Running a mile.......

Let me start this by saying, I have NEVER in my life, ran a mile!!!
Back in November/December 2018 I attempted to run... I just ran until I couldn't anymore.. It was .25 of a mile. I made so many excuses as to why I had to stop, it was 34° outside & my lungs were on fire.. lol

Fast forward to last weekend, my mom & her boyfriend, Zack, were at my house. We were all sitting out front, talking. Zack has been trying to get me to run a 5K with them for MONTHS!!! I do NOT run. I CAN'T run! I am NOT a runner!

However, he made me promise that I'd do one with them by the end of the year. He would even pay, but I had to do it!
I relented. So, I vowed that I would begin "training" this week, and then I MIGHT be ready by December haha.

Today is day 3 of my usual gym week.
I decided I just needed to see where I was at, and how much work I needed to do to be ready for a 5K.

I walked into the gym, at 6am, headed straight to the treadmill.
I told myself, it's ok if you can't get a mile, just do like last time, run until you just can't anymore. Then stop, and try to do better next time.

I pressed start & set the pace at 5mph.
That felt comfortable, and I could always lower the speed if I needed to in a few minutes. (The treadmill told me that was a 12 minute/mile pace.)

About 9 minutes in, I sent a SnapChat video to Zack, letting him know I was almost at 1 mile! I couldn't believe it!
Then, I took a video for myself at the 10 minute mark.

Once I was near the first mile, I figured I could keep going & just stop when I needed. After all, I had already surpassed my expectations. I was already proud of what I was capable of.

Next thing I know, I'm creeping up on 2 miles & I felt like I could go a LITTLE bit longer.. Maybe 2.5? Nah, I'll probably stop way before then, for sure. No way I could do another half mile!

Then, 2.5 came.... I told myself, just push, SEE IF you can get close to 3! Also, I increased the speed to 5.5 mph.

As 2.7 neared, I found myself wondering if I could do another half a mile.....
I mean, that's all it would take to reach 5K!
That's not too much longer.. So, I pushed.

3 miles...
3.06 miles...
3.13 miles...
3.17 miles...
3.2 miles!

I pressed stop on the treadmill, because I had burst into tears!!!
Who was this person who had just ran THREE MILES?!?!?!

Three point two miles.
A 5K.
At 6 in the morning!
Obviously, not the person that I thought I was when I walked into the gym 40 minutes prior.
Anyone who saw me burst into tears probably thought I was losing my mind.
I collected myself a bit.
Got off the treadmill.
Grabbed a paper towel to clean the handles that I barely touched (twice, to check my pulse).

As I walked out of the gym, to my car, I could NOT stop crying.
I don't even know why.

I went in, hoping to get to .5 miles.

We are SO much stronger than we think we are!
We are capable of SO much more than we believe!

I don't run.
I am not a runner.
I can't run.

I ran a 5K for the very first time today, in 37:48. That averages to LESS than 12 minutes a mile!

Proud doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling.

P.S. if you wanna experience THE moment, check out my video..
Prepare to cry!
You've been warned..

My 21 Day Meal Plan Journey

So, I have been following My Adventure to Fit pretty much ever since I created my Fitness Instagram.
She is the creator of the 21 Day Meal Plan.
To put this as simply as possible, this is a "meal plan" that is just a list of "allowed foods".
The premise is, for 21 days ONLY eat the foods that are on the list.
That's it!!!
Then, you can take a break or continue with another 3 week round.
The goal is to make this plan work for your life, and to make it a lifestyle as the new way you think about food & eat.

I considered buying it for quite a while, but could never quite talk myself into it.
However, on St. Paddy's Day, she had a 50% off sale & I could not pass that up!

So, I finally bought it.

Once I got the plan, I wrote down a grocery list. Figured I would be able to fit it all into our usual budget, if I did half at a time. Bought the first half last week, will be buying the last half tomorrow.

As of my last weigh in, I am only 19lbs away from my goal, 145!!!
By Sunday, which will be my "Day One", I should be 18lbs away.
I will be weighing myself, and doing all of my measurements Sunday morning, so that I can compare all aspects of any losses that I experience by day 21.

It seems that many people lose 10-20lbs during their first round!
I am NOT expecting to lose even close to that! I know that because I don't have a ton left to lose, that it may not come off quite as quickly, and I am ok with that!
As you know, I have no issues with losing slowly. In fact, I prefer to do so!
That is NOT my reasoning behind wanting to start the plan. I don't want a quick fix for the last 20ish pounds! I just want to get myself into a "better" eating routine prior to reaching my goal, so that I will be able to change my eating habits easier for my next steps! I will already be in a better eating routine by then, and not just have to dive in head first.

So, obviously, once I reach my goal, I will assess (I do NOT foresee wanting/needing to lose any more than what I have planned), and if I'm good with 145 (like I know I will be) I will begin maintenance mode!!! That will be 2 or 3 months of staying within a 5lb range of my final weight (so, between 140-150)!
After I know that I can handle maintaining my weight, I will begin focusing on toning!
Mainly, arms & abs! (P.S. especially abs lmao)

From what I can tell, based on the research I've been doing about toning your abs, food matters WAY more for that than it does for losing weight!!!
Mostly due to sodium intake and the amount of protein you're getting. That is a key factor to the 21 Day Meal Plan. It's all whole foods and focused on low sodium (basically, no added salt.. just the salt that you get naturally).

Another HUGE factor that made me want to try the plan out was the fact that tracking is not required. I am hoping that I can try to not track for a portion of my maintenance period. Maybe a month or so in, not at first.
Obviously, tracking my meals for the rest of my life is far from ideal! Haha. So, I'm hoping that this will help get me to a point where I can manage my weight, without obsessing over every single calorie that goes into my mouth.
That freedom means more to me than ANYTHING else that this plan may give my life.

Tiffany recommends that the first round is done 100% compliant. Then, if you so choose, you may add in some things that are not on the list of foods, given that they are still fairly healthy & natural. I know that for me, the first thing I will add back are my protein shakes! Haha. It's not the "most" natural thing in the world, but it is healthy & all in all, it's not a bad addition.

Those are my reasons & goals for myself on the plan.. Here's a quick rundown of my plan of attack!

First of all, like I mentioned earlier, I made a list of all of the compliant foods that I would eat. I have purchased half already, and will purchase the rest tomorrow.
I, also, purchased "meal prep" dishes. Glass ones that I can put in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, etc..

I am going to choose one or two meals each week, and I am going to prep 2 or 3 days worth at a time.

I don't really eat breakfast, I just have my protein shakes on gym days & coffee the other mornings. So, I will be trying to figure out a good smoothie recipe for my mornings, that I will continue to drink on my off days after the first 3 weeks (because I will add my shakes back in after the first round).

Then, I will eat whatever meal I prepped for lunch & dinner for a couple of days.
I figure if I only prep 4 to 6 servings, it will hold up well. I don't want to do too much more, in fear that it will spoil.
So, every 2 or 3 days, I will switch up my meal. If that starts making me angry (eating the same thing two days straight), I will prep two different meals at once & alternate each day.
I am new to this whole meal prep business. Haha.
Any tips would be appreciated.

Snacks, that should be a bit easier.
The list of compliant snacks is pretty limited, unless you create your own snacks. So, I am thinking I will keep it simple the first round!

I feel like after 3 weeks, I will feel more comfortable navigating on a day to day basis & will get a little more adventurous!

So, this is my main plan, as of now..
If you're already on the plan, let me know how you're doing.

Review of the Year of You VoxBox

***ALL products reviewed in this blog were sent to me, complimentary, by Influenster, in exchange for my honest opinions.***

Click here to see the vlog that accompanies this blog.

First up is the Kiss Products Eyelashes & Lash Adhesive.

I am NOT very good at applying false lashes..

However, this was my easiest application to date! Haha.

I liked the look of the lashes and the ease of adhesive application to said lashes.

The lashes didn't need to be trimmed, if anything they could have been a bit wider.

If you click the link above, you can see the application & hear, first hand, what my first impressions were.

Here are some photos shortly after applying them:

So....
They didnt last very long on me..
After about 20-30 minutes they started peeling off. Again, this could VERY well be user error!

See photos:

I would try the lashes again. Love the adhesive.

Next up we have the Classico Organic Pasta Sauce. I had the roasted garlic flavor.
I used it for 3 meals (only have photos of two..).
I made meatball subs for my husband & son, and I had myself a bowl of zucchini spaghetti.

It tasted really great. My favorite part was the decent sized chunks of tomatoes in the sauce.
After this night, I put the remainder of the jar in my fridge to use another night.
The 3rd meal that I used it for was stuffed bell peppers. It was 4 or 5 days later & I forgot to take pictures of that meal. Although, those would have been the best pics! It was so beautiful & delicious!
Nutrition wise this sauce isn't any different than the usual, non-organic, sauce that we usually buy. But, I'd buy it again if I saw it in the store, and it for my meal budget.

The spray on deodorant smelled great. It was easy to apply. BUT, about 15 minutes after I was finished filming my vlog, I noticed that the left side had rubbed white residue all over the armpit edge of my shirt & bra. Not the right side, just the left. I remember noting that my left side had some white showing after application. So, I'd say as long as it didn't "cake up" while applying you should be fine. Honestly, I think I'll just stick with my Suave bar deodorant!

Finally, we come to the Goldbond Lotion. The smell was kind of a medicated smell, but it wasn't too strong. It rubbed into my skin fairly quickly and didnt leave any sticky/oily residue. A tiny bot goes a really long way. I will continue to use the bottle. After it's gone, that's when I'll make the decision to buy another, or not.

Goals...?

Hello.

I know I don't post much, I've been telling myself I need to work on it.

As a matter of fact, I am hoping to have a blog up this weekend (other than this one HA!).

Anywho..
So, the last "my life" blog was about my weightloss journey.
This one is, too.

So, if you don't really care about that type of stuff, I love you, and I'll see ya for the next post, maybe. No hard feelings.

However, if you're interested, thanks for reading. Be sure to say hi or something!

Now, onto the main point.

Goals...

So, as I stated in my last blog, when I started this journey, my goal was to hit 180. I, honestly, figured that "if I lost THAT much weight (56lbs from start to 180) that I'd look amazing, plus I'd probably look weird to be thinner than that".

Well, that goal has come & gone. I hit it on December 5th, 2018 (19 days earlier than I planned!). But, as I was coming up to that goal, I started to realize that I KNEW I could go lower. That I still, clearly, had plenty more to lose before I would look "too thin"! Haha.

So, I thought back to a time when I was comfortable in my body (& a time when I actually knew my weight, seeing as how I didn't even care about that until i was about 17/18). Turns out, 17 was the time that I was trying to think of, anyways!
I was ranging between 160-165, 36DD bra, I was happy & loved my body.

THAT should be my final goal!!!

That's what I told myself, and again, figured I'd look "too thin" much lower than that... Because I loved the way I looked back then.

Well, here I am, 11lbs away from 160, and wondering if I COULD do more...........

Last night, I had a conversation with Eric (the husband for any new comers) & I showed him a couple of women that I follow on Instagram;
@TheStairLady & @Jens100PoundJourney

First of all, I follow a LOT of people, but there are a handful that I tend to watch more closely, simply because they are "closest" to me as a body. (i.e. 30ish, 5'4" tall, started at 240ish)
Well, one is at 148, the other just hit her goal of 140. BOTH of these women look beautiful & healthy, and not at all "too skinny"!!!

I think that last night, having that conversation, out loud, with Eric, was, literally, the very first time that I have EVER considered setting a 140-something pound goal!!!

Now, I am STILL not 100% sure about that...
I am still working towards my short term of 170 (which I will hit soon), then my short term goal of 160.
I keep telling myself that once I hit 160, that's when I'll make the final decision.
Not a second before then! Lol.

I don't know why the 140s seem to scare me, or maybe just seem out of reach.
I have NO idea why I can't just say I'd like to get there.

I have said, once, that once I get to 160, I will start setting 5lb short term goals (as opposed to my, usual,10lb ones).
Then, once I get to 155, I can go to 150, etc.

Well, I'm here, and I'm saying it, RIGHT NOW!!!
I am setting my FINAL goal to 145!!!

And here is my "escape clause":
IF, at any point, over the next 26lbs I feel like I am comfortable enough, "too thin", or anything else that makes me change my mind, I CAN!!!

Instead of upping my goals after each loss, I am just jumping the gun & lowering it, all the way!!! Then, adjustments can vary as needed on the way!

It's such a strange feeling to have this out in the world. It's such a weird feeling to even THINK it's possible...

But, theres ONE more facet to this convo from last night. The one that got me thinking that it was even a possibility...

Before Eric got home I had a thought..
What does a 30lb loss even LOOK like on my body..
So, to the Gram I went, to find my "30lbs lost" photo.

I compared my Day One - to - 30lbs gone - to - 65lbs gone...

Honestly, looking at the differences  I don't think it looks like I could lose another 30..
However, that's just me, looking it square in the belly! Haha.
I'm sure I've got close to that, that's possible to lose, belly, legs, arms, back combined. So, I went with a 26lb goal. (171 to 145)

This is where I'm sitting, these are all of my cards, out on the table for all to see.
Scary!

Part of me feels like if I don't make it, I've failed everyone.

Part of me feels good, because this is my accountability. Like, once you've spoken a goal out into the world, you have to live up to it!

Look what it did for me with 180.. I wanted to lose 18lbs in 16 weeks to meet my goal... I ended up losing 18lbs in about 14 weeks!!!

Also, because we are on the topic of "dated weight goals", I just want to make it VERY clear that I am NOT giving myself a specific date to reach this by!!!

Ideally, continuing on with my average of 1lb a week, I'd reach it sometime between July & September. However, IF it takes a little longer, or not quite as long, I am ok with that, as well! I don't want to have the added pressure of a ticking clock.

Alright, I believe that I've rambled for long enough.. I just needed to get my thoughts out & down. Even if no one else but me reads this, it has helped to organize my thoughts & I am happy.

So long, until next time.

Instant Pot Adventures (001) - Deviled Eggs

By now I'm sure you've all heard of the Instant Pot!
Well, my parents got me one for Christmas, this year!!!

I have been going back & forth between wanting an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer over the past few months...
Even though I've only had the InstaPot a few days & I've only JUST used it for the first time... I must say, I'm glad to have this over the fryer!!!
We don't eat a ton of fried foods to begin with, and this thing is seeming to be SUPER versatile.

I haven't really cooked much since getting it, so today was its maiden voyage. I had heard from someone on Facebook that it makes good hard boiled eggs. I was intrigued.
As someone who makes dozens of dozens of deviled eggs EVERY SINGLE YEAR, the thought of quick hard boiled eggs was a dream come true!!!

Off subject, but over the years I have perfected hard boiled eggs!!!
If you don't have an InstaPot, feel free to find that secret here!!! Perfect EVERY time!

Anywho, having said that ^^^ I will NEVER boil eggs like that again!!!
Now, this InstaPot method only, truly, saves me about 6 minutes of "cook" time, BUT it's still so worth it! We'll get into all of the "whys" in just a moment.

I want to preface this by saying, normally, I cook WAY more than 10 eggs at a time.
This particular family gathering is small, 10 people.
Usually, I will cook 2 to 3 dozen at a time!
I am confident, but curious to see how well it handles all of that, next time.

Alright, let's get into this!!!

First of all, you have to test your Instant Pot prior to actually using it. Just follow the simple instructions in the booklet that it comes with.
Basically, you add 3 cups of water to the pot, attach the lid, set the vent to seal, and run the pressure cooker for 2 minutes. All this does is assure that your cooker is working properly; lid, vents, etc.

Now, I Googled how to hard boil eggs in the InstaPot and pretty much every single tutorial said to add one cup of water & to use the little rack that comes with the pot.

I pressed the "egg" button, then pressed the adjust button until it was on high, & set the time for 5 minutes. 10 seconds later, it beeped and began. It takes about 2 minutes for the pressure to build up, then it will steam for 5 minutes. Once the time runs out, it will automatically set itself on "keep warm". So, you let the eggs sit, while the pot naturally releases pressure, for 5 minutes. (12 minutes in, so far.)

Once 5 minutes has passed, turn the release valve to vent. Do this VERY quickly, and make sure your hand is not anywhere near the release vent!
Use a spoon if you are worried.
Once the steam & pressure is all released, remove the lid.
(14ish minutes, so far.)
By the way, the eggs look great, here. No cracks or spillage.

I used a pair of tongs to remove the eggs, and I put them in a bowl of ice water.
Mostly, this just makes it to where you can handle them while peeling.
Sit in ice for 5 minutes, then peel!
(Done in 19+/- minutes!)

Now, let me tell you...
My LEAST favorite part about making deviled eggs is the peeling!!! Ugh!
Especially when I have to make a few dozen at a time... By the end, my finger tips are so sore.
However, these were the easiest eggs to peel, that I have ever experienced!!!
You crack the shell & it practically slips off! I was extremely impressed. Didn't take long, at all.
But, the best part?!?!?!
NONE of the eggs peeled ugly!!!
If you've ever made boiled eggs, you know what I'm talking about. Some eggs like to hold onto their shells in a couple of places & when you're peeling, the shell takes a bit of egg white off with it, causing the white to look jagged. Not these! All 10 of my eggs are perfectly peeled & beautiful!!!

Here is a cross section of one of the eggs. The yolk is perfectly cooked! There is no gooey center, which was my main concern before starting this.

Again I say, perfectly cooked. The outer edges are still yellow, and haven't been over cooked to that rubbery green color.

After you devil your yolks, spoon the mixture into your whites & sprinkle with your seasonings.
Here they are, all ready to be put in the refrigerator until we head out this afternoon!

How about a close up of those gorgeous eggs?! Delicious!

All in all, I am thoroughly impressed with how well the eggs were cooked. Normally, it would take me 25 minutes, JUST to "cook" them *see link towards beginning*, but these were done & ready to peel in just 19!!!
I will be using this for ALL of my future egg-scursions. ;)

Thanks for reading.
I will be back, next time, with my buffalo chicken dip! (Whole recipe, and all!)

***Sorry, not giving you my deviled egg recipe, that's a secret! Lol.***

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

This is gonna be just a quick blog about how to cook perfect hard boiled eggs!

Take a sharp knife & poke a small hole into the top of each egg.

As you poke them, place them into a big pot.

Once you have finished adding all of your eggs, make sure your pot is large enough to add enough water to completely submerge your eggs, and still have boiling room.

Sprinkle about 2tsp of salt into the water.

Place on your stove & turn it on high.

It will take about 5 minutes for the water to begin to boil, once it is boiling let it boil for 10 minutes.

After your timer goes off, take the pot off of the heat, immediately, and put a lid on.
Let the eggs sit in the pot for an additional 15 minutes.

(About 30 minutes in, so far.)

After that timer goes off, you can drain the eggs & add ice water to the pot. Let that sit about 5 minutes so that the eggs are easier to handle while peeling.

That's it! That's the secret!
Perfectly boiled eggs, every time.

If you have an Instant Pot, and you want to boil eggs in that, I have a blog explaining how, as well.
Click here to read that one.

Saving Myself from Myself

People who know me, know that I have struggled with my weight a lot over the last 11 years.

All through High School, I was never a size 2, like most of my friends, but I was ok with my body. I enjoyed what I looked like, for the most part.
At 17 I was 160lbs, and I loved my body!
That was really the first time that I ever wondered how much I weighed, so I couldn't tell you any other weights from prior to 17.

However, once I turned 18, I gained about 25lbs. I was 185 at 19, when I got pregnant.
However, I had lost about 10lbs before I found out! So, I was feeling good, losing weight without really trying, then it turned out, I was just pregnant... Bahaha.
By the day I gave birth to Ty I was 38.5 weeks pregnant & 198lbs.
About a month after I gave birth I had dropped back down to 174!!!
The lightest I am aware of being since.
I am certain that I weighed less after starting work at Dodge, but I never weighed myself. I just know by the way my clothes were fitting after 2 months. However, that's when my accident happened.

For those who may be reading this who don't know me, personally, on April 26, 2010 a man ran a stop sign doing about 60mph & slammed into the front quater panel of my car. I spun a couple of times, took out a stop sign & almost hit a giant tree. My son, 8 months old at the time, was in the back seat. My head busted out my driver's side window, my left arm punched through my windshield, and my right knee was jammed into the dashboard.
Ty was, so thankfully, unharmed!!!
I, however, was quite banged up.
I remember turning around to look at Ty after it was over, he was in his carseat & it hadn't moved. I unbuckled so quickly & climbed out of my broken window. The Drs at the hospital told me that I had a tibial plataue fracture & put me in a leg brace until I could get in to see an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Well, between car insurances & other BS it took 2 months to get into one!!!
At that time, they told me my leg was not broken, but I had severely sprained my MCL, AND both of my bursas in my right knee had burst! (Those are the little sacks that surround your knee & joint for lubrication.)
Needless to say, after being in a brace for 2 months, my leg needed a TON of physical therapy!!!
It was horrible & painful & I've told you all of this to say that my knee has always been an issue since, AND that that is when my weight REALLY got out of control.

After 2 months of just sitting around due to my "broken" leg, and then the pain over the next few months of PT. I just started gaining.

In 2012, I had decided enough was enough & I lost about 40lbs, just from eating less (not calorie counting or anything), drinking a gallon of water a day, and walking 4 miles a day/3 days a week.

For whatever reason, after I hit 193, I gave up... I, honestly, can not remember why... I know that my mother-in-law passed away that October & life was not very good for a few months after that, I suspect that's what happened.. That's neither here nor there. Between the beginning of 2013 & the end of 2017 I gained every pound back.

Here were get to 2018. Fresh 2018!!!
January 7th, to be exact.
It wasnt a "New Year's Resolution", I just happened to start in January lol.
My husband had recently switched jobs & we had some extra spending money. He had bought himself some things & I just could NOT figure out what I wanted for myself.
Finally, I said to him, just give me $200, I will keep it in my account & let it pay a gym membership each month!
At that point, he told me that I didnt need to use the money for that, to just join & that he would just pay the membership fee, normally.
I almost cried lol.
We had tossed around the idea of joining a gym for YEARS. Something inside of me just knew it was time!!!

I went the next day to check out Anytime Fitness & Planet Fitness. When I arrived at Anytime, at the time I would have to be there each morning, it was not "open". But, you could get in with the fob. I found out that employees didnt show up until 11am, and I did NOT feel comfortable knowing that I could be at the gym, completely alone at Anytime.
So, in their parking lot, I called Planet.
Someone answered! I asked a few questions & once I found out that if PF was open, there was ALWAYS an employee there, I just knew that was the one.

I went on the tour. Then, I opted for the $22.95/mo membership instead of the $10!!! But, I'm SO glad that I did! Over the summer, my step-mom started going with me, as my guest, & that was just an even better added bonus to my life change. We bonded so much, and she eventually got her own membership & still goes!

Moving on to the start.
I was so nervous, my first day was the 9th, because I didn't know that I would be able to start the day I joined, and I went in normal clothes lol. Didn't have time to go home & come back before Ty got out of school.
So, I walk in.. I was so glad to see SO many people in all different points of their journey. Not everyone looked perfect, and that was a little less intimidating.
I went to the treadmill, walked one mile as a warm up. Then, I moved on to the 30 minute circut room, and finished off with 5 miles on the bike.
I left feeling so good!!!

I continued that same routine for the first 4 weeks. Then, I got the nerve to take a class with the trainer!

My first time, I took 4 classes in a row.
Arms, legs, shoulders, abs. (Not necessarily in that order lol).
There were 3 other women taking the first & since I was the only one in the other 3 they agreed to join me for those, as well.

I ended up taking 3 more focused classes before I was ready to take on a "design your own". Luckily, he had gotten to know my body a little. So he knew how to modify workouts to suit my specific issues/crutches (knee, mostly).

So, after that, I was on my own with that routine for 6 weeks.

About 3 weeks in, I forgot my leg brace on top of the dryer... It was leg day... I decided to go easy, but I felt like it wasn't really working me out as good as usual. So, I figured I could just put my weights back up & just do less reps.... But, it blew me away that my knee didn't hurt, at all!!! I got through my ENTIRE leg day without any pain!!!
I assumed the pain would come later, and it never did!!!
To this day, I have not had any knee pain!!!
Just like that, I had healed myself without even knowing it!
So, on top of EVERYTHING else, this was my favorite side effect! This has been quite a Chilly winter for Florida, and the cold weather usually KILLS my knee. That, I figured, would be the true test. NOTHING! NO pain! It's truly amazing!

I ended up taking the class again a couple more times, then I decided that I was confident & educated enough to design my own.

I have been doing that ever since!
I took a couple of 3 week long design classes with a couple of other trainers, as they came through. (Turnover for a trainer has been kind of high at my gym lol. After John left, we are on our 3rd one!!!)

But, mostly, just to get new ideas & run ideas that I've seen past them lol.

I follow quite a bit of people on my Fitstagram (as my Sister-in-Law called it over Christmas haha), & I save a ton of workout videos & try them when I'm feeling brave!

Now, it wasn't just exercise, alone, that helped me shed the weight. For the majority of my journey I have been in a caloric deficit! I still eat carbs, and anything else I want to eat, I just make sure it all adheres to my daily calorie allowance.

Over the course of this journey, I KNEW only one thing. That I didn't care how slow going it was, as long as it was always going! When I first started taking classes with John, we had conversations about weightloss & such. I told him I was only losing one pound a week, and he said it was perfect. You really want to aim at losing 1 to 2lbs a week, to give your body time to get into your new habits, and to allow your skin to regain its elasticity.
I have seen so many amazing, beautiful bodies over the last year that have excess skin, and I am not afraid of it. I know it's a possibility. However, I am glad that i chose to take it slow & am doing my best to minimize the chance, or amount.
I have, consistently, lost 1lbs a week, since beginning. With the exception of a handful of weeks where I lost 2 or 3.

I am on week 51 & I have lost 57lbs!
236 down to 179!!!
I have gone from a size 18 pants to a loose fitting 13/14.
Size XXL shirt to a loose fitting L.
42DDD bra to a 36DD.
Size 10 wedding rings to size 8.
AND a 9.5 shoe to an 8!!! That one caught me by surprise! Lol.
I have so much stamina, I am so much stronger!
***Editing on January 3rd, to add that from week 24 (about 212lbs) until now, week 52 (179lbs) I have lost 39" Total across my whole body!!! I don't know how many total inches are lost since the start, because I didn't measure until week 24.**

I even gave myself a small, personal goal aside from weightloss..
To do ONE pushup by the end of December.
I reached that goal on November 27th!!!

I won't be adding any photos on this blog post, however, I will link my Instagram, if you'd like to check it out for yourself.

Once I have reached, what I'm hoping will be, my final goal weight (160), I will post a new blog with tons of photos of my journey.

I really just wanted to get this out & maybe help anyone who may be struggling like I was! Someone who maybe needs to know that it doesn't have to be hard. You don't HAVE to lose it all in one year. One pound lost is still ONE POUND LOST!!! 20 weeks from now you could be 20lbs closer to your goal, or you could be exactly where you are right now!

All it takes is wanting to change, and taking action!

After all it is the "time" for resolutions, and although that's not what mine started out as, it doesn't mean it couldn't have. I know there's a stigma around "NYRs", but I think if you REALLY want it, you can make it happen!!!
I think the issue is, people thinking that they HAVE to start on the 1st. Like, if they start before or after it doesn't count.
I promise, it DOES count!!!