Motivated!

I'm feeling great this morning.  The number on the scale has been agreeing with me this past week.  There's nothing like actually seeing the numbers go down to give you some much needed motivation!

Start your success with the LIVESTRONG.COM calorie counter.

I finally go to the store and bought my favorite multivitamin last week.  Maybe it's in my head, but I think they help me out a ton.  If nothing else, I'm at least taking a multivitamin.  :)  I'm personally a huge fan of the GNC vitamins for women.  I personally take the Women's Ultra Mega Energy & Metabolism.  Before I miscarried, I also took their prenatal vitamins.  Both were great.  

I'm rather excited for this week.  I've decided to follow James around the gym so I can utilize my time there better.  He know what to do to work each muscle group a lot better than I do.  He's worked out in the past and has done really well.  I still feel like a fish out of water when using the equipment.  I know my muscles are going to be super sore but I'm totally looking forward to it.  I know that building muscle is an important part of weight loss.  This picture shows the different in volume of fat vs. muscle.  I want more muscle than fat!

I'm also exicted for this week because I will be getting an armband from Body Media .  I have done my research and I believe this may end up being the best aid in my weight loss.  I'm getting the Link Armband, which is Bluetooth enabled.

The armband will track everything day in, day out (that includes sleep patterns).  It will then link directly to my iPhone via an app and upload all of my information there.  I will be able to view the data and make what tweaks are needed to my daily routines.  The only thing I will have to do is enter my meals.  I'm super stoked to try this out.  It says that those who have used Body Media have had 3 times more success in weight loss. 

A few other things that are helping encourage me along...

IF THIS ISN'T MOTIVATING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!

 

SOOOO TRUE!!

I AM STRONG!!

For anyone else out there trying to lose weight, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!  It might not be easy right now but it will all pay off in the end!  Something that I keep reminding myself, THIS ISN'T A DIET!  IT'S A LIFE CHANGE!  You have to realize that you aren't going to go the rest of your life without eating a piece of cake or having a bowl of ice cream.  It's all about moderation.  The sacrifices you're making now are blessing in disguise.  :)

Checking in

This week I'm feeling a little frustrated with my progress.  I just have to keep reminding myself that even though I'm not seeing any result, I'm making a difference.  I came across this the other day and I just have to keep reminding myself...

The number on the scale hasn't changed since my last post.  I have been sticking to healthy eating (less the "cheat" day I had on Sunday... a Buffalo Wild Wings opened here last week and we just couldn't resist).  I have been going to the gym at least every other day.  I not only am doing cardio.  I am also lifting weights.  Maybe the number on the scale hasn't changed because I'm actually putting on some muscle?  I think I'll go with that option so I don't get so frustrated and just want to give up all hope.  ;)

I think this is a good reminder...

Muscle takes up much less space than fat.  Muscle also helps burn more fat.  I'll take more muscle fat any day of the week!  I won't lie though, it's hard work!  My body is sore.  Since I haven't really done anything too horribly active in the past while, it is taking me a few day to get my muscles back to not sore, only to do it all over again.  It's a good kind of hurt though.  I know that I'm doing something and that something good will come of all the pain.

 

I love this!  It is exactly what I have been thinking.  I have hated the way that I look but I'm the only one to blame.  No more excuse, just hard work!  My weight isn't going to hold me back anymore!

Get fit! Be Healthy!

I don't know what had gotten into me but I just have to say that I have definitely found motivation to get fit again!  Like I said in my post yesterday, we got gym memberships.  Maybe that's what has given me the boost.  Not sure.  I just know that I am totally LOVING every ounce of motivation that I have or can find.  I feel like I'm overflowing with want to get out and get healthy!

Pinterest has been a great source of motivation for me.  Their fitness section is great.  I have found many blogs or articles worth reading, not to mention simple pictures with words of motivation.  Here are some of my favorites:

I also read a quote by Muhammad Ali that said "I hated every minute of training but I said 'Don't quit.  Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'"

Such great words of wisdom to follow!  Suffer now and enjoy the rest of your life as a fit person!  That's exactly what I want to do and I will do it!  I feel more in tune with myself and more ready to get what I want than I ever have before.

Another site that has been good for me is Livestrong.  They have apps for both iPhone and Android.  It allows you to track all calories consumed as well as any exercises you may do throughout the day.  Their online site is great too because it allows you to see a broad overview of how you're doing.  It shows you how much weight you've lost/gained to date as well as a breakdown on the calories consumed.  When I was focused on losing weight before, I had used this app and their online site and was able to lose 30lbs!  I find it very helpful and would recommend it to anyone else looking for a little guidance.

Babies, Vacation & Weightloss

It's been a while since I've posted so I thought I'd better give an update on life the past little while.

Since my last post we've had some ups and downs.  I think we are past the worst though and I'm hoping for a fabulous 2012!  Positive thinking brings positive things your way, right?  I keep telling myself that in hopes that the worst is behind us now.  :)

So to catch anyone reading up, I went back to the doc at the beginning of the month for another follow up appointment since the miscarriage.  I had been there weekly since and they were closely monitoring my HCG levels to make sure they were dropping.  I was overly nervous after the previous appointment because the doctor had told us that I may not be in the clear yet.  I hadn't had much, if any bleeding since that appointment so I felt uneasy.  They simply had me pee in a cup and did a regular pregnancy test to see what the outcome was.  NEGATIVE!  I have never been so relieved in my life.  The doc said that HCG test showed my levels being at 45 so she decided that if I got a negative pregnancy test, then we'd be in the clear!  So now I will let my body recover and we will try again in a couple months.

My sister had her sweet baby, baby Tyler.  He was born at 6:02 on December 28th, weighing in at 7lbs. 13oz and 19 inches long.  He's such a good baby.  You hardly hear him make a peep.  I love to cuddle the little guy.  I always forget how small newborns are.  They don't stay that little for long.  It's almost been 3 weeks since the little guy was born and he's already gained nearly 2 pounds.  Such a little stud.  He makes me smile through all of these tough times.

In lieu of the joy of a baby coming into our family, I find myself saddened by it too.  I see how happy my sister and brother-in-law are and I can't help but be a bit sad.  Instead of us getting to experience that happiness, we have to deal with our loss.  Don't get me wrong, I love the little guy and I am so happy he's here.  I'm ecstatic for the joy and happiness it has brought to my sister and her hubby too.  I'm sure it's just a slump, a slump that I'm not quite sure how to get past yet.  I just hope that this feeling doesn't last much longer.  It's horrible feeling depressed like this.

One a happy note, last week we were able to go on vacation.  We went to Las Vegas and attended the CES Convention (Consumer Electronics Show).  We had a blast.  The convention was huge!  In the 4 days that we were there, we didn't even get through all of the exhibits.  We saw so many cool new gadgets and came home wanting a boat load of them.  It was nice to have a bit of a break from reality too.  It was much needed!

Since coming home from our trip, I have started my weight loss journey.  Back on the wagon and eating healthy!  We went and signed up at the Gold's Gym Express near our house too.  It feels good to be active again.  I was surprised when I got on the elliptical machine for the first time in MONTHS and wasn't out of breath and kept a constant, lower heart rate the entire time.  I chalk that up to walking for days on end while we were in Vegas though. ;) 

I did put on a couple pounds (4 to be exact) while in Vegas but I noticed that my fingers and ankles seemed a bit swollen while we were in Vegas.  I dropped those 4 pounds within the first day of being home though so I'm right back to where I was before.  I was excited to get on the scale this morning to see that I have dropped 2 pounds.  I'm thinking it was all water weight but still, 2 pounds is two pounds!  That means only 28 more to go until I hit my goal!