Challenge Accepted!

Tomorrow I am starting the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  Even though the challenge consists of taking a ton of pills, drinking a fiber drink that I hear is non too pleasant, eating a very strict Paleo diet, and working out.  Even though all of THAT...I'm still excited! 

I've taken the last week off of my workout routine due to a small injury.  My left hamstring and both knees just couldn't seem to get along last week with Jillian Micheals last week.  So, I took a week off to heal and hopefully, when I hit it again tomorrow, we will be back on track.  I'm guessing the fact that I work out in our barn, on cement, with no padding, doesn't help the knees/hamstring issue either, but there isn't much I can do about that. 

In preparation for the start of the challenge tomorrow, I measured myself tonight.  I also will take a day 1 picture (and a day 24 pic) so I can see them side by side.  I'm not sure how accurate the measurements will be since I did it myself but I at least have a starting point.  Dustin offered to help me with it, but I'm too ashamed for him to see the numbers.  I know, I know...I don't make any sense.  I strut around the house in nothing but my bra and underwear, not caring if he sees me.  (maybe even a little secretly proud when he looks at me!)  but there is too much honesty in the actual numbers.  I can't be that honest with him.  Or with you.  Sorry...I'm just not there yet. 

So anyhow, wish me luck as I get back to the diet hard core!  I'm hoping this will be the boost that gets me over this weight loss plateau.  I've got 40 (at least) pounds to go yet. 

On the plus side, I bought a new pair of capris this week and they are 4 sizes smaller than what I wore last year at this time.  I'm going to celebrate that small victory!

A day at the Zoo

This past week, little M and I joined our friends Lisa and Grace at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.  M had never been to the zoo before and was beside herself with excitement! 



As hard as I tried, I don't think I got one single picture where Gracie is looking at the camera.

The giraffes are my favorite!

These two are like peas in a pod.  They ran ahead of us the entire day.



Ostrich babies?



We enjoyed the ostrich, who was trying to nip thru the fencing.



Peacock on her next

Joeys

This penguin was very social

M has been asking to ride a horse.  She chose this one, named Cookie, for her first pony ride.

Petting the pigs.  She wanted to pet every single animal and couldn't understand why most were off limits.



M loved the donkey

Brushing the goats

M has really been into giving hugs and kisses lately.  Even the goats received hugs from her!

I enjoyed getting to spend my day with this girl! 

 

The zebras were M's favorites

M fed the giraffe a lettuce leaf.  Then it licked her on top of the head.  Of course I was a few seconds off on getting the picture of her getting licked.  :(  Look at that loooong tongue!

M wanted to pet the crocodile!  I told her they weren't friendly and she pointed out that he must be because "him smiying (smiling) at me."



The otters were very playful and put on a great show while we watched.

Such beautiful birds


All in all it was a fabulous spring day:  the weather was warm and breezy, the animals were very active, and the air was filled with little girls giggles!

 

Progress Photo Shoot

So...this is a hard one for me to post.  I've had several people asking to see before and after pictures so here goes nothing. 

Let me preface all this by saying I ABHOR having my picture taken!  I HATE IT!  I LOATHE IT!  And, even more than that, I severely dislike the "selfies taken in a bathroom" trend that seems to be "cool" nowadays.  How tacky!  But, for you, I will break all my rules, and will post a few nasty self pics.

Keep in mind there were taken post-workout so I look like dog doo.  My hair ain't done, I'm flushed, and workout clothes are not flattering on anyone but tall and skinnies like Barbie.  And, please pardon my messy bathroom.  We do not have a single full length mirror in our home (nor do I want one.  I do NOT want to see any more of this gaggy body than I have to!)  This bathroom mirror is the biggest/longest mirror I have so I had to use it to get a body shot.

Also, I had not planned on anyone but me seeing these pictures when I took them.  In fact, I didn't even plan on the hubby seeing them...or else I would have had him take them, which would have eliminated the whole "white-trash takes selfies in the bathroom" dilemma.

So...here goes nothin'.

        

  

     
  

So there it is.  Pictures don't lie.  This is me today.  All of me.  But less of me. 

So, there ya have it.  Pics on the top were from Day 1, the picture directly below that is 40 lbs lighter.  I've still got 45 lbs to go but, I'm getting there!  And, I know you can't see it in the picture all that well, but I am firming up and gaining muscles.  My arms are getting nicely defined for a fat girl.  When I lose the rest of the weight I will have some majorly ripped guns! 

And, because I can't leave you with those disgusting pictures scarred on your retinas, here's a before and "progress" (not "after" because I'm not done) when I'm actually dressed. 

 

 

You can't tell from these pics but my double chin is slowly disappearing.  I cannot tell you how happy that makes me!  **Just thinking about that makes me want to do a happy dance!**  The camera angles here actually make my "before" (on top) look smaller than my "progress" picture.  Go figure! 

 

So, when I get discouraged, I look at these pictures to show myself that yes, I AM making progress.  Hopefully by putting myself out there, and exposing my ugly, I encourage you to keep at your goals as well. 

Trophy Wife!

My husband deserves a trophy for putting up with me.  And a trophy wife to hang on his arm.  I'm working on it. 

Several years ago, before all the infertility mess started, I made an appointment with the Dr to question why I had all of a sudden gained 80 plus pounds.  Yep, you read that right.  I don't lie.  Truly, in a span of 6 months or so, I packed on the weight like crazy.  At first I assumed it was due to lifestyle change.  You know, the whole "I'm married now and I eat what my husband eats" type weight gain.  But it came on so quick it was a little concerning. 

So, I went to the Doctor.  Doc was also concerned and tested me for what seemed like everything under the sun.  Thyroid, Diabetes, Cushings syndrome, etc...  And finally I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome.  I won't bore you with all the details of it, other than to say that PCOS makes it very difficult to lose weight.  And very difficult to keep it off. 

Am I making excuses?  No.  Okay, maybe a little bit.  But truly, I have always been pretty active and for the most part a decent eater.  But it hasn't been enough. 

So, a few months ago I looked in the mirror and decided ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  I made a vow to lose the weight and to keep it off!  I've been following Weight Watchers (though admittedly very loosely...who has time for all the tracking crap?!) and have made it a goal to work out at least 6 days a week.  I have been doing the Jillian Micheals Body Revolution and am actually really enjoying it (after the fact...during the workouts I often just want to punch that perky Jill right in the neck.)  I enjoy most sports and any type of outdoor activity except running.  I hate running!  I will go for a very brisk walk and enjoy it immensely!  In fact, I'm always looking for people to go for a walk with.  Give me a call!  But ask me to run?  No way!  If you see me running, you had better run too because something BAD is coming close behind me. 

So, I'm down 40 lbs.  Yea me!  But I've still got AT LEAST 40 more to come off this frame!  I'm firming up, I'm building muscle.  I can tell a difference in my arms for sure.  And my blubber gut is shrinking, though not nearly as fast as I would like.  I'm down 6 jeans sizes (but I'm super super cheap so I have only bought one new pair.  I just wear my old jeans looking like the saggy baggy elephant!  That's hot, right?!?)

I've been stuck at 40 lbs lost for several weeks now.  I've tried changing up my eating, more intense workouts, cutting more calories, adding more calories.  Nothing seems to help.  I'm still losing inches but somehow the scale just. wont. budge.  So, I'm trying the Advocare 24 day challenge to see if the cleanse and then diet plan will be enough to get me over the hump.  I'll let you know how I feel in a week or so.  If any of you have used Advocare products I would love to hear your thoughts.  I'm looking forward to the energy boost and, truthfully, I'm even kind of excited about the clean eating.  Even though it will mean making to separate dinners each night.  Can you imagine Dustin eating healthy?  His body would probably be in such shock it would collapse on the spot.  The man lives off pizza and Doritos.  He's 6 foot tall and thin as a rail.  NOT FAIR!  But, I digress.

So....I'm working on becoming the trophy wife for the hubby.  (and for myself but that's a whole 'nother post for a different day)  Of course, I'm only 5"1' so I think I'm technically too short to qualify.  If only there were a way to stretch people.  And, I'm not blonde.  And then there's also the issue of my face.  Okay, maybe I'm NOT going to be a trophy wife.  But at least I could get back to the skinny little number he said "I DO" to.  I'll settle for that!