Hello again all.
I wanted to come back and catch up with you while the kids are asleep and i have some free time.
Today
is March 20, 2012. I have been on this journey for almost 2 months now.
Since the beginning i have dropped a pant size, and lost a grand total
of 17 pounds. I cant tell you how ecstatic i am to say that i have
accomplished that in two months. Though as i sit here typing this i have
to remember that through this blog i want to fill it with honesty. I
want to be completely honest with how i have been doing and what
challenges i've met so when some of you read this, you know you are not
alone.
Like i have said in a previous post this
has been one of the hardest things i have ever had to do. I have never
been so aware of how addicted i am to food before in my life! This is a
daily battle for me. There's not a minute that goes by that i don't
think about food. I know to some people that may sound ridiculous but
that's my reality. Just like someone who smokes (another battle i need
to begin) or drinks, over time you relate food to different activities,
to your emotions, to boredom. Disconnecting food from all of those
things takes time and tons of effort. You have to remind yourself
constantly and its definitely something that doesn't happen overnight. I
feel this is a big reason why people such as myself have given up in
the past. This is hard!
Again with honesty,
for the past week i have not watched my food like i should and i haven't
been to the gym a single day. I'm not going to list out the excuses but
they started with my period and ended with the flu. I want to be the
first one to tell anyone who has met these types of roadblocks before,
just because you mess up or fall off the bandwagon doesn't mean you cant
hop right back on! Don't let this ruin all you have worked for! Use it
as a learning experience. Try to figure out what things trigger you to
fall off so you can be better prepared for them next time. One example
for me is my period. I felt like crap therefore all i wanted to do was
curl up on the couch and eat junk. I didn't want to move nor did i care.
Next time when i know its coming i will just have to work harder to
take the precautions i need to, to not see a repeat.
Tonight
its back to the gym, and weighing in today at 204, i am so close to
being under 200 i can taste it. I would like to reach that goal before
we head to NC on April 11th. I need to get back in the groove so that
when we do come home to visit i can stay strong and continue to keep it
up while we are there.
I want to sum this post up with just saying that when you meet a roadblock, don't give up
Its hard for everyone and you are not alone! Just remember how much
progress you've made and be proud of yourself! What may seem like a
mountain, is more than likely just a grain of sand!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Results!
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar
Okay , so i know i have been really bad about not posting. Shame on me. :)
We'll just blame it on the fact that i have been working my HINEY off. Which is true, and being that i have two children and a husband i dont have much free time. But i decided that it was time for an update.
It has been 22 days since i started this blog and decided to begin my journey to weight loss. I want to keep it honest and say that in this 22 days i have fallen off track a few times. This has by all means been one of the hardest things i have ever had to do. I have had days where i don't exercise, or days where i don't count my calories. There are days where all i think about is food. It seems to plague my mind especially when im not busy. Its amazing how aware you become of how bad your habits really are when your forced to count them out. I can't even imagine how many calories and grams of fat i took in daily before.
Probably about 75% of these 22 days though i have been counting my calories and working out whenever i get the chance.
When i started this journey i weighed in at 219 pounds.
I weighed myself a week later and sadly weighed 222. (your weight can fluctuate easily dont ever let a few pounds discourage you.)
Today i weigh 212 pounds. Thats right . I've lost 10 POUNDS!!
I cant believe i am 13 pounds away from being under 200!
I cant even begin to describe how amazing i feel! I got on the scale about 5 times because i couldn't believe that was right! Nothings better than seeing results! Its no miracle fast weight loss either, its about 2 & 1/2 pounds a week.
I have been working harder than i ever have with this. Counting my calories, going to the gym, walking with the kids, working out at home. I have completely changed my lifestyle and you know what? It feels good!
I feel like my body is starting to feel better all around. I have more energy and im in better moods.
I can't wait to continue and see those numbers on the scale keep dropping!
I just wanted to give an update for those who follow, i will be posting again later to talk a little more about my routines and what challenges ive met. Thank you for all who support me! I honestly couldnt do this without my friends and family and all their love and support!
Okay , so i know i have been really bad about not posting. Shame on me. :)
We'll just blame it on the fact that i have been working my HINEY off. Which is true, and being that i have two children and a husband i dont have much free time. But i decided that it was time for an update.
It has been 22 days since i started this blog and decided to begin my journey to weight loss. I want to keep it honest and say that in this 22 days i have fallen off track a few times. This has by all means been one of the hardest things i have ever had to do. I have had days where i don't exercise, or days where i don't count my calories. There are days where all i think about is food. It seems to plague my mind especially when im not busy. Its amazing how aware you become of how bad your habits really are when your forced to count them out. I can't even imagine how many calories and grams of fat i took in daily before.
Probably about 75% of these 22 days though i have been counting my calories and working out whenever i get the chance.
When i started this journey i weighed in at 219 pounds.
I weighed myself a week later and sadly weighed 222. (your weight can fluctuate easily dont ever let a few pounds discourage you.)
Today i weigh 212 pounds. Thats right . I've lost 10 POUNDS!!
I cant believe i am 13 pounds away from being under 200!
I cant even begin to describe how amazing i feel! I got on the scale about 5 times because i couldn't believe that was right! Nothings better than seeing results! Its no miracle fast weight loss either, its about 2 & 1/2 pounds a week.
I have been working harder than i ever have with this. Counting my calories, going to the gym, walking with the kids, working out at home. I have completely changed my lifestyle and you know what? It feels good!
I feel like my body is starting to feel better all around. I have more energy and im in better moods.
I can't wait to continue and see those numbers on the scale keep dropping!
I just wanted to give an update for those who follow, i will be posting again later to talk a little more about my routines and what challenges ive met. Thank you for all who support me! I honestly couldnt do this without my friends and family and all their love and support!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
My Weight in Numbers
“Success is a staircase, not a doorway.” ~Dottie Walters
Its time to talk numbers. Yeah numbers. I always hated math in school, i was always better at the practical than the critical. When your trying to lose weight, its easy to get caught up in numbers. It can feel like a constant battle with the scale. Its hard to listen to some who say "Don't worry about the numbers" or "Don't weigh yourself too often". When you are working hard you want to see results in hopes it will inspire you to continue your hard work. Well i for one hate weighing in for the fear of not seeing what i want. So this in turn brings me back to being practical. I plan to keep my expectations at a practical level. I am not going to expect a miracle weight loss, for those of you who have tried things like this you know they don't exist. I would like to set the bar at "Healthy, slow paced, life changing weight loss".
I am not a doctor or nurse, nor am i a nutritionist or weight loss expert. But in my experience with nutrition, weight loss and exercise i have learned that combining a low calorie, protein rich diet with a lifestyle fitting exercise plan is the best thing for anyone to do to achieve a healthy weight loss.
Only you can make the choice of which diet to follow, but for me i will be using the MyFitnessPal website and android app. I have already been using it and for me, it has been an easy tool to use with my crazy mom of two lifestyle. It basically applies the basic "calorie counting" concept. It gives you the amount of calories you should eat to successfully lose weight at a healthy rate.
It also helps remind you that if you don't take in enough calories to satisfy your BMR (Basic Metabolic Rate- The number of calories your body burns daily regardless, even if you stayed in bed all day) you can actually reverse weight loss be slowing down your metabolism, and sending your body into survival mode. Which in turn will cause the opposite of weight loss. Now obviously if you increase your activity, you should take in more calories than your BMR. With MyFitnessPal, when you exercise, you get to eat more, but no more than you are burning. Make since? Hope so. Here's a BMR calculator if your curious.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
So i said we would talk numbers, so here it goes.
My weight. I feel like in order to prove my success and inspire others the only thing that makes since is to share my weight, so here it goes.
I Jordan, at 23 years old weigh 219 pounds.
This is not my heaviest weight either. I am aware that everyone's weight issues are different. Some need to lose more, some people need to lose less. But for the sake of numbers lets break it down.
Here is a chart mapping where i fall according to my height and weight when it comes to obesity.
The black dot is where i am right now. Clearly in the "Obese" Range.
The red dot is where i need to be to get to an "Overweight" Range.
The green dot, which is obviously my long term goal, is where i would need to be to be at a "Normal" Range.
My first goal is to remove myself from the obese range. 170 lbs.
That means i want to lose 49 lbs.
Back to numbers.
49 pounds is a lot of weight.
If i stick to my diet and exercise plan, and lose 2 lbs a week..
I can weigh 199 lbs by April 5.
I can weigh 179 lbs by June 7.
I can weigh 169 lbs by July 5.
I can weigh 159 lbs by my sons 1st birthday.
I can weigh 147lbs by my best friend Cat's wedding in September.
And before my other best friend's wedding in October i can weigh a perfectly healthy weight of 140 lbs.
How about that for perspective?
Before the Holidays of THIS year i could be at a normal weight. How amazing would that be?
Now these are not expectations, this is inspiration.
With that in mind, On February 2, 2012. My journey begins. I plan to keep everyone posted every step of the way. With pictures, recipes, trials and tribulations. This will be my year!
Its time to talk numbers. Yeah numbers. I always hated math in school, i was always better at the practical than the critical. When your trying to lose weight, its easy to get caught up in numbers. It can feel like a constant battle with the scale. Its hard to listen to some who say "Don't worry about the numbers" or "Don't weigh yourself too often". When you are working hard you want to see results in hopes it will inspire you to continue your hard work. Well i for one hate weighing in for the fear of not seeing what i want. So this in turn brings me back to being practical. I plan to keep my expectations at a practical level. I am not going to expect a miracle weight loss, for those of you who have tried things like this you know they don't exist. I would like to set the bar at "Healthy, slow paced, life changing weight loss".
I am not a doctor or nurse, nor am i a nutritionist or weight loss expert. But in my experience with nutrition, weight loss and exercise i have learned that combining a low calorie, protein rich diet with a lifestyle fitting exercise plan is the best thing for anyone to do to achieve a healthy weight loss.
Only you can make the choice of which diet to follow, but for me i will be using the MyFitnessPal website and android app. I have already been using it and for me, it has been an easy tool to use with my crazy mom of two lifestyle. It basically applies the basic "calorie counting" concept. It gives you the amount of calories you should eat to successfully lose weight at a healthy rate.
It also helps remind you that if you don't take in enough calories to satisfy your BMR (Basic Metabolic Rate- The number of calories your body burns daily regardless, even if you stayed in bed all day) you can actually reverse weight loss be slowing down your metabolism, and sending your body into survival mode. Which in turn will cause the opposite of weight loss. Now obviously if you increase your activity, you should take in more calories than your BMR. With MyFitnessPal, when you exercise, you get to eat more, but no more than you are burning. Make since? Hope so. Here's a BMR calculator if your curious.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
So i said we would talk numbers, so here it goes.
My weight. I feel like in order to prove my success and inspire others the only thing that makes since is to share my weight, so here it goes.
I Jordan, at 23 years old weigh 219 pounds.
This is not my heaviest weight either. I am aware that everyone's weight issues are different. Some need to lose more, some people need to lose less. But for the sake of numbers lets break it down.
Here is a chart mapping where i fall according to my height and weight when it comes to obesity.
The red dot is where i need to be to get to an "Overweight" Range.
The green dot, which is obviously my long term goal, is where i would need to be to be at a "Normal" Range.
My first goal is to remove myself from the obese range. 170 lbs.
That means i want to lose 49 lbs.
Back to numbers.
49 pounds is a lot of weight.
If i stick to my diet and exercise plan, and lose 2 lbs a week..
I can weigh 199 lbs by April 5.
I can weigh 179 lbs by June 7.
I can weigh 169 lbs by July 5.
I can weigh 159 lbs by my sons 1st birthday.
I can weigh 147lbs by my best friend Cat's wedding in September.
And before my other best friend's wedding in October i can weigh a perfectly healthy weight of 140 lbs.
How about that for perspective?
Before the Holidays of THIS year i could be at a normal weight. How amazing would that be?
Now these are not expectations, this is inspiration.
With that in mind, On February 2, 2012. My journey begins. I plan to keep everyone posted every step of the way. With pictures, recipes, trials and tribulations. This will be my year!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
A Lifetime Struggle
“It’s never too late – in fiction or in life – to revise.” ~Nancy Thayer
I titled this post "A Lifetime Struggle". The reason behind that is that for me, weight loss has truly been a struggle since i can remember. As a young child, when i was fairly active, i assume i was among the "average" size. I would go through "huskier" stages but what child doesn't? The time that i truly remember my weight becoming a problem was in the 6th grade. Middle school, which is in my opinion the most emotional three years of a child's life. The point between you are who they tell you, and you know who you are. When you are exploring your sexuality, hormones are running wild, and other kids start to get mean. It is when i believe i became aware of others, their looks and opinions. When i started to notice that i couldn't quite wear the clothes other girls could. The boys didn't give me the same attention that they did other girls. One memory that sticks out in my mind; I had a crush on a boy in my homeroom class. I had a friend ask if he would "go out" with me. He said no and she asked him why. He said "Because she's fat." I had never thought of myself as "fat" before. As a matter of fact i had really never heard someone call another person fat before. Just like that, a lifetime of comparing myself to others had begun. I came home that day and looked at myself in the mirror. I stared at myself until i was convinced, he was right.
And there i was. Barely 13 years old and walking around embarrassed of myself. Self conscious of every move i made. Hiding my flaws with baggy t-shirts and sweatshirts. Not concentrating on school or just being myself. Constantly trying to keep up with the crowd. Spending morning after morning crying, clothes spread all over the floor, cause i didn't feel good in anything. Just like that, it became about how much money my parents didn't have. How they couldn't afford Abercrombie and Hollister, nor could i really fit into them. Who i was friends with, who i wasn't friends with. People would make fun of me, i would make fun of others. Girls would throw condom wrappers at my head in class making fun of the fact that i had never had sex before. They would tell me nobody likes me because im fat or ugly. Feeling alone, trying to find a group to fit in with.
Then finally meeting friends you can relate to, friends that don't judge you or make you feel different. A few of those friends i am still friends with today. It breaks my heart that this is what its become. When kids get so mean? Thinking about my own daughter going through anything similar, brings tears to my eyes. I pray that i can give her the strength, guidance and values that will help to spare her of this emotional torture.
Now the transition to High school. Where its not quite as bad. You figure out who your friends are and you stick with them. Where i still got made fun of, but quickly got to the point where i could shrug it off. I learned to walk around with a smile on my face even though i was hurting inside. I continued to wear baggy t-shirts to hide my stomach. I continued to be self conscious of everything about me. I remember people "moo-ing" at me as i walked through the breezeways. Though it would hurt my feelings, i brushed it off. I was quiet and reserved, and for those of you that know me that is NOT who i am. My parents were getting divorced, so home life was nothing less than disheveled. I didn't have a boyfriend. I didn't think any guy would like me much less love me so i didn't even bother. I daydreamed of famous band members and actors. I had various crushes but would adore them from a distance. I continued to eat with bad habits, and exercise was non-existent. Eating seemed to be a comfort for me. The one thing that i had absolute control over. Something no one could take away from me.
Looking back now, from the perspective of an adult and a mother i can't believe i let that stuff bother me. I cant believe i let others control who i was. If i had gone into school everyday and shown everyone who i really am, concentrated on what i was at school to do, my how things would've been different. Hind sight is twenty twenty right? Now after two children, my body, mind and ideals have changed dramatically. It is no longer about being skinny or what most people think looks "good". Its no longer about me myself and i. Now i feel i have to make a LIFESTYLE change. Not only for me, but for my children. I want to set good examples for them. I want them to grow up accustomed to a healthy lifestyle as well. In hopes of sparing them the struggles with weight i have encountered over the years. I am doing this for me, my children and my husband. They deserve to have a mother and wife that can participate in everything they do, and be around to watch them grow. They are my inspiration, my willpower and what drives me to make a difference in my life to make a difference in theirs.
I titled this post "A Lifetime Struggle". The reason behind that is that for me, weight loss has truly been a struggle since i can remember. As a young child, when i was fairly active, i assume i was among the "average" size. I would go through "huskier" stages but what child doesn't? The time that i truly remember my weight becoming a problem was in the 6th grade. Middle school, which is in my opinion the most emotional three years of a child's life. The point between you are who they tell you, and you know who you are. When you are exploring your sexuality, hormones are running wild, and other kids start to get mean. It is when i believe i became aware of others, their looks and opinions. When i started to notice that i couldn't quite wear the clothes other girls could. The boys didn't give me the same attention that they did other girls. One memory that sticks out in my mind; I had a crush on a boy in my homeroom class. I had a friend ask if he would "go out" with me. He said no and she asked him why. He said "Because she's fat." I had never thought of myself as "fat" before. As a matter of fact i had really never heard someone call another person fat before. Just like that, a lifetime of comparing myself to others had begun. I came home that day and looked at myself in the mirror. I stared at myself until i was convinced, he was right.
And there i was. Barely 13 years old and walking around embarrassed of myself. Self conscious of every move i made. Hiding my flaws with baggy t-shirts and sweatshirts. Not concentrating on school or just being myself. Constantly trying to keep up with the crowd. Spending morning after morning crying, clothes spread all over the floor, cause i didn't feel good in anything. Just like that, it became about how much money my parents didn't have. How they couldn't afford Abercrombie and Hollister, nor could i really fit into them. Who i was friends with, who i wasn't friends with. People would make fun of me, i would make fun of others. Girls would throw condom wrappers at my head in class making fun of the fact that i had never had sex before. They would tell me nobody likes me because im fat or ugly. Feeling alone, trying to find a group to fit in with.
Then finally meeting friends you can relate to, friends that don't judge you or make you feel different. A few of those friends i am still friends with today. It breaks my heart that this is what its become. When kids get so mean? Thinking about my own daughter going through anything similar, brings tears to my eyes. I pray that i can give her the strength, guidance and values that will help to spare her of this emotional torture.
Now the transition to High school. Where its not quite as bad. You figure out who your friends are and you stick with them. Where i still got made fun of, but quickly got to the point where i could shrug it off. I learned to walk around with a smile on my face even though i was hurting inside. I continued to wear baggy t-shirts to hide my stomach. I continued to be self conscious of everything about me. I remember people "moo-ing" at me as i walked through the breezeways. Though it would hurt my feelings, i brushed it off. I was quiet and reserved, and for those of you that know me that is NOT who i am. My parents were getting divorced, so home life was nothing less than disheveled. I didn't have a boyfriend. I didn't think any guy would like me much less love me so i didn't even bother. I daydreamed of famous band members and actors. I had various crushes but would adore them from a distance. I continued to eat with bad habits, and exercise was non-existent. Eating seemed to be a comfort for me. The one thing that i had absolute control over. Something no one could take away from me.
Looking back now, from the perspective of an adult and a mother i can't believe i let that stuff bother me. I cant believe i let others control who i was. If i had gone into school everyday and shown everyone who i really am, concentrated on what i was at school to do, my how things would've been different. Hind sight is twenty twenty right? Now after two children, my body, mind and ideals have changed dramatically. It is no longer about being skinny or what most people think looks "good". Its no longer about me myself and i. Now i feel i have to make a LIFESTYLE change. Not only for me, but for my children. I want to set good examples for them. I want them to grow up accustomed to a healthy lifestyle as well. In hopes of sparing them the struggles with weight i have encountered over the years. I am doing this for me, my children and my husband. They deserve to have a mother and wife that can participate in everything they do, and be around to watch them grow. They are my inspiration, my willpower and what drives me to make a difference in my life to make a difference in theirs.
Jordan, yeah thats me.
For anyone who may not know me, my name is Jordan. I am 23 years young. I am married to a wonderful man who is a brave soldier in the US Army and just so happens to be my best friend.
My little handsome boy Carson turned our family of 3 to a family of 4 on August 5, 2011. Although he is barely six months old, he shows me so much personality. He loves to play with his sister and eat. Boy does that little monster like to eat! He loves it when mommy sings to him, and lights up with a smile as soon as he sees his dad. I never knew i could love another child as much as i loved Audrey. Until i saw those gigantic blue eyes looking at me, it was love at first sight!
I have started this blog so that my friends and family can follow my journey to weight loss. For inspiration and support, not to mention having an audience tends to make me push a little harder.
I want to be honest, open and forthcoming about my lifetime struggles with weight and weight loss. The good and the bad, the truth and the lies, the negatives and positives.
Hopefully this can be an inspiration to others.
THIS IS IT. My last chance at saving my own life. Being healthy and setting a good example for my kids. Feeling good about myself, and having the confidence on the outside as well as the inside. Im taking this head on, NO TURNING BACK.
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