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!