Progress is Motivation!

I'm pleased to report that I have started to noticed a change!  My pants are fitting looser and I find myself tugging at them to stay up more.  WOOHOO!  The numbers on the scale are slow to move but as long as I'm noticing something, somewhere then it's a plus in my books!

Noticing this give me such motivation.  It just goes to show that my hard work and self control are beginning to pay off.  :)  I'm still hoping to hit a big number with my weight loss by the end of March.  It's looking like 30 pounds might be a little further out though.  As of right now I'm sitting at a total loss of 8 pounds.  Another 10 pounds in a month would be great!  We will see how things go!

 

While blogging today, I must share my new favorite find!  Teavana!  Last weekend James and I went and visited his parents.  They had recently found Teavana and shared their find with us.  Let me just say, I'm in love!  Teavana has all sort so different loose leaf teas.  They smell great and have an amazing flavor to them.  I've always loved tea but these tea are definitely at the tip top of my favorites list!  I have yet to try the majority of the flavors but so far I'm really liking these two:

Weight to Go Pu-erh Tea

Strawberry Lemonade Herbal Tea

 I would highly recommend Teavana to anyone, especially those who love tea like me!  :)

Motivation Monday!

I am beginning to think and realize that the slumps that I keep hitting are going to be a continual thing.  Maybe my mindset in thinking that everything should go flawlessly has been why I haven't been horribly successful at being healthy before.  Who knows.  What I do know is that I sure am motivated to get my butt in gear this week!

I have also realized that attitude has a lot to do with it.  When I get discouraged with the number on the scale or I let the negative things at work get in my head I have noticed a total drop in my commitment to the things I want to change.  I have decided that I need to start some meditation or some breathing exercises to help me clear my mind.  I have been told that this really helps.  We will see how it works for me.

I came across a workout program that I want to try for the next couple of week, courtesy of my friend Katie and Pinterest.  It can be found it HERE.  I will continue eating like I have been... monitoring my intake and counting calories.  If all goes well I could lose up to 12 pounds and 22 inches.  I'm not counting on anything as dramatic as that though.  I will be happy to see the number on the scale drop even 4 to 5 pounds and have a noticeable difference in the way my pants fit.  I will most definitely be taking my measurements tonight!

I'm ready to take on the week and see some results!  I hope everyone has a great week!

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!