenge! We're a little over a week int to the challenge, and all I can say is WOW! Who knew that working out could be so fun. Seriously. I would normally rather run over my feet with a lawn mower than workout, but I actually look forward to EAS 30-Day Challenge. Of course it helps that I'm doing it with all my sisters and brother!

Here are the fruits, or non-perishables if you will, of my labor over the past 2 weeks (that's Mia serving as my hand model-a-la-Vanna-White):



Last Week: 144.8
This Week: 143.6
Loss: 1.2#

That's 2.4 pounds gone so far, and only 7.6 more to go!! Can I do it?!!!

If you want to lose a few pounds, there's never been a better time or a better reason. Lose for Good is benefiting 2 amazing charities, Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger, by donating $1M, and encouraging all their members (and non-members) to donate canned goods to local food banks. Last year over 4M pounds of food was donated. WOW!!

Even if you don't need to lose a few pounds, you can still participate in Lose-a-palooza. I mean, with a name that freaking awesome, why wouldn't you want to participate?! Here's the skinny: Weight Watchers wants you to get social. Hit Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and your blog, and share the love of Lose for Good with your readers! Go here to read more about how Weight Watchers will donate a dollar every single time you mention Lose for Good on September 15th!

That is all. Well, except I really want to encourage you to grab a few cans from your pantry right now, and next time you're out, drop them off at the nearest food bank. Click here to find a food bank in your zip code. You could be making all the difference in the world to a child who's hungry.

Shrinking Days of Summer - Final Weigh-in

Today is the final weigh-in for the Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans! That's a mouthful!

I am happy to report that I've finally broken through my stagnation! I lost a total of 6.2 pounds over the last 7 weeks. Now that might not sound like much to some people, but trust me, at this point, it HUGE for me. I have a little under 13 pounds to go until I hit my goal! Every pound is so much harder at this stage, so I feel like I've had a huge victory here!

Want to know what I'm afraid of? Gaining those 6.2 pounds back while I'm at Blogher. I've already decided that I'm going to let loose and enjoy myself. I'm not going to obsess about my weight. I want to enjoy myself. Now, you might be thinking that I have the wrong mindset here. After all, this is not a diet, but a way of life. And you're right, except that sometimes it's okay to indulge. There will be times, like this, when I'm faced with an unbelievable opportunity to enjoy myself, and by gosh, I'm gonna live it up. I know what I'm getting myself into, I'm fully prepared to work extra hard to undo the damage over the next couple of weeks. It's called damage control, folks, and we'll all have to do it at some time.

I know that when I reach my goal weight, my body is not going to magically stay that number forever. I will always have to stay on top of my eating and exercise. I will always be watching that number, and the minute I see it start to creep up, I'll buckle down and make sure it doesn't spiral out of control. Because I will never, ever weigh 193 pounds again. Heck, I'll never weigh 150 pounds again. EVER.

Can I just tell you that I feel amazing? I do. So amazing. It's wonderful to put on a pair of pants from my closet and realize that they are too big. I enjoyed shopping for Blogher and realizing that I've gone down another size, and the new size is not tight!

Here are my numbers:
Challenge Start Weight: 148.8
Today's Weight: 142.6
Total Loss: 6.2 lbs.

Over and out for now, friends. I've got so much to do before my trip! If you're going to Blogher, let me know! I'd love to try and meet up with you :)

Weigh-in Wednesday

It's week 5 for the Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge over at the Sisterhood, and I'm proud to say that I'm down again. Really down. More down than I've been in the past 10 years! Woohooo!!

Challenge Start: 148.8
Last week: 145
This week: 143.6

I've lost over 5 pounds on this challenge and I'm super stoked. I feel like I've finally had a break through. I've been thinking about what I've done differently, and to be honest, I've completely quit counting points. I've been semi-tracking calories, but mostly, I've just been watching what I eat. I feel like I've finally figured out what I need to eat and what I don't need to eat. Getting in my 5 servings of fruit and vegetables everyday and making sure to keep up with my water has been key. I'm trying to get into the swing of working out everyday again, as well.

So here's to another great week of shrinking, Sisters!!

p.s. WAY TO GO TEAM RED!! All of you did great this week, and I'm so proud of you!

Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge - Week 1

My friend April pretty much summed up exactly how I feel this week. I am so very close to finally reaching my goal!! The goal I set 3.5 years ago. Yes, it's been that long, and no it hasn't really taken that long. I had a baby somewhere in that span of years! I have 16 pounds to go. SIXTEEN. Less than 20!

These last few months have been so tough, though. SO TOUGH. Tough than I ever thought it would be. I've bascially yo-yo my way slowly down to where I am today. A good loss one week, a gain the next, nothing the week after that, and so on. It.is.so.frustrating that it hurts sometimes, and I've had thoughts of just giving up and staying where I am. I don't look bad, afterall. That's just not good enough, though. I want to cross the finish line, and I want to look hot. I want to feel the wonderful sense of accomplishment which comes along with reaching a goal I fought hard for. I want some fanfare, dammit!

Did I mention that over at the Sisterhood we've teamed up? Biggest Loser style? And it's on. We are competing and I'm so excited. I feel like this is just what I needed to get my butt in gear. And can you imagine the fanfar when I cross the finish line? In first place. With.......

TEAM RED?

Yeah, I said it! Go Team Red! Go Team Red! Go Team Red!

Because if I keep having losses like this, I'll reach my goal soon and hopefully help Team Red take it all!

Last week: 148.8

This week: 146

Change: -2.8

WOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Weigh-in Wednesday - Weightloss Rollercoaster

It's weigh in Day with the Sisterhood!!

I refuse to say that I'm yo-yo-ing. I am not. I am moving down slowly, but surely. I know weight loss takes time, patience, perseverance, and more patience. It is often frustrating, hard, and I occasionally suffer from a huge bout of total and complete burnout. I don't know if you noticed or not, but I didn't weigh-in last week. It was that bad. At least it felt that bad to me. I was mad at myself, and a little too embarrassed to share my results.



Let's take a look:


4/15 - 147.4


4/22 - 149.6


4/29 - 147.0



So as you can see, I slipped, fell, wallowed in complete burnout, and then I picked myself up, dusted off and tried to turn it around. I honestly think that gain was alot of water retention because I ate crazy things like fried chicken (gasp, and on the day before weigh in!) and Mexican food. Lots of sodium there, Sisters.



The point I'm trying to make is that all of us are going to have those weeks. The weeks when we eat like crap because we're burned out. The weeks where we fall off the exercise wagon because we just don't feel like doing another squat, lunge, or push up. The weeks when we just want a break. And that's okay, as long as you realize that each day is a brand new day, a day to start fresh, to not wallow in self-pity, to realize that you can go on. Live and learn, girls. Live and learn and then get back on the wagon and recommit yourself. You must!!



Weightloss is a roller coaster. You are not going to have a loss every sinlge week. Heck, some weeks you'll probably gain. That is okay because over the long run, you'll go down, down, down (just with a few little hills in the middle!).



Here's is my Weight Watchers weight tracker - it highlights perfectly what I'm talking about. As you can see, I've come down alot. But look in the middle at all of those weeks when I went up a little (well except for that week it went way up, just ignore that one, I'm pretty sure my scale was on crack that week).

And yeah, my first name is Virginia, just in case you noticed :)

So here's to a new week. A fresh start.

And yes, I'm still Shredding. Everyday but 2 so far. I'm on Level 3 Day 3 today and I've never, ever felt better. NEVER!

Weigh-In with the Sisterhood

Week 3 has come to a close on the Shrink Into Summer Challenge!

Start weight for the Challenge: 146.4

Last week's: 148.6

This week's: 147.4

Loss: 1.2#

So yeah, I'm officially up one pound since the start of the challenge, which sucks. Not sure what happened that one crazy week, but I'm slowly working my way back down. I'm super pleased with my loss this week and I felt like it was hard earned! I mean, Jillian Michaels is kicking my ass every single day. Really kicking it. The good news is I'm enjoying it! Almost too much.

This is the first time I've ever been committed to exercise. EVER. Sure, I've walked and even joined a gym once about 15 years ago, but I've never, ever stuck with anything, and certainly not for 10 days in a row. It's basically a miracle. There are two reasons I've stuck with it this time.

1. It's a group effort. All of us Shredding Sisters are doing it together. When I woke up on day 2 and could hardly move my arms, I wasn't the only one! I found comfort in the fact that so many Sisters across the country were also unable to lift their arms above their waists. As we approaced the Day 2 workout, we were all dying together. And you know what? We all made it through together and now look where we are!


2. I felt like I could see (or at least feel) results almost immediately. Maybe it was all in my head on Day 2, or maybe I put my contacts in the wrong eyes because I couldn't move my arms, who knows. I felt stronger (and sore as an em effer), and that kept me going.

Each and every day has been a little easier, but I'm still a little sore. And today, on Day 10, I can see a difference. My husband can see a difference. My friends, too. And that, my dear Sisters, is all the motivation I need to keep going!

So I will start off this new week with a bang! I will continue to track and eat all of my WW points, I will Shred every.single.day without fail. Heck, I might even start trying to walk everyday, or maybe do some Wii Fit. Yes, I'm feeling that motivated! I am on my way down and I might not reach my 10 (now 11#) pound goal for this challenge, but I will, without a doubt, be healthier, stronger, and thinner this summer. That is exciting for me!

Weighing In with the Sisterhood

Week 2 of the Shrink Into Summer Challenge with the Sisterhood!

It's Wednesday, oh yes it is. And this morning, I did the log roll out of bed and struggled to move my arms up high enough to get my contacts in so I could read the number on the scale. I should have just left the damn things out because I could have saved myself the pain of lifting my arms above my waist. The number went down, but not enough for me!! But you know what, it went down!! After my girls weekend I just posted about. I drank, I ate (with some caution), and I drank some more. Shopped too, but that doesn't add calories, unless you count that Starbucks I picked up at Target. But I digress!!

This week I started Shredding with the Sisterhood, and sweet Jesus I see why they call it shredding. I feel like every single one of my muscles is shredded. Day one left me feeling completely inept and dreading the next 29 days. Day 2 came around and I was so sore I couldn't move my arms at all. Today is Day 3 and dare I venture to say that I'm not quite as sore? My arms still feel like they're going to fall off at any moment (and to be honest, it wouldn't hurt my feelings), but I feel better. And the energy? Oh yeah, I have so much energy it's freaking INSANE. I haven't felt this energetic in YEARS. It's totally worth the pain and getting stuck sitting on the toilet yesterday. Totally.

So on to the numbers.

Last week: 149.2 (STUPID)

This week: 148.6

Loss: .6#

I'll take it. But it better be alot more next week. That's all I'm sayin'

Head on over the Sisterhood and see how everyone else is doing! If you don't get anything else, you'll get a laugh at all of us whining about how much our arms hurt! And maybe, just maybe, you'll be tempted to hang out and shred with us. I pretty much dare you!

Shrink Into Summer with Sisterhood!

Today marks the start of our most exciting challenge yet over at the Sisterhood! I can honestly say I've never been so excited to start a challenge. It doesn't hurt that I had an awesome loss this week! AWESOME!!!

Last week: 148.8

This week: 146.4

Loss: 2.4

YES!

It seems after stagnating for the past couple of weeks, I finally did something right and kicked my weight loss back into gear. I think that something is called, ahem, excercise. Yeah, I started exercising, but not in a going-to-the-gym-and-getting-sweaty kind of way. Nope, I laced up my shoes and hit the dirt road and started walking. And I got the Wii-Fit board out and blew the dust off and started getting busy with it. I'm officially the hula hoop master in my house!

So stop by the Sisterhood and help all of us bid farewell to our current weight. The new challenge is going to be non-stop fun with lots of prizes and giveaways!!

I guess I need to set a goal for this challenge, huh? Well, it's 8 weeks long, so I'm going to set my sites on a 10 pound loss.

Weigh-in Wednesday

Today is the final weigh-in for the Kiss Me, I'm Shrinking challenge over at the Sisterhood!

Over the past week, I've traveled to Austin to visit Lisa and come home to house guests. It's been non-stop busy. With that being said, I'm disappointed that I'm not logging a loss this week because I wanted a strong finish to this challenge, but I'm also glad I didn't gain.

Challenge start weight: 150.2

Todays weight: 148.8

Loss for the Challenge: 1.4

My goal was to lose 3 pounds and obviously I didn't make it. I would love to wax poetic about maintaining or goals or whatever, but I'm sick with a head cold right now and there's nothing I'd rather do than take a nap!

Thanks for stopping by! Please head over to the Sisterhood and give some support to all of our shrinkers!

AND, we're also having a super-awesome giveaway at the Sisterhood, too! Hurry, because it ends tomorrow!

Wednesday Weigh-In - HELLO 140s!!!

It's week 5 of the Looking Fine for Valentine's challenge over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. Week 5 seems to be the week for me ;)

Challenge Start Weight: 155.8

Last Week: 152.2

This Week: 149.6 WOOOHOOOOOO!

I did it! I finally slid into the 140s! Barely, but I did it!! I think I'll be on cloud 9 all day today :) I haven't seen this weight in ages. Well, I did weigh 149.8 for like 20 minutes before I found out I was pregnant with Mia, but before that? I can't even remember. It's been at least 8 years. I am so excited and so motivated to keep going!!!!! Apparently counting and logging all my points did the trick.

I can honestly say I don't think I'd be here without all of the support I get from my fellow Sisters. Thank you so much!! Keep up the good work, all of you.

Wednesday Weigh-In

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's weigh-in day, blah blah blah. Ugh.

So I gained 1.2 pounds. And it sucks. And I'm disappointed, but that's okay! There are still 2 weeks left in the challenge and my new goal is to get into the 140s by then. Yes it is!!

Last week: 151

This week: 152.2

This week I'm actually going to log all my points into Weight Watchers online. Oh, yes I am. I've been a total and complete slacker, so I have no one to blame but myself for my gain. I thought I was doing a good job of keeping track of points in my head, and honestly I felt like I had a really good week. Good eating, more activity, lots of water, etc. But I miscalculated, or really, didn't calculate, so I gained. And that's that.

Goals:

Get into the 140s by the end of the Challenge

Log every last point into WW online. EVERY.ONE.OF.THEM.

I hope you had a fabulous week. And if you didn't, it's okay, just try harder next time, okay! ;)

If you haven't checked out the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans yet, what are you waiting for? Seriously. Get over there now.

Also, this week 2 of my very dear friends suffered unimaginable losses. Please go and give them support.

You can also follow the Sisterhood on Twitter: @shrinkingjeans

You can follow me on Twitter: @reallifeadv

Wednesday Weigh-In

155.8 - challenge start

154 - last week

151 - this week!!

4.8 for the challenge and 3 pounds this week! I FINALLY get one of those excellent 5# buttons (which I made by the way, so it's about time!) for my blog. WOOOHOOOOOOO!

I was talking to my husband last night, who's also trying to lose a few pounds, and reminiscing about our weekend eating. This past weekend we did really well. We ate Subway for dinner one night and then had lunch out on Sunday. But instead of a heavy lunch, we had soup and salad and sandwiches. It was good and better for us. And it feels good to look back and say, "hey, we went out to eat and controlled ourselves!"

The week ahead is looking good. My friend and fellow Sister, Amanda is coming with another friend and all 4 of their boys to visit Monday-Wednesday. We'll no doubt spend alot of time outside walking and playing with all those boys. And I'm sure we'll have some healthy choices on the menu!

So that's it for now!

Wednesday Weigh-In

It's weigh-in Wednesday over at the Sisterhood! I'm proud to say that I'm down this week! Woohooo!

Last Wednesday: 158.4

Challenge Start (last Thurs.): 155.8

Today: 154

So I'm down 4.4 since last Wednesday and 1.8 for the Challenge! Those are good numbers for me, y'all!

I'm going to face some challenges over the next 7 days. Today I'm leaving to go out of town! We're actually flying to Chicago (hopefully! Have you seen the weather there?) tomorrow and staying in Indiana with Beth until Monday.

Well shoot. I just watched the weather channel and it's not cute at all. Phrases like, "coldest winter in 8 years for Chicago" and "40 cancelled flights in and out of O'Hare" and "4-5 hour delays" are not exactly what I want to hear.

Please bear with me while I throw a little fit here. THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT. Going to see Beth is what I want to do and I want to do what I want to do NOW. Stupidassweather. I mean, I wanted snow, but this is a little ridiculous. Shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot. UGH.

Okay, I'm better now. But I'd better make it to Chicago tomorrow. Or else!

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans Challenge

Today is the first day of our new challenge over at the Sisterhood. Hopefully I won't completely blow this one!! Seriously, I'm hoping over the next 6 weeks I might lose, oh I don't know, 10 pounds, maybe? That would be nice.

You can follow my progress on my blog at the Sisterhood here. And if you're not following me and the Sisterhood on Twitter, you should be!

Oh! We're having our very first Sisterhood giveaway now, too.

Wednesday Weigh-In

I was really dreading today. Really dreading it. I haven't weighed-in in 3 weeks. At least officially, and I knew it wasn't going to be cute. And it wasn't.cute.at.all.

My weight today is 158.4. If you're keeping track, let me just remind you that I started the Challenge at 155.8. GASP. And 3 weeks ago I was at a svelte 152.2. SHOCK. So yeah, I did quite a bit of damage over the holidays.

I'm done beating myself up though. Seriously. I had my few moments of total shock and disbelief and anger because I'd totally blown it, but then I got over it and realized that today is a new day. I can turn it around. And I will.

My biggest struggle with this Challenge was all the traveling I did during December. I went to Houston one weekend, and then spent an entire week in Austin followed by another weekend in Houston. That's alot of eating out folks. Because that's what I do when I travel. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making excuses, but I do feel like I was a little doomed. When I was home, I was eating right. Drinking water and following the plan.

I'm really looking forward to the new year and a new me. I will lose this weight. I will lose it in a healthy way. And I will incorporate excercise into my daily life. I promise.

Shrinking with the Sisters

Today is our weekly weigh-in over at the Sisterhood! I'm proud to report that I lost 2.8 pounds! I guess that pizza I had last night wasn't complete sabotage afterall!

Our challenge this week is to come up with ways to combat all the temptations that come with this time of year. All the tasty baked treats, adult beverages and comfort foods. Just like with Thanksgiving, I plan to sample and use some strict moderation. Thea also brings up a good point. What to do with all those baked goods that inevitably make their way into our homes. I say eat one, put a few aside for the kids and husband, and regift the rest. Kinda like a cookie exchange, no? And you don't even have to bake. Wow! I'm one smart cookie ;) You could also send them to work with your husband, send them to school with your kids, give them to your neighbor (just make sure it's not the neighbor that baked them!), or just toss them!

Congrats to everyone on the Challenge for another successful week!

Shrinking Jeans Challenge

Well, we've come to the end of week 1 over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans, and I'm proud to report a .8 pound loss. Sure, it's not huge, but it's something and that's what counts.

This week I struggled with a trip out of town. A trip filled with yummy, delicious foods prepared by someone other than me! We basically ate every meal in a restaurant, and dining out is tough, especially when you don't get the chance to do it often. Once I was back home, I buckled down and managed to eek out a small loss. Let me tell you folks, I feel pretty lucky to have that loss considering all the stuff I ate. WOW!

I feel very fortunate to be part of the Sisterhood. My first time around with a successful weightloss was due in large part to the wonderful support I recieved from my friends and family. This time will no doubt be just as successful, thanks to all of the Sisters (& 1 brother!), and all of you!

Last week: 155.8

This week: 155

My goal this week is to make sure I get all of my water in daily. Another goal is to get moving. I tend to sit with my laptop all day long, and that's just not acceptable anymore. I've already stared moving more, dancing with my daughter, doing squats while holding my daughter, and running back and forth to my shed today, putting up all the Christmas bins!!

Numbers

Today has been a busy day! A busy day full of numbers.

154 - That's how much I weighed this morning. Today is the first weigh-in for the Challenge!
16 lbs. 4 oz. - That's how much Mia weighed in today at her one year check up!
28.5 in. - That's how tall she is!
4 - That's how many shots Mia had to get today.
5 minutes - That's how long it took the locksmith to get to the post office where I'd locked my keys in the truck.
$35 - That's how much it cost for him to unlock my door.
16 lbs. 14 oz. - That's how much the packaged I mailed today weighed.
$30 - That's how much it cost to send it priority mail.
10 - That's how many points I've consumed today.
154 - That's how many miles I've driven with about 30 more to go before the day's over.

So it will be interesting to see how many more numbers I encounter today. Maybe I should go and buy some Lotto tickets, huh?

Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans

I'm so excited to announce The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans blog! Beth, Crooked Eyebrow Melissa, and I have been brainstorming this idea for MONTHS. Months, I tell you. Well, we finally got fed up with our tight jeans and decided to do something about it. Something BIG! Go on over and check out our new home. It's pretty and fancy and packed full of humor and wit. Yes, weight loss can be humorous! Trust me ;)

Our first challenge starts on Monday, December 1st! Are you up for it?

Catching up

Sadly, I've fallen of the NaBloPoMo wagon. Life just got in the way. Our good friend and neighbor was involved in an accident on Thursday and things just kind of spiraled from there. We've been busy. I've been busy. Work's been crazy-busy.

I'm joining up on a new venture. It involves weightloss and blogging and friendship. There are several wonderful ladies involved, and it's sure to be a huge success!

Stop by tomorrow for a full disclosure ;)