Carie's Weight Loss Journey - Week 4

I am 4 weeks in and feeling AMAZING! I didn't realize just how bad things had gotten for me. My zest for life had pretty much diminished. I didn't want to go out (even to shop) and I wanted to stay home and hide. And now that I have all this energy, all I want to do is go, go, GO! I am feeling better, my clothes are fitting me, and some clothes don't fit anymore at all! Talk about EXCITING! I am becoming more confident and even feeling sexy for the first time in a long, long time! Which is HUGE for me!

I have been asked lately about how long I plan on updating my weight loss journey. Until August 1st, I will be doing updates weekly. After that, they will be monthly. I am in a body-fat percentile lost challenge with some friends (this is JUST FOR FUN) and the challenge started June 1st and will end August 1st. I plan on continuing my weight loss journey, but I won't be updating as often.

This week has been a hot, hot week. I think each day this week had a heat advisory warning. I'm talking, 8:00 a.m. and it's already 75 degrees outside! Talk about sweating! Oh my, oh my!

Saturday, June 23rd - This day was a total weather fiasco! I kept my eye on the weather all day. A storm system had hit us, barley, and was moving out of the area. I decided to go on ahead and walk to Jamie's house. In order to get there, I have to cross the train tracks. I had to wait 25 MINUTES! A train stopped, and slowly, and I mean s-l-o-w-l-y, started moving again. It had finally pulled away enough for me to walk across the tracks, but by that time, lightning had started and it was sprinkling. I pulled out my small umbrella, only to find that it was broken. Great... I got to Jamie's and she decided to run in to get her own umbrella. We didn't even get a block away before it started down-pouring. We stood under an awning to get out of the rain. Once it slowed down, we continued our walk to the track. In the time it took us to get there, my umbrella had broken in about 3 more places. I gave up and told Jamie we should walk to a friend's house and get a ride home. I walked back to Jamie's later that evening, and we were able to get our workout for the Couch-to-5K done!

Monday, June 25th - Walked to ZUMBA with Jamie. The heat made us sweat like crazy! But we got an awesome workout in!

Tuesday, June 26th - I walked briskly to meet up with Jamie so that we could go to the track for our Couch-to-5K workout. It was hot, but no where near as humid as the day before. We did our workout and were completely drenched in sweat, yet again! We walked back to our meeting place and as I walked on my own towards the street that takes me to my house, I thought, "Maybe I can get a steady pace and jog the whole way home?!" So that's what I did! I had to stop once to cross a busy street, but I picked right back up where I left off and pushed myself all the way down the street! It felt great! I hadn't really felt that way since high school cross country! Pushing myself even though I'm tired, but knowing that I can do it. I felt very strong! And I was a sweaty, hot mess!

Wednesday, June 27th - Walked to ZUMBA with Jamie to meet up with my friend, Amber, who will now be joining us for classes the rest of the summer (as her work allows!). The class was PACKED. The YMCA had to relocate because of the Tornado that hit earlier this year, so we are in an old school building, exercising in a class room. We were like sardines! It got hot fast, and the workout was intense, but the energy level was high and it made me feel empowered! I pushed really hard and kept going even when I wanted to stop! By the time class was over, it looked like someone had splashed water all over me! Sweaty deliciousness!

Thursday, June 28th - Jamie and I decided to do our Couch-to-5K workout at 8:00 p.m. to save us from the awful heat that day. I sent Charles to pick her up because I did not want her to get overheated before our workout. It was hot, but we made it through and didn't stop!

Friday, June 29th - Jamie and Amber met at my house to walk to ZUMBA together! Class wasn't as full, so that made it easier for Amber to learn and get the hang of the Zumba moves. But it was still as hot as before! We were all dripping within minutes of the warm-up song! I had to stay after to practice 2 songs while walking for the 4th of July parade in my town. The ZUMBA class is going to represent the YMCA in the parade again, but this will be my first time! Last year I was VERY pregnant with Miss Vivian! At the end of the 2 songs, I was dripping, literally, from head to toe in sweat. I am going to burn SOOOO many calories that day! It's going to be AMAZING! I'm pumped and ready to go!

Start to Week 4, left side progression photos:

Start to Week 4 photos:

Start Weight: 202 lbs

Week 1 Weight: 193 lbs

Week 2 Weight: 190 lbs

Week 3 Weight: 190 lbs

Week 4 Weight: 189 lbs

Weight Lost Since Last Week: 1 lb

Total Weight Lost: 13 lbs

Weight To Go: 54 lbs

I am feeling great! Down one pound is fine by me! I don't want to lose weight too fast because I want my skin to bounce back with me. I can feel my body changing and it is truly an amazing thing. I feel stronger! I feel as if I can do (almost) anything I set my mind to! I want to love myself again.

And I am starting to!

Post-Workout Snuggles

After my Couch-to-5K workout last night, Vivian looked at me as if she hadn't seen me all day!

It made me feel like a million dollars!

She kept giving me baby snuggles and kisses!

So I pulled out the camera and captured her cuteness!

I just LOVE my baby!

Welcome Summer 2012!

Summer 2012 is officially here and we have been feeling the heat! We have been keeping cool in the air conditioning, we do not take it for granted! I keep it off until the girls start telling me that it's hot. They usually say, "Mommy... It's time for a freezy-pop now!"

I have been going outside with the girls in the morning before it gets too hot! We don't have a lot of yard toys, so it's always a little boring for the girls to just swing and have nothing else to do outside besides run around. I had mentioned it to our Parent Educator, so the next time she stopped by, she brought the girls some yard toys! They have had a blast with them inside as well as outside!

All three girls in the crawl-through tube!

Miss Vivian crawling through the tube! And not on her belly!

Our Parent Educator also brought by some lawn mowers for the older girls to push around the yard! They are great outside... not so much for the inside! They are LOUD!

And while the older girls are playing with the toys, Vivian and chilled on a blanket in the yard together! It was nice to get some sweet baby cuddles from my girlfriend!

We are trying to beat the heat, but it gets hot fast! It's hard to get Caitlin and Rosalie to wear clothes right now! They keep telling me, "It too hot!" So generally, they are running around in cloth diapers or undies! Or completely in the buff (Caitlin).

I wanted to give you all an update on Charles' weight loss! He has extremely cut back on his pop intake! And the scale has shown that it's working! He's down 10 lbs! I am a proud wife to that man! He's been getting a workout from going disc golfing. He really, really enjoys it! He's talked me into going out with him for a round... but we'll see! I've never been good at throwing anything! Baseballs, footballs, a Frisbee... yep... I suck! It'll probably be a laugh fest when we go!

You can see a difference in him. He's happier, more confident, and his clothes are starting to fit again! It's a truly wonderful thing! I had no idea how much stress we were both under with our appearances. I think guys won't admit it out loud, but mine will. He was uncomfortable and wanted to make a change! I am proud of him!

We are excited for July! A lot will be happening! We have to buy another memory card for our camera because the one we had is FULL. So I haven't been taking too many photos. But have no fear! There will be more fun photos of our family to come! Enjoy the rest of June!

Carie's Weight Loss Journey - Week 3

I am still receiving emails and messages from people who have been inspired by my story and progress so far! Some are friends, some are complete strangers who have stumbled across my blog. I want to say to all of you that I am here for you! I need just as much support as you! Good luck and good job to you all!

The weather this week has been amazing! It's been wonderful to get outside with my girls and run around in the yard! They love running all over and I love that I can now keep up with them! A HUGE accomplishment for me! This lifestyle change has been wonderful for my family! I can tell the difference in my husband and in my girls! They are my motivation! But when I get discouraged, this is what I think of...

Monday, June 18th - I walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie! It was Ab day and we were worked hard!

Tuesday, June 19th - I did some serious deep cleaning on my house. I was a sweaty mess! I started the first workout on the Couch to 5K running plan! Karmen and I jogged and walked together for a total of 25 mintues! We did very good!

Wednesday, June 20th - I walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie! It was another hard day! Jamie had run her first workout for the Cto5K workout that morning, so we were both dragging our feet! But we pushed through it and felt exhausted awesome afterwards!

Thursday, June 21st - Second workout of the Couch to 5K running plan! I jogged to Jamie's house, then we both walked to the track. We walked about 5 laps before everyone showed up! Then Jamie, Karmen, Deidre, and I ran the 25 minute workout together! It was awesome to have 4 of us working together! Deidre and I were in Track in High School, so running on the track was very nostalgic for us! I got a ride home because I was way too tired!

Friday, June 22nd - I walked to and from Zumba with Jamie! We both walked slower than usual, but our bodies were very sore from the previous day! We made it through the workout, but the last song before cool down was hard for me to find the extra energy for that added umph for the big finish. I came home and my husband and I decided to spend the evening with our girls. With all the working out, we still need to find time to spend time as a family! The 5 of us! 

Here is my progression photos of just my left side. (I don't want to overload this post with photos of each side! But you can tell the greatest change in my side!) Here you go:

Here are my Start to Week 3 photos:

Start Weight: 202 lbs

Week 1 Weight: 193 lbs

Week 2 Weight: 190 lbs

Week 3 Weight: 190 lbs

Weight Lost Since Last Week: 0 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 12 lbs

Weight To Go: 55 lbs

I have officially hit my first plateau! And that is alright! I knew it was going to happen! I was just waiting to see when! Well... it's here! Even though I've started the Cto5K workouts, my body is still adjusting to my lifestyle change. Even though my weight hasn't changed, my body has! 

I took measurements my first day, and decided that since there was no weight loss this week, I'd take my measurements instead. And each week that there is no weight loss, I'd measure myself! I was blown away with some of my results!

Waist

Start: 40 1/2"

Week 3: 37 1/2"

Inches Lost: 3"

Hips

Start: 47"

Week 3: 45 1/2"

Inches Lost: 1.5"

Bust

Start: 45"

Week 3: 42 3/4"

Inches Lost:  2 1/4"

Belly (Widest part of my "pooch")

Start: 45 1/2"

Week 3: 45"

Inches Lost: 1/2"

Right Thigh

Start: 27"

Week 3: 26"

Inches Lost: 1"

Left Thigh

Start: 27 3/4"

Week 3: 26 3/4"

Inches Lost: 1"

Total Inches Lost: 9.25"

My change is in the numbers! And I am very, very happy with how far I've come in the last 3 weeks! Seems crazy to me that it's been that long! It has been an amazing three weeks and I am looking forward to next week!

I have also signed up for the Des Monies Color Run on October 6th! It is a 5K run where at each checkpoint, a different color gets thrown on you! It will be my first 5K since High School! And it's on Vivian's first birthday! I am WAY pumped!

I have many goals, but the one I keep in mind the most is this...

Father's Day 2012

Charles Dean. I love this man...

He is the man on my dreams! Literally!

From the first moment I met him, I knew he was a great person. A kind, caring, compassionate, and thoughtful man. I fell in love fast!

He was the man that took me to the temple to be married and sealed together for time and all eternity. I needed a man who was steadfast in the gospel and could help me in my journey. Charles has never pulled me along or pushed me from behind... he has stood by my side and held my hand. Loving me. Supporting me.

From the moment we found out that we were going to be parents, I was thrilled to have such a wonderful man to be the Father of my children. When we found out we were having a baby girl, I knew that my little girl would be Daddy's girl! And from the moment Caitlin entered the world (5 weeks early), she has had her Daddy wrapped around her finger!

The first few months of her life, Charles proved to me that he was a natural father! He helped me out so much, rocked Caity to sleep when I was beyond exhausted, and always helped me with her. When we found out that we would be welcoming another baby girl into our family, I was beyond thrilled to have two Daddy's Little Girls! And when Rosalie entered the world, she had an instant bond with her Daddy!

Charles was a fantastic father of two! He had a harder time adjusting to having two babies (we both did...), but he did it with such grace and love. We both took turns letting the other get extra sleep and having one-on-one time with each girl. Both girls just loved their Daddy! And you could tell that in an instant!

When we found out that we would be welcoming our third daughter into our family, we were beyond ecstatic! ANOTHER Daddy's Girl! We didn't have a lot to prepare for, having two other little ladies at home, so the pregnancy was quite enjoyable for us both!

By the time Vivian entered the world, she has been attached to her Daddy! He is the one she wants to rock her to sleep, to sing to her, and to give her cuddles when he gets home from work.

Even though Vivian is only 8 months old, I had the girls make Charles a book for Father's Day this year that showed him how much they love their Daddy. Caitlin and Rosalie were the artists, Vivian offered some slobber and sneezes! But it was a wonderful gift for the Father of my daughters.

I thank God each and everyday for Charles. He is the one for me. I am so blessed that he chose me. He has given me three beautiful daughters and I am excited to see what our future son(s) look like! When the timing is right, of course! Having a baby is not in the plans as of yet, but that's another reason why I love my husband so much. He is so in tune with the Spirit. He always knows when the timing is right to talk about that sort of thing. Although our youngest two daughters were planned for, they just came unexpectedly early!

He is the best Father for my children. The love that radiates off of our children when he walks in the door is almost blinding. And if he's had a bad day, he puts everything aside and is excited to see our girls and greets them with kisses and hugs.

Happy Father's day to the man who still gives me butterflies and makes me weak at the knees.

I word you, Charles Dean! Come what may!

Carie's Weight Loss Journey - Week 2

I have inspired so many people already! It truly is an amazing thing! I am deeply humbled and touched by the many people who have started their own weight loss journey. I wish you all the best! Good, good luck!

I haven't done as much this week as I did last week, but we've had a lot going on within our family and it has taken up quite a bit of our time. Things have been extremely difficult, and I will not go into detail for privacy reasons, I do ask for your prayers. For me and for my side of the family.

I have attended each Zumba class since June started. I am very proud of myself! I have worked around what we have going on, grocery shopping, and breastfeeding to be able to go to Zumba. I have even recruited a friend to attend the classes with me! And she LOVES it! Zumba isn't for everyone, but she really enjoys the workout and it makes me happy to know that she is now in control of her weight loss journey!

Monday, June 11th - I walked to Zumba with Jamie, had an amazing workout (my sweat cried pretty hard!), and I jogged home. I had to stop, but I continued to jog the whole way!

Tuesday, June 12th - I went for a walk in the evening to work out some things in my head and pray. It was very nice and I needed it. I generally left all my baggage with the Lord and said, "Thy will be done!"

Wednesday, June 13th - I walked to and from Zumba with Jamie. We worked our tails off and had a lot of fun!

Thursday, June 14th - I went on an evening walk with Karmen and talked about my family issues. It was nice to get an "ousiders" view of everything. We also discussed recipes, friends, and that we need to hang out more often!

Friday, June 15th - I walked to Zumba with Jamie and met Colleen and Karmen there! It was awesome to have so many people I know there! We were all working hard and it has been paying off! I feel stronger, I'm sweating more, and I'm feeling great!

Here are my week by week progress photos! Start - Week 1 - Week 2

Here are my Start to Week 2 progression photos!

Start Weight: 202 lbs

Week 1 Weight: 193 lbs

Week 2 Weight: 190 lbs

Weight Lost since last week: 3 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 12 lbs

Weight To Go: 55 lbs

I have decided to start the Couch to 5K workouts. Not only to help lose weight, but so that I can start running again. I never thought that it'd be so difficult to start over. Running came to easliy to me growing up, and now it's something that I need to work on!

All I think of when I think of myself starting to run again is this:

See you next week!

It's almost Summer!

Even though it isn't quite Summer yet, the weather has been hot for the Spring. I know that Iowa weather is famous for changing so much, but it has been giving me whiplash! Seems like I'm alternating the extra clothes in the diaper bag every other day from long sleeves and pants to short sleeves and shorts! Even deciding what type of pajamas the girls wear to bed is becoming a chore! But I know that Summer is coming fast and I soon won't have to worry about changing this around anymore! (THANK GOODNESS!)

Caitlin and Rosalie have enjoyed the reward system for using the potty. Yes, you read that right, Caitlin AND Rosalie! Although Rosalie hasn't actually gone on the potty, she will sit and pretend. I think she'll be ready in no time! I reward Caity with a Dum-Dum sucker usually, but I was out of them and only had Ring-Pops. Needless to say, I think the girls really enjoyed their reward that day!

One of the colder mornings, it was raining and the girls asked to go outside. I told them no and they were very upset. So I decided to set up Rosalie's new Disney Princess Kitchen set. It was very, very hard for them to wait, but luckily the set-up was very simple and fast. It took me about 20 minutes to set it up, and they played and played for HOURS! Vivian even joined in!

Vivian Rane turned 8 months on June 6th! It is seriously hard to believe! I think I'm in denial! And although we know that she is not our last child, it is still a little bittersweet to see her growing up so fast! She is officially crawling and talking now! She can almost clap her hands and she will wave bye-bye! She is eating food on her own and gets VERY upset if we try to help her.

Happy 8 Months, Miss Independent, my Vivian Rane!

I am not sure if I am going to be watching Colleen's kids anymore, and it makes me a little sad. Our girls have grown quite fond of Savannah and Hunter! Yes, they fight, but only about 5% of the time. Caitlin will ask, "Is my best friend on the couch?" when she wakes up. And it saddens me when I have to say, not today. Now that Colleen is back to work, her regular babysitter will take back over.

We had the kids two days in a row. The first day Charles and I walked the kids over to his Mother's house for a picnic lunch. The kids had a blast playing on the trampoline and running around the yard. But silly me, I forgot my camera!

The next day, Charles was back to work so we hung out in the house. In the morning when I'm handing out Caitlin and Rosalie's Milk and Savannah and Hunter's juice, the kids will all sit on the big Dora puzzle mat and drink their milk/juice quietly. They all FINALLY sat still enough for me to snap a photo! And right after, Rosalie got up, picked her Dora hat up, and started being cute. So of course, I had to snap a photo of her!

I have been working out the past week and the girls love to tag along with me and do jumping jacks, sit ups (kind of), and go on walks with me. They will chant, "Go Mommy, Go!" And it makes me feel like a million dollars! With Charles and I eating healthier, the girls are eating healthier, too. They have more energy, although they already had enough to begin with! But it is wonderful to see them pretending and imagining all sorts of things throughout the day. They never cease to amaze me. And I don't think that is going to change anytime soon!