Are Y'all Ready For This?!!?

Today...da da da daaaaaaaa... da da da daaaaaa... is FINAL WEIGH IN MONDAY! I'm going to put it all out there for you. I'm so happy I took this challenge to be a better me and SO MANY BIG THANKS to my friends JENN A. and SARAH C. who did it right along with me. They're who really kept me going when I wasn't really losing. This week was a doozy but I let it be because it was the last one I lost a total of 6.8 lbs. Officially that's 15.2% of my body weight lost in 8 weeks and honestly I worked out a lot and honestly I didn't eat sweets (hardly at all) and honestly it really wasn't THAT HARD after the first two weeks. Total weight lost 24.8 lbs. My body has been retrained.

My husband even said at dinner last night while chatting with my younger brother and eating Asparagus and chicken soup, "After tomorrow we're still going to eat like this." I was happy that he didn't feel like what I was making to eat was sacrificing anything. However, I think we WILL go back to having some "treat meals" every once in a while. We need some comfort foods in our lives. Really though, my kiddos have complained of having TOO MUCH SOUP, cries of "soup again" will not be heard for a while.

The proof is in the pudding right?!?!? So here goes...

First pic is me a year ago. Second pic was me a couple of weeks ago after a workout. Same shirt (just looks different) now is so baggy.

This is me today (Aaron was my photographer) Those were my goal pants that I bought after having Jonah and I was so happy to FINALLY be able to squeeze into them but now they are so baggy they don't even look good anymore. I now where a size 8 easily and size 6 in a lot of things. I bought a size small shirt the other day too! THAT is a first!

I can't find the measurements I took a couple of weeks back to compare because I actually cleaned my desk but if I ever do I'll post the inches lost from midway through the comp 'til now. I didn't think to measure myself in the beginning.

Super Strict Crazy Woman On Board

I'm being really hard on myself this week seeing as it's the last week of the Biggest Loser Competition. I'm still eating healthy, but I've cut out all bad carbs, NO SWEETS, just veggies, fruits and lean proteins. I'm hoping for my biggest loss yet. I'm doing something a little different with my workouts too. Hopefully changing it up will be a shock for my body and it will "like" the changes. I only have two more days 'til final weigh in and I'm feeling GREAT! Excited for the big reveal. I'm so appreciative for all of the support I've received these last eight weeks. I'm also grateful to all the ladies in this competition...their devotion and hard work has truly inspired me. It's been so good LOSING alongside them. Hope you have a great weekend and here's a little tribute to creative cropping...
Yeah, I know this is just about unbearable to look at and I wouldn't even be showing you all this if it wasn't for how secure I am now in my body. I can't believe my husband didn't say..."Hey, honey, maybe you shouldn't wear white...I REALLY love you!" Oh well, I shocked a bunch of tourists in California...sorry for the sore eyes.
Thanks to Photoshop, I now look at least half way presentable...for posterity and all you know.

Weigh In Monday: Week 8

A little frustrated...I was REALLY good. I ate well (wondering if I'm not eating ENOUGH?!?!, but I'm not hungry ever) and worked out extremely hard but the results were just not there for me.

I lost less than I wanted to and I'm wondering if my body is just slowing down because it's getting to a comfortable place of weight. I feel pretty amazing but I'd like to say goodbye to at least another 4.8 pounds.
I began this weightloss journey knowing that I wanted to do it "the right way"...sustainably...no pills, no cleanses, no fad "diets". I wanted to work out, eat healthy, cut out the sugar and still be able to eat with my family. It has worked so well so far. I know it's something that I'll keep doing once the eight weeks are over. Even though I may not win this competition, I'VE WON... I have gained power over my body again... I'm in control.
I'll continue on this journey and see where I end up.
This week I lost 1.2 lbs. I know, it's a pound +, it's something, but it's not what I wanted to see. Maybe last week's 5 threw my body off. Who knows. I was also super stressed about the cub scout Blue & Gold banquet and pulling it all together. I have now lost 11% of my bodyweight in seven weeks, crazy! I'm grateful for the support of my friends and my husband who has been an amazing help this go 'round for me. Here's to the final five!!!!! Wish me luck.My honey and I at the Grand Canyon. I can't believe I thought this shirt looked cute. I'm practically bursting out of it! I am happy with me now.

Weigh In Monday:Week 7

It's weigh in Monday again and it's a happy one. Last week I recorded no weight loss...well it was really .2 but how could I count that as an actual loss?!? That's okay though because my body was good to me this week and actually did what I wanted. I was so good, even for Valentine's Day. The best part is that I'm never hungry. I eat all good stuff and I never feel starved.

This week I'm down a total of 5 pounds. I am just amazed, really, amazed by what my body has been able to do...what I have been able to control about myself...namely my chocolate obsession. I never thought I could get through a day without chocolate but now it's no big deal. I want to be the best me that I can be and I'm getting closer and closer to my goal weight. I have to say that having my hubby support me in this has been a HUGE help. He still eats what he wants , but luckily it's not stuff I crave, he makes sure of that. Well, here's hoping for another great week. FYI: That's a total of 16.8 pounds in SIX WEEKS. I have now lost 10.3 % of my body weight! If I can do it, so can you. Keeping track of my food intake has been THE BIGGEST HELP.

Here's a pic of me last year on Valentine's Day. We had Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet and Jakob earned his Bobcat. I thought I looked pretty good, I mean I had just had a baby six months previous. I'd like to try that shirt on now and see what I look like in a picture.

Weigh in Monday:Week 6

SOOOOOO. I JUST got home from a little jaunt to Florida that started on Thursday. I JUST weighed myself and I have mixed feelings. I'll start by saying that I spent probably a total of 48 hours of the trip either in a plane or WAITING to get on one! That's not good for weight loss, right. BUT I was still pretty good in the eating department and I did work out while I was in Florida, but I also missed a workout too. I'm just recommitting myself for this week. I'll begin again finnigan.
I've registered NO WEIGHT loss for last week. SAD, I know. Not too bad considering I spent a bunch of time on my butt (I would've done more walking but I was required to be dressed up due to the type of travel I was using). I know excuses, right!?!? Oh well. I DIDN'T go UP. So that's good. I'm exactly the same as last Monday. I feel ready to go, so bring it on!

Weigh In Monday: Week 5

Another week has come and gone. I was REALLY good this week. I worked out six days out of the week and I didn't cheat at all but unfortunately that didn't translate to bigger numbers on the scale. My body only wants to lose around three pounds a week...so far. I know that's really good in the scheme of things because I'm not taking any supplements and I'm doing this au natural. I feel so much better. I wore the cutest outfit to church yesterday... a skirt I haven't been able to fit into in quite sometime AND a jean jacket I've NEVER been able to wear since the day I bought it (it was too cute to pass up on sale). I kept telling myself that I'd slim down and be able to fit my chubby arms into the sleeves WELL it FINALLY happened...two years later. I did not want to give up on that jacket, darn it! I should've taken a picture, I guess I will when I wear it again.
I hope this week is just as good for me as last but I feel like Mother Nature is calling and I'm feeling really strong chocolate cravings which I haven't had in the past two weeks. I'm just going to push through it though and find alternatives.
So last week I lost a total of 2.8 lbs. In four weeks I am down 11.8 lbs...I like that myfitnesspal ticker just rounded up! I like seeing a nice round 12, that'll be tomorrow though. So wish me luck for this next four weeks to be as positive as the last four. WE CAN DO IT!

Like I said...Mother Nature...so here's a recipe that calmed my craving and didn't make me feel guilty.
Chocolate Chip Cookies made with white beans/no butter (I didn't use sugar either).
1 cup white beans1 cup splenda, truvia or stevia1 cup brown sugar or brown sugar splenda blend2 eggs1-2 tsp vanilla2 c. all purpose flour ( I used wheat flour)1 1/2 cups to 3 cups oatmeal finely blended3/4 tsp salt1 tsp baking soda1 tsp baking powder6 oz chocolate chips
Cream the beans and sugar together just like you would butter, add eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and oatmeal ( I used only a cup and a half of blended oatmeal). Add the flour mixture to the bean mixture and blend well. Add enough water to make the dough sticky but not runny. Add chocolate chips. Blend. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. Do not overcook or they'll become crispy. Enjoy these puffy chewy cookies without feeling guilty.

Weigh In Monday: Week 4

Sayin bye bye to this big girl: right after baby #2.

I had a pretty decent week. I feel like I'm eating normally but just in smaller portions because I get SO full if I try to indulge. I even found myself in physical pain one evening just from eating a smallish baked potato and a cup of homemade veggie soup. I could not believe it! Because of this I'm really trying to eat more slowly and take time for the food to hit my tummy. So, here goes...weigh in this morning was GOOD.

I am down another 3 lbs.!!!!! I am really stoked about that. I wish that I had hit the 10 lb. weight loss by now but that WILL happen this week but for now I am satisfied with a 9 lb. weight loss in three weeks. It's amazing what cutting out the sweets and paying attention to my food intake will do. Have a super day and I do have things to post that I've been creating I just haven't taken pictures.

Why I only lost a little over two pounds last week...

This is a cake made with Splenda and applesauce...Travis decided to spruce it up with the chocolate sauce though...to "make it presentable". It was yummy. Go here for the recipe Chocolate Bundt Cake with fluffy icing
Hope you're all doing great. I got a great frying pan and a BUNCH of Victoria's Secret lotions and potions. Now I smell great when I'm cooking.

Weigh in Monday:Week 3 begins

So, I didn't lose as much as I wanted. In fact I weighed a pound less last Thursday than I do today because of my awesome birthday and eating some yummy cake.

I'm down another 2.2 pounds from last week. It is still a down and not an up and for that I'm thankful. That means in two weeks I've lost a total of 6 lbs. and that's nothing to frown about. I'm going to try super hard this week to be good and to get some good work outs in. I know that's the key to shedding the big pounds. I've been using MyFitnessPal.com to track my calories and work outs.

I can definitely tell a differance in my body when I eat well and don't over eat. I feel fit and ready to take on the world. Wish me luck in the coming week and have a great day!

Here's a pic of me when I was at my thinnest in recent years. To get here I'll have to lose another 7lbs, but I won't be done yet!!!

Weigh in Monday Week 2

Here's my little drooler having some workout time with mommy.

So I was pretty good all week last week, sure at the beginning of the week I had a few bites of cookie dough cuz it was there...staring at me in the fridge and one day I broke down and ate a whole bag of M&M's BUT that is a major improvement over my intake of sweets in the past. I mean my family had ice cream for dessert last night and I sat there and wrote in my journal. I later at some pomegranate seeds as my sweet. SOOOO drumroll please...I am down 3.8 pounds since last Monday!!!!! I feel great, plus I am getting over this lingering sickness I've had for over a month now. Hope your Monday is starting off as great as mine!Grilled Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken over a yummy salad with homemade salad dressing and a side of Red Quinoa! YUMMEH!