Going Strong- 2nd Weigh In!

So here I am 4 weeks in and going strong! I still have so much motivation, which is leaps and bounds beyond how I usually feel after 4 weeks of weight loss- if I can remember the last time I lasted this long! What has changed is the focus; I'm not constantly worrying about the scale while feeling deprived of the foods I wish I could be eating. My ultimate goal is to be healthy, and I know that if I eat right and exercise the weight loss will happen naturally. It is empowering to think this way because it allows me to realize that I have reached my ultimate goal- I am healthy. All I need to do is keep going. In fact I have really enjoyed finding new healthy foods and recipes to try, so much so that I am thinking of becoming a nutritionist! The more information I find the more excited I get. My boyfriend is going to be a personal trainer, so we would be quite a pair! All that being said, I must admit that it isn't always easy to eat healthfully. Just last night I ate a whole wheat tortilla with light cheese and a bowl of special k at 9:30 pm. No good! But I knew that my whole diet wasn't going down the tubes because of my slip up, and I woke up this morning with resolve to eat extra clean. Once in a while I eat too much, but it's still healthy food and not often. I know that eating healthy for life means I need to have options that satisfy cravings- namely chocolate. I fould delicious low sugar, 90 calorie mocha ice cream bars, and I have read that you can make cupcakes using devils food cake mix and canned pure pumpkin in place of the oil and eggs. It cuts out most of the calories and saturated fat, and adds vitamins and antioxidants! Ok, enough babbling, here's how I did:

  In 2 weeks I have lost: 10 lbs
                                      0.5 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                      3 inches off the largest
                                      0.5 inches off my hips
                                      1 inch off my thighs
                                      2 inches off my bust (hope that's mostly loss of backfat, lol..)

Cumulatively, I have lost: 22 lbs
                                      2.5 inches off the smallest part of my waist and
                                      4 inches off the largest
                                      2 inches off my hips
                                     1.5 inches off my thighs
                                     1.25 inches off my arms
                                     3 inches off my bust

So the best part of my progress is losing 3 inches off my postpartum belly in just 2 weeks- I could not believe that, and all I can say is crunches work!! Since I didn't lose anything from my arms I know I have to incorporate arm workouts into my schedule. I am glad to report that I am fitting in more clothes every day, and the pregnancy jeans have officially been retired!!! I am very happy with losing 22 pounds in just 28 days, and I can see a difference in the photos- can you??

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read this- please comment below to show support and feel free to share this page with anyone who may possibly be inspired, or is on a like journey. Until next time, full steam ahead!!!
                                                

Drumroll Please... First Weigh In!

  Finally, I reached my first of many 2 week checkpoints, and it was great to be able to check my progress thusfar into my journey. I know that future weigh-ins will most definetely yield less considerable results, but it is just what I need to fuel my motivation moving ahead. I would like to compare all weigh-ins to my first one. That way I don't get hung up on week to week progress, but instead focus on overall progress- what I have accomplished from the beginning. I must say, as happy as I am of the weight loss, I am even more proud of the inches lost- that equals my clothes starting to fit me again!!! So like I said- much more to come in the next weeks and months, but for now check out how I did: (click on the photo if the font is too small to read)

So here's the breakdown: I've lost 12 lbs
                                                    2 inches off the thinnest part of my waist and
                                        1 inch off the largest
                                        1.5 inches off my hips
                                        0.5 inches off my thighs
                                        1.25 inches off my arms
                                        1 inch off my bust

Personally the best part I think is losing over an inch off my arms- I have struggled to squeeze them into shirts for so long! If ever the sleeves fit, the rest was baggy. This is one reason I am a fan of stretch fabrics. I never used to have a problem with my stomach, but after having the baby it is a new trouble spot. I will have to find some good lower abdominal exercises to do daily.

Here's how I did it: I am eating foods as close to earth as possible- avoiding processed, sweetened and fried foods, and keeping an eye on fat and calories, without counting. I try to have as many veggies a day as possible, stick to whole grains, fresh fruit, lean, lower sodium proteins, limit starches at dinnertime, take in as much fiber as I can, and eat every 3 to 4 hours - but not after dinner. Basically, if my body can't benefit from something, I don't eat it. I like to have many veggies at once in a salad or healthy stir fry (no oil or butter), with a protein mixed in. I am having smaller portions than I used to, and I find that if you eat nutrient rich foods, they are actually a lot more filling than unhealthy options. Oh and I drink lots of water- in fact it's the only thing I have been drinking other than skim milk, protein shakes and green tea.
 I usually take a morning walk and an evening walk at about an hour each, or substitute one walk with some cardio from playing DDR- I like it because there is a workout mode where your burned calories are estimated based on dance intensity and weight. I need to do crunches more often, and I have a beginners yoga video that is good for building strength, stretching, and relaxing. Still haven't found a time when both Luis and I are free to do some boxing drills..

  Thanks for following my progress- I hope to make all who read along proud. Happy to be a slightly less fat fat girl! Please click 'follow' on the right hand side of the page to show your support!
                                              
Question: do you think I should list future weight/inches lost as the difference from the beginning of my journey, from the last weigh in, or both? Please comment your answer below!

Step It Up (Lb 4 Lb)

  So here I am, over a week into my weight loss journey- usually about the time I give in and give up, due to fatigue, hunger & cravings. I am incredibly happy to report that if anything, I have even more motivation now than I did on day 1. That's because I'm doing it right this time, not starving myself and counting calories while I long for my favourite fatty & sugary foods. In fact, my boyfriend sat right next to me on the couch eating a delicious smelling fried empanadilla and I felt no twang of jealousy. I am now viewing food and health itself quite differently than I ever have before. I want to do away with the things that my body has no use for- excess sugar, processed grains & empty calories. I aim to eat a variety of fruits, veggies, lean proteins & whole grains throughout the day. I usually start off with a fair amount of fiber and protein, try to keep starchier foods to lunchtime & have a predominantly veggie dinner with a protein - although veggies end up in most if not all meals in multiple varieties. I also try to have something to eat every 3 hours or so, and do not eat after dinner (usually 6-6:30). As far as exercise, I usually take at least one long walk a day (my favourite time is after dinner) and most days incorporate cardio & some strength training / calisthetics. Today I got my heart rate up nicely & burned 400 calories in about 45 minutes playing a dance video game, and it was super fun!
  Already into my second week, I am experimenting more with ingredients & flavor combinations, keeping an eye on portion size & emphasizing physical activity. I look forward to trying new & exotic foods that this planet has to offer, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I fit a myriad of vitamins, minerals & antioxidants on my plate, with little fat. I plan to post some of my favourite meals on this page in the future.
  I used to think of losing weight as being strictly a long term goal that you simply had to suffer to achieve. That, I think, is the definition of a diet. But I am finding that if the focus is on being healthy, you reap a plethora of benefits starting on day 1, and the weight loss comes in time. I am happier & less stressed, more content with my meals, never feel overly stuffed, bloated, lazy or guilty, I have more energy and less aches & pains. In fact I find it exciting to learn about different foods, prepare meals & research the best nutrients. I never thought being healthy would bring such joy! Now I am proud to know that my daughter will have a good example of healthy choices as she grows, because I am not going back!
  Lastly, I must comment on a crucial factor in my determination- my incredible boyfriend, who has been more supportive than I could have ever asked for. He has given me so much to fight for, not to mention tools to fight with, as he is very knowledgable in the field of health & fitness (as is my beautiful, perfectly fit sister- she constantly gives me great tips!). We are nothing in life without the people that surround & nurture us, & I happen to be lucky enough to be surrounded by love & greatness beyond measure.

Question 3: would anyone like to share a gealthy recipe or product of note found in the market?

And We're Off! - 'Before' Photo & Stats (Lb 4 Lb Journey)

It's a good thing the beginning of any venture is when I have the most motivation- otherwise I would be far too scared (or smart, perhaps?) to post the details of my starting point. But now that I am flinging myself into cyberspace humiliation, I have no choice but to kick ass and shed this extra weight. If you are ever in need of a 'pick-me-up', allow me to assist. Just read my measurements, then measure yourself and record them to compare. You're welcome. (Note - the side photo is not a snapshot of my recent pregnancy)

[if font is too small to read, click on photo]


To start off, I am choosing healthier options for my meals, and smaller portions. Also not eating late at night (my #1 vice, I must admit). As far as exercise, I am still working out a proper routine. I would like to take a calorie-burning walk at least 5 times a week, and whenever possible do calisthetics (butchering that term, I'm sure), an upper arm boxing workout with my trainer boyfriend, and a simple lightweight routine. Adding to that the 'mommy baby dance parties' Xia and I enjoy to electronica, and if only I could get that damn DDR mat to work- I used to burn like crazy from that! Still searching online for good workouts..

Question #2: Is there a good indoor place for purposeful walking other than the mall??

I will weigh in again 2 weeks from now. Wish me luck!