This is it! The last post that will be made from a week-to-week basis. I will be updating you all on my progress from month to month now! It's a little sad, but I plan on continuing my journey and reaching my goals! I still have quite a bit to go, so there will be more updates in the months to come!
The past 9 weeks have been difficult, hard, fun, and incredibly rewarding! I can honestly say that I am not the same person I was on June 1, 2012. I feel different. I feel better. I feel happy. I feel loved. I feel inspired. I felt not one of those things before I started this journey. I knew what was ahead of me if I kept living the way I was... I knew things were going to be hard.
But I was up for the challenge. I know that if you want something in life, you have to work for it! Few things in life are handed out. No one was going to hand me a healthier Carie! (Although that would've been awesome and a whole lot easier!) Being healthier and happier is something that only I am in control of! I ate all the food that got me where I was 9 weeks ago, and now, I am saving my life and working towards success.
Saturday, July 28th - Went to the pool with Jamie. We did some water aerobics while watching my girls. Our legs were super sore (we realized) but it was a good burn! Amber and Jake met up with us and we all had a fun time! Jamie and I ran our C25k workout later on. Mike and Karmen met up with Charles, Jamie, and myself for some bowling that night to celebrate my birthday with friends!
Monday, July 30th - Walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie!
Tuesday, July 31st - C25K with Jamie. We ran 25 minutes without stopping! I was incredibly proud of Jamie! It was not easy to do! Easier than when we started, but still difficult. We are feeling stronger and stronger! I didn't get a chance to get my other workout in because things have been so busy around here, but I did some serious deep cleaning and I was sweating like crazy!
Wednesday, August 1st - I had a dance party with my girls and by the end, I was a sweaty mess! That afternoon, I walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie! I got into the moves a little more than usual to get the extra burn, and I was feeling it! I seriously LOVE Zumba!
Thursday, August 2nd - I jogged to the Y and met up with Jamie (unplanned). I showed up as she was leaving. But she ended up staying and talking to me the entire time! I did the NuStep for 10 minutes at different intervals, then did the stationary bike for 15 minutes at different intervals. I jogged home. Later that evening, Jamie and I ran our C25K workout!
Friday, August 3rd - Walked to Zumba with Jamie! I used two toning sticks for the toning section and by the end I was a huge puddle of sweat! I honestly didn't realize that your legs could sweat so much! Karmen, Deidre, and I met up for our final weigh in afterwards.
Start to Week 9 progression photos:
Start to Week 9 photos:
Results of the BMI challenge were very close in the end! But Karen won by 1.4! She has done an amazing job and has lost 31+ pounds! Karmen and Deidre lost about 10 lbs each. So combined together, we all lost 75 lbs! SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS! Crazy!
I feel amazing! A-MAZ-ING! I look in the mirror and I'm not afraid to actually look at myself! I am so proud of the way my body has changed! I still have my baby skin, but that will tighten up with time! I'm in no hurry! I do not have a set date to reach my goal weight! I'm just going to keep going until I hit it! If it takes me 3 months or 12 months, I will hit it eventually! I am proud to have gotten rid of every single pound! I have no intention of finding them again or ever!
My plans are going to remain the same. I am going to continue going to Zumba, working out in the Cardio room at the Y, and running! Jamie and I are almost finished with the entire C25K workouts! As of today, we have 2 weeks left! Weeks 8 and 9! I am going to run at least 10 miles a week until I am finished breastfeeding Vivian in October. I will be done on her first birthday, which is also the day of the Color Run in Des Moines! Then, I am going to switch over to Half-Marathon training. It'll give me plenty of time to train for the DAM to DAM in Des Moines on June 1st, 2013. That 's my one year anniversary for my lifestyle change! Perfect timing!
Some people have asked me for some tips on how to lose weight and keep going. I have gone through a ton of websites during this journey and the things that have helped me are actually pretty simple things to remember! Here are the things that helped me through:
This is my number one tool for fool-proof weight loss. Keep track of everything, and I mean E-V-E-R-Y-THING! If it goes in your mouth, write it down. Or log it into an online food journal or diary. I use a food diary via My Fitness Pal. I love it. It opened my eyes to just how many calories I was consuming in a day.
I cannot stress how important this one is! I could not have done everything I have done without someone to push, push me, and talk to. I have had some amazing workout buddies in the past few weeks, but the one who has done almost each and every workout with me has been Jamie! This girl is one tough lady! She pushes me to do better, and I have done the same for her! We have both changed so much and grown closer together!
Most of the recipes that I have made in the past 9 weeks have been from Skinnytaste.com. The meals are delicious, filling, and light! Perfect for us! Even my kids love the food! I am a visual eater. I need to see a full plate in order to feel "full". And with most of the recipes on the website, I get a full plate and half (or less) of the calories! Our favorite recipes are: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken, Skinny Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting, and Quick Skillet Steak with Onions and Mushrooms, and Chewy Low Fat Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies.
I can count the number of times where I wanted to binge eat and just stop working out. It was hard to get over that mentally, but once I decided that I wanted to be healthier and happier, I told myself to never give up. So that is my advice to you. Do not give up. Your own journey is going to be difficult and full of struggles. But you need to push through it all and WORK! Your results will show you that you were (and are) capable of amazing things. When you are doing a workout and you want to stop because you are tired, DO NOT STOP. Unless you are hurt, of course. Otherwise, keep moving and keep pushing!
MOVE! It doesn't matter if you're walking, jogging, running, dancing, swimming, or whatever, as long as you are MOVING! Walk to the gym, walk to work (if possible), walk during your breaks at work, take the long route, have a dance party with your kids (or by yourself) for 10 minutes, anything you can do move, DO IT! If you're working out already, put a little more into it! Push yourself a little further!
Some of the snacks that I've eaten have also helped me to keep my weight coming off. I am not a dietitian or health professional in any way, but the snacks that have helped me may not help you. I also do not endorse these brands, I just like them. Some people are all about the "fat-free", "reduced-fat" foods, while others are against them. I, for one, just read the labels on the back of the things I purchase. The only thing I stay away from is the flavored drink mixes. Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Mio, etc. Most of those things have aspartame in them, I just stay away from that at all times. Here are some of the snacks that have gotten me through:
If I have learned one thing in the past 9 weeks, it is this:
There have been moments where I literally felt like I was back in high school running a workout for cross country or track. The smell outside, the weather... all of it. It felt so empowering. I had so much strength and power back then. I wasn't the fastest runner. But I could go for long distances without stopping. I could tune the world out and just go. I haven't felt that in so, so long. Until recently! And it feel so, so great! I get overwhelmed thinking about it. I miss those days of being able to just run to run. And go and go! I am getting there! I can feel it because this is usually how I look after I run:
My new motto:
Monday, July 30th - Walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie!
Tuesday, July 31st - C25K with Jamie. We ran 25 minutes without stopping! I was incredibly proud of Jamie! It was not easy to do! Easier than when we started, but still difficult. We are feeling stronger and stronger! I didn't get a chance to get my other workout in because things have been so busy around here, but I did some serious deep cleaning and I was sweating like crazy!
Wednesday, August 1st - I had a dance party with my girls and by the end, I was a sweaty mess! That afternoon, I walked to and from ZUMBA with Jamie! I got into the moves a little more than usual to get the extra burn, and I was feeling it! I seriously LOVE Zumba!
Thursday, August 2nd - I jogged to the Y and met up with Jamie (unplanned). I showed up as she was leaving. But she ended up staying and talking to me the entire time! I did the NuStep for 10 minutes at different intervals, then did the stationary bike for 15 minutes at different intervals. I jogged home. Later that evening, Jamie and I ran our C25K workout!
Friday, August 3rd - Walked to Zumba with Jamie! I used two toning sticks for the toning section and by the end I was a huge puddle of sweat! I honestly didn't realize that your legs could sweat so much! Karmen, Deidre, and I met up for our final weigh in afterwards.
Start to Week 9 progression photos:
Start to Week 9 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
Week 5 Weight: 188 lbs
Week 6 Weight: 184 lbs
Week 7 Weight: 182 lbs
Week 8 Weight: 179 lbs
Week 9 Weight: 177 lbs
Weight Lost Since Last Week: 2 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 25 lbs
Weight To Go: 42 lbs
Total Inches Lost: 23 inches
Start BMI: 32.6
End BMI: 28.6
Total BMI Down: 4.0
Total Inches Lost: 23 inches
Start BMI: 32.6
End BMI: 28.6
Total BMI Down: 4.0
Results of the BMI challenge were very close in the end! But Karen won by 1.4! She has done an amazing job and has lost 31+ pounds! Karmen and Deidre lost about 10 lbs each. So combined together, we all lost 75 lbs! SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS! Crazy!
I feel amazing! A-MAZ-ING! I look in the mirror and I'm not afraid to actually look at myself! I am so proud of the way my body has changed! I still have my baby skin, but that will tighten up with time! I'm in no hurry! I do not have a set date to reach my goal weight! I'm just going to keep going until I hit it! If it takes me 3 months or 12 months, I will hit it eventually! I am proud to have gotten rid of every single pound! I have no intention of finding them again or ever!
My plans are going to remain the same. I am going to continue going to Zumba, working out in the Cardio room at the Y, and running! Jamie and I are almost finished with the entire C25K workouts! As of today, we have 2 weeks left! Weeks 8 and 9! I am going to run at least 10 miles a week until I am finished breastfeeding Vivian in October. I will be done on her first birthday, which is also the day of the Color Run in Des Moines! Then, I am going to switch over to Half-Marathon training. It'll give me plenty of time to train for the DAM to DAM in Des Moines on June 1st, 2013. That 's my one year anniversary for my lifestyle change! Perfect timing!
Some people have asked me for some tips on how to lose weight and keep going. I have gone through a ton of websites during this journey and the things that have helped me are actually pretty simple things to remember! Here are the things that helped me through:
This is my number one tool for fool-proof weight loss. Keep track of everything, and I mean E-V-E-R-Y-THING! If it goes in your mouth, write it down. Or log it into an online food journal or diary. I use a food diary via My Fitness Pal. I love it. It opened my eyes to just how many calories I was consuming in a day.
I cannot stress how important this one is! I could not have done everything I have done without someone to push, push me, and talk to. I have had some amazing workout buddies in the past few weeks, but the one who has done almost each and every workout with me has been Jamie! This girl is one tough lady! She pushes me to do better, and I have done the same for her! We have both changed so much and grown closer together!
Most of the recipes that I have made in the past 9 weeks have been from Skinnytaste.com. The meals are delicious, filling, and light! Perfect for us! Even my kids love the food! I am a visual eater. I need to see a full plate in order to feel "full". And with most of the recipes on the website, I get a full plate and half (or less) of the calories! Our favorite recipes are: Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken, Skinny Meatloaf Cupcakes with Mashed Potato Frosting, and Quick Skillet Steak with Onions and Mushrooms, and Chewy Low Fat Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies.
I can count the number of times where I wanted to binge eat and just stop working out. It was hard to get over that mentally, but once I decided that I wanted to be healthier and happier, I told myself to never give up. So that is my advice to you. Do not give up. Your own journey is going to be difficult and full of struggles. But you need to push through it all and WORK! Your results will show you that you were (and are) capable of amazing things. When you are doing a workout and you want to stop because you are tired, DO NOT STOP. Unless you are hurt, of course. Otherwise, keep moving and keep pushing!
MOVE! It doesn't matter if you're walking, jogging, running, dancing, swimming, or whatever, as long as you are MOVING! Walk to the gym, walk to work (if possible), walk during your breaks at work, take the long route, have a dance party with your kids (or by yourself) for 10 minutes, anything you can do move, DO IT! If you're working out already, put a little more into it! Push yourself a little further!
Some of the snacks that I've eaten have also helped me to keep my weight coming off. I am not a dietitian or health professional in any way, but the snacks that have helped me may not help you. I also do not endorse these brands, I just like them. Some people are all about the "fat-free", "reduced-fat" foods, while others are against them. I, for one, just read the labels on the back of the things I purchase. The only thing I stay away from is the flavored drink mixes. Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Mio, etc. Most of those things have aspartame in them, I just stay away from that at all times. Here are some of the snacks that have gotten me through:
- Quaker Multigrain Fiber Crisps - Blackberry Pomegranate
- Quaker Rice Cakes - Caramel Corn
- Quaker Rice Cakes - Chocolate
- Nabisco Wheat Thins - Reduced Fat
- Ann's House Good Energy Blend - Soy Nuts, Cranberries, Almonds, & Pumpkin Kernels
- Ann's House Almond Granola Blend - Almonds, Raisins, Dark Chocolate Soy Nuts, Walnuts, & Chocolate Granola (not pictured)
- Orville Redenbacher Natural Popcorn - Simply Salted
- Edy's Fruit Bars - Peach
- Edy's Fruit Bars - Pomegranate
- Edy's Fruit Bars - Strawberry
- Not Pictured Foods: Great Value Pretzel Sticks, Great Value Pretzel Twists, Apples, Bananas, Carnation Instant Breakfast Powder, Celery, Green Bell Peppers, and a ton of other fruits and veggies.
The serving sizes are perfect and the calories per serving are low! Perfect for me! Perfect for my husband! He takes snacks to work to eat during his breaks, and it brings comfort to me knowing that he isn't loading up with empty calories from candy, pop, and other junk. He is getting healthy calories that will give him energy! The other bonus, most of these items always have coupons online!
If I have learned one thing in the past 9 weeks, it is this:
There have been moments where I literally felt like I was back in high school running a workout for cross country or track. The smell outside, the weather... all of it. It felt so empowering. I had so much strength and power back then. I wasn't the fastest runner. But I could go for long distances without stopping. I could tune the world out and just go. I haven't felt that in so, so long. Until recently! And it feel so, so great! I get overwhelmed thinking about it. I miss those days of being able to just run to run. And go and go! I am getting there! I can feel it because this is usually how I look after I run:
My new motto:
