Day 1 : Final Journey

I have decided to start anew.  I'm going to start as if today is my day 1. I'm doing this because I am technically on Day 1 of TSFL.  So, here are my measurements

Weight = 136lbs Goal = 125lbs  (11LBS)

Height = 61 Inches (Can't imagine this changing unless I shrink when I get older...)

Waiste Circumfrance = 31 Inches

Hip Circumfrance = 38 Inches

Waist to Hip Ratio = 0.82

Jean Size: Size 8   Goal = Size 4 or 6

Outside Goal:  To maintain 125lbs until I become pregnant - After my wedding end of April I'd like to possibly try to become a Health Coach.

Now, I realize that these numbers are not horrific to some but I also have found myself making a lot of excuses lately as I try to get to my final goal.  I am in the final stretch and once again I am trying to start anew and really make good conscious choices to be healthy and happy.  So, I am somewhat beginning the program from day 1.  I am not planning on losing 5-7lbs the first two weeks like I did originally but... I want to still see the weight come off...

Here are my five reasons that will eliminate or add to my life as a result of achieving optimal health and my ideal weight

1. Confidence

2. Sense of Accomplishment

3. Energy

4. Inspiration

5. Wedding Worthy - Happy Health life worthy of being lived and shared

Current photo:

Day 1 of motivation

I am attending a conference and trying to stay on track. Currently attending a discussion topic on obesity and outdoor recreation.  

Hoping to keep me motivated to continue to lose weight. Really want to get to 125lbs. Currently at 135lbs... 10 more lbs to go!

Day I don't know...

I think it's time to go back to blogging. Mostly because I've been so bad lately abou staying on the path. I'm not completely off but I'm not making the best decisions either, for instance, halloween.  I had too many sweets. I didn't have nearly as many as I would have had a year ago today or even a few months ago but I definitely ate more than I wanted to.  Right now I'm at 135lbs and I want to lose another 10lbs.  

I'm struggling because I'm so close which I knew was going to happen. I'm about to head to DC for a conference tomorrow and planning to really just make very good choices - bringing Medifast meals with me and workout clothes.  Really going to try to be conscientious about my decision making in regards to my meals. 

I think I might need to go back to being very strict about my lean and green. If there's one thing I've gotten a bit slack on it's that. 

Wish me luck! Trying to find the motivation again!

Day 75 TSFL

So I am offiically hitting a plauteau and to put it bluntyly, it sucks.  I am incredibly discouraged and all I can say it's like a have a TSFL angel on one shoulder and a you're so incredibly stressed who cares devil on my other shoulder. Today was incredibly difficult for me in regards to so many emotions and just stress surrounding the wedding. I got up at 530am to go to the gym. Today was my swimming laps day so I was hoping to do 1,000 but instead I really couldn't get my goggles to be on okay so I swam 700 instead but was mostly just grumpy. I was grumpy mostly because I woke up for the second week weighing about 139lbs.  I weighed in at some point at 138.6 then went up to 139.6 and just can't seem to dip below that for wahever the reason... I'm working out regularly and staying to the lean and green and doing things like I normally have.  My body just doesn't want to cooperate.  

So to get back to me being bad today. i slipped out of annoyance with the platueau. At lunch I had a salad (good, yes), corn (okay), and then s spoon full of potatoes. Obviously the potatoes was my slip up.  I really enjoyed them but then felt very guilty that I was giving in with my willpower.  

Tomorrow I'm doing the food tasting for the wedding so I'm a bit nervous where I'll be. I do not want to regress and lose my healthy habits but I really also want to see progress. :(

Day 68 TSFL

Happy first day of life Daniel James Harter!  I was so blessed to be able to go up and see my nephew for the first time and be there to help out with Caitlin while he was delivered!  Even as I was heading straight from work I was really excited because I knew I had made good decisions. I had packed extra medifast meals "just in case" and I stopped quickly at McDonalds to get something. I ordered a fillet o fish without cheese (best thing I could think of), took a couple of bites, took the bun off, and then ate the rest. Overall, for eating a lean and green on the run in a pitch I thought I did pretty good.

Now some cute pics to share :) Better pics were taken on my phone....

Day 66 TSFL

Going to buy a new raincoat today since I met my 140lb weight!  I'm at 139lbs. Woo-hoo!  This may be hurting my wallet a bit but I'm so excited. My old raincoat is about 10yrs old!

Day 64 TSFL

At this point I've lost almost 28lbs! It feels great! Weighed in this morning at 140.2!  It's great but I realize that I've also sort of lost touch of the whole idea of blogging every day. I realize that this could be a disservice to otheres who may be interested in TSFL and are wondering how it's going so I will try to do better.  I initally started blogging because you can easily see your progress and look back at frustrations and then see progress again. I also wasn't quite sure how successful I would be so I kind of tried to do the scientific approach.  Now that I've changed my lifestyle and realize some of the hurdles it's harder for me to realize that blogging can still be impactful for others.

I found out today a good friend of mine has decided to start TSFL due to my progress. I was REALLY extremely excited that she decided to give it a shot. It's somewhat addicting because I want to see everyone have the same success.  Chris was asking me if I thougth she'd do well and I said yes because she's very competitive and stubborn and won't give up!  I think a lot of the reason I started this journey was for my health (blood clot scariness) but it turned into one of my obsessions where I was very aware of what I was eating and doing and putting into framework of what I want to get out of life.  

For instance, I still have 10lbs to lose. Although now that I'm so close I think I'd like to be closer to 125lbs so closer to 15lbs.  Looking at my schedule and Chris's schedule we really aren't going to see each other much the next couple of weeks and I had eaten my lean and green at lunch because of my class trip.  Instead of tell him I couldn't do dinner and be with him or go out and eat like he wanted I decided that my relationship and building on that, but doing it with health in mind. So, I went out and had a second lean and green meal with him and just got something that was a grilled Mahi at the restaurant and focused on us.  I actually didn't gain anything and lost weight the next day (rock climbing and eating healthy).  But, I also know that this isn't a diet and that there are times when I'm going to have to work outside of the parameters but I also know when that's appropriate and when it isn't now.  

Feeling happy :)

Day 50 - 52 TSFL

My Weight Loss Journey (Half way there)

I do not claim to be an expert at this "blogging" thing. In all honesty, I'm probably pretty bad at it. But I started out with the intent of doing something and being completely honest. At this point today I can say I honestly have made an impact in my life for the better.  Today is the day that I'm going to share the blog with all of my friends in celebration - not fear or anxiety.  I have lost over 20lbs in just over 50 days by making healthy choices, changing my life style and sticking to a proven system. I had a conversation today with my health coach, Teresa Trella, and really firmly believe that I am now a huge advocate for the Take Shape For Life plan and program through this experience.  Yes, I am getting supplemental meals at this time so I am eating somewhat designated food, but it feels different. I'm creating.... no..... I've created healthy habits where I eat every 2-3 hours.  I look to eat lean meals at restaurants. I don't let what I can or can't eat control me like on some diets but really try to just make good decisions as I'm trying to read a total weight loss of 35-40lbs.  

So - let's take a step back... I started this journey probably over the summer whether I admit it or not. I, at the ripe age of 28, got a blood clot in my leg from sitting down too much on a drive and for whatever other reasons were out there. I was really struggling with the fact I didn't feel physically fit for my job at a recreation sports center, and honesty was avoiding pictures with my fiancé.  I knew things had to change. I considered weight watchers (which I did successfully in college but then bounced back after being diagnosed with thyroid).  I had tried off and on to just make good decisions when it came to eating but nothing was working.  Fortunately, I had made a friend at my church in New York who led the Youth Group and had become Facebook friends with her. Every day for 30 days she posted an inspiring story about people who had followed the Take Shape For Life method and program and lost and kept the weight off.  

At some point I contacted her and said, okay, tell me more. I was inspired by the stories but skeptical to see whether I could do the same. One of the perks was that I was eating Medifast five times a day and then was responsible for another small meal on my own.  Given the fact cooking terrifies me it was a good way to kind of wean me into trying out new things... The good thing was I had set meals that I tasted good and I didn't really have to think about it that much.  

As time passed, I got more interested in what the program was about and was surprised and excited about the foundation being really to get America and the world healthy.  I didn't feel like it was a plug for the meals or anything, having a coach made it about the overall impact.  

This being said - I still have some to go.  To put it out there (which is sad and embarrassing) I weighed around 168lbs and was 5'1 a week or two before I started this program.  I now weight 143.8 and it keeps going down. My goal is to get to 130 or a little lower which is ideal for my height and age.  

I honestly don't share this to try to see anybody on anything but because it was something I promised myself I would do. It's been my goal to personally track my progress, frustrations, energy, in a blog so I could look back and see progress along the way to help with motivation or to prove the program didn't work.

Looking forward I know I can do this and I know that I have so much more energy and feel so much better about myself.  Bringing all of my friends and family into this journey is a bit scary but you are all a part of my life. I promise I will not post links every day to Facebook or wherever about my blog for the day because I honestly don't think a lot of times it's that interesting. I will try to share milestones with happy events in my life.

With Love,

Mo 

Day 49 TSFL

Excited for my official weigh in tomorrow. I'm getting closer to 145 and feeling so much better in my clothing!  It's amazing how much more confidence I have.  Tomorrow I also go back to work which means I start my formal workout... I did take dogs for a walk today but nothing else too intensive.

Monday = weights

Tuesday = swimming

Wednesday = weights

Thursday = running

Friday = off

Saturday = Ropes Course

Sunday = Ropes Course

Day 48 TSFL

Hard to keep this up to date nowadays just because all I have to say is positive. I keep seeing my weight decrease and I'm not incredibly hungry or anything like that. Today was definitely a very lazy day though. It was a football watching day so I actually took a couple of naps and just was sitting around.  I think the fact I wasn't up and moving made me tired to be honest.  

I plan to be more active tomorrow but definitely kick it into higher gear when I'm at work since that is when I have the ability to use the services at the recreation sports center. 

Day 45 TSFL

Today was another healthy day. I was able to swim 1000m without any real issues. It felt great! I also got a call from my health coach and was excited to talk to her. I've been really making great progress and feeling great.  I'm moving and grooving.  Not much else to post. Staying very busy with teaching classes and work which is GREAT. I wish I could be home more often but with a 40 minute commute, working out prior to work, I'm away from home for nearly 12 hours every day. I couldn't do any of this without the love and support of my fiancé. He's making this a truly wonderful experience. 

Day 44 TSFL

Today was great as far as my journey to a healthier me. I woke up at 545 am with a decent amount of energy and got on the road. I got to the rec center with plenty of time so I walked for 15 minutes and then did weights.  I really enjoy getting my workout in the AM done and over. I then spent the rest of the day working around campus. I got to teach 2 beginning rock climbing classes and 1 EDL 100 course.  So Much Fun!  I really enjoy teaching and doing this with college kids. It makes the fact I've been gone for 12 hours a day really doable.  

I have been able to keep to the plan pretty well. I had a DELICIOUS salad around 3pm with a thing of tuna.  There was spinach, tomatoes, egg, fish, onion, and a little bit of some sort of apple vinegorette in there. It was not very huge but it tasted delicious and I knew that a lot of it was very good for me.  I didn't eat all of my tuna so I figured it was still a very lean and green meal overall.  

Happy & excited to do it all over again Thursday! Tomorrow is my swimming day :) 

Day 43

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I did my weigh in this morning and I only lost a half a pound so I weighed in at 149.  Trying not to get discouraged since I know that doing cake testing the other day did not help but I think it's pretty great that I can do cake testing and still lose something right?! As I mentioned very excited to earn my 150 goal of going to the zoo and doing something a little bit more active.  Maybe I'll try to post some pics later. Trying to update early so I don't feel bad later on today when I forget to post.  

Looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow and my routine of exercising in the AM.  Tomorrow I plan to do weights. 

Day 42

Today was another lazy day but Chris and I got a lot of house projects done which includes putting together one of our guest rooms.  This required me to go through a lot of old pictures of when I was younger or in high school. It was very fun to go through. It always amazes me how insecure I felt at that age about my looks and how fat I felt but yet looking back I was quite pretty and skinny.  Oh to have perspective and confidence I guess. It was great looking back and seeing pictures of all of my old friends too. Makes me want to purchase one of those scanner things that automatically uploads pics.  I have some great ones!  

I found myself getting some extra sleep yesterday so I was a bit off with meals.  After cake testing yesterday I'm not quite sure how tomorrow will go with weigh in but I'm excited to go to the zoo tomorrow and get some exercise in the next few days to jump start!

Day 41

Yesterday was not a great day for me making healthy choices.  I did try to eat healthy things but really felt like I was very lazy (physically).  I didn't really do anything other than drive around for appointments and didn't do any chores or anything so for the most part I was a lazy bum in a lot of ways. It didn't help that it rained and poured in the evening when I was hoping to go for a walk.  I wish we had an exercise room in our house but we don't so therefore I just sort of hung around. One of the bad things about commuting 40 minutes to work every day and working at a Rec Center is I don't have a gym nearby and driving 40 minutes to go to work just seems like a waste of gas especially if ti's just one day. Hopefully the weather will hold off a bit more today so I can at least go for a walk around the block or something. Still hoping for tomorrow's trip to the zoo which will be a a lot of walking as well. 

Oh well - every day can't be a success I guess. 

Day 40 TSFL

Had the day off today and it was really nice to have some relaxing time. I also had lunch at Uno's with my fiancé.  I had the salmon and it was absolutely delicious. I did a lot of running around so I'm hoping that my body still burned enough calories to make a difference despite not really doing formal exercise like I've done the past few days.  Tomorrow is cake testing and hanging out with friends! Will probably get put back in the three day restart again but will make good decisions other than just tasting a bit of the cake but like I said,  this is a lifestyle not a diet so I'm not going to just ignore things I want to do.

Day 39 TSFL

Today I ran for forty five minutes on the elliptical,  and I wanted to keep going! I feel like I'm finally getting to the point where I really enjoy working out and exercising. My body wants to burn calories and get healthy. It's a great feeling.  I'm hoping to see some progress but am not sure about this weekend since I'll be doing a cake testing on Saturday.... 

The last couple of weeks I've seen so much progress, I'm thinking this week might not be as significant, which will be a letdown but I need to keep my health the priority. 

Day 38 TSFL

Today was so much fun! Just got back from bowling with some friends and had a great job. Multiple people commented on how well Im looking and that it's noticeable I'm losing weight. Definitely puts you in a good mood!  I started off the day by swimming laps in the swimming pool which felt GREAT!  I'm still working on drinking more water while at work just because I tend to get tunnel vision but doing better at it which is great.  Looking forward to tomorrow. 

Day 37

Put on a pair of pants today that I haven't been able to wear comfortably for at least a couple of years. Needless to say I'm pretty excited. Spent this morning working out at the Rec Center (lifting weights). The plan is to swim tomorrow morning which I'm really looking forward to as well!  I get so excited to watch the weight fall off. I have to admit that I'm going to be ordering my food differently this time around though. I think I ordered too many shakes - I would much rather snack on cereal, or any of the to go bars and I just didnt' order a lot of those this time around.  

I did not weigh myself this morning and I have to admit it's been hard thinking about all day hoping that I am continuing to lose weight since my activity has decreased since last week.  This is why I'm trying to really hit hard on the formal exercise.  Plus, if I don't do something I have too much energy to actually fall asleep!

Day 36

Today I officially did my Monday weigh in at 149.6. It felt great! I also went through my closet and tried on my jeans and am fitting into size 10s and 12s again instead of barely fitting into my 12s and pushing 14s. My one size 14 jeans don't even stay on my hips - they just slide right off - feels GREAT! I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting down to a size 6 o 8 soon.  Honestly, I'm probably a size 10 but I don't really want to to go out and buy new jeans quite yet since I'm still transitioning so that might have to wait until I'm closer to my 130 mark.  

Today I had so much energy! I took the dogs for a walk as my exercise and I'm planning to wake up early and go into the rec center early to workout.  I really want to lift some weights and get back into the routine of formal exercise. There is NO way I could have done any sort of exercise this past week with all of the activities I was doing, (ropes course, rock climbing, canoeing, zip lining, etc.)  

I'm hoping that I will continue to see this trend of more than 2lbs a week weight loss but realize that I might still see this plateau or less of an impact because of going back to working less programs and more of a sit-down job.  Getting fit has really made me realize how much I really wish I had a standing desk though to keep me on my feet more.  That, or maybe bring an exercise ball into work to work on.... Who knows - I still get up and move around more than most people do at work so that's a plus.  I do love my job.

Hoping tomorrow I'll have a good workout!