tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60714760954367272232024-03-19T04:04:31.488-07:00Lucy Is Losing ItAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-76029879121780602182014-02-01T16:14:00.002-08:002014-02-01T16:21:08.323-08:00The Shortest Month's ChallengeHere in NC, you'll find yourself wearing flip flops with snow still in the yard (thanks, Rhiannon, for that hilarious post). Fitness in Feb.= Fuh fuh fuh fuh, ffffffft. These all sound like flat tire noises to me. I bet a lot of resolution setters are fffffting now. Will it be 12 degrees and snowing or 62 degrees and sunny?<br />
<br />
We're in a new neighborhood with ample outdoor walking/running/biking trails and sidewalks nearby. People, I really have NO excuse. I mean, none. No move, no holidays, no surgical recoveries--nothing. Since I crave a new routine, exercise and healthy foods will help energize me and set me on the right path. I just have to stay away from the path that leads to Cook Out's milkshakes and Bojangle's biscuits...<strike>Mmmmmmm </strike>I mean nasty! This new neighborhood also has a junior olympic pool, and since I've got small kids, I have a feeling I'll be living at the pool this summer. Um, bathing suit? What? I can't wear my fuzzy jammy pants and Old Navy fleece from 2001? Eeeeeeps! <br />
<br />
Starting tomorrow, I'm participating in a 4-week challenge organized by <a href="http://home-homefitness.com/About_Me.html" target="_blank">Puanani from Home To Home Fitness. </a>The rules are: <br />
<ul>
<li>Post stats on the weekends. Stats needed: shoulders, chest (at nip line), biceps (biggest part
of your arms), stomach (at belly button level), butt (across the widest
part of your butt), and thighs (where your longest finger tip hits). </li>
<li>Leave your finished times/amounts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Total burpees in one minute (clarify between regular and modified)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Total amount of pushups in one minute (clarify between regular and modified)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Length of jumping jacks without a break</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Length of wall squat (keeping your squat parallel). </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>We're encouraged to take pictures from all angles each week. </li>
</ul>
LET'S DO THIS! See ya on myfitnesspal at lupehughes! You should choose something to try out for this short month! What will it be? <br />
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This weather!!! Whaaaaat?!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-47083114493641367652014-01-05T12:58:00.002-08:002014-01-05T12:58:39.281-08:00Goats and GrapesWhy, hello! It has been months since I wrote a post for Lucy is Losing It, but since I've definitely lost it (and not the pounds, mind you), I'll tell you what I've been doing. Now, various post ideas have resided in my head, but we all know what happens to intentions, hell, roads, and whatnot. I crafted drafts involving the harvest season, wishbones, and fruitcakes as extended metaphors, but alas. If you are anticipating an obligatory "Let's get motivated with our resolutions!" early January post, you will need to look on Pinterest or elsewhere!<br />
<br />
We put our house on the market in October. Deep cleaning a home with two small children while working full time and forgetting to eat three meals a day got me down to 19.6 pounds! Woohoo! Lots of exercise goes into scrubbing, hauling, dumping, lifting, reaching, scraping, and other various gerunds. Since I let my gym membership run out, the "-ings" kept me the sveltest I've been post-children.<br />
<br />
Then The Crazy hit this house.<br />
<br />
Everyone got sick. Work got nuttier than a port-o-potty at a peanut festival. Some evening showings kept us away from home at dinner. While we did sell our house in five weeks, I had gained back some pounds. I wanted to be sad that I was so close to a 20-lb. weight loss, but I just didn't have the energy to care!<br />
<br />
Why is this post called "Goats and Grapes?" I'm writing while enjoying a glass of wine and eating goat cheese with a knife straight out of the 4-oz. package. I am doing so with gleeful relish and no shame.<br />
<br />
To all you people out there on the New Year's resolution bandwagon ready to run yourselves to death, eat clean, and really change your life around, that's great! I support you. To all you people out there checking out Fitspiration boards on Pinterest but chastising yourself for not actually doing anything about it, hey, join me on the couch right now. There's a small bit of goat cheese left, so you had better act fast. I do have plans to blog about meal planning with Aldi purchases on a budget and whatnot, but for now, I'll just try to avoid slicing my tongue while I eat goat cheese off this knife. I'm sure I will be back with really sincere motivational posts, but that time is not now.<br />
<br />
In a mere two weeks, the Crazy will begin again as we prepare and move our whole household. Perhaps I could at least make the resolution to explore my new neighborhood on foot, but I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself until I settle into the new house!<br />
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This is all I have to say about resolutions at this point:<br />
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Post your resolutions below, especially if you've already broken them! Tee hee!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-22300379472252457422013-07-28T10:28:00.001-07:002013-07-28T10:28:37.169-07:00They Are Losing It: Lacey Horner <i>Today I feature Lacey Horner, my former roommate, classmate, and very close friend. She's the sister of <a href="http://lucyislosingit.blogspot.com/2013/07/they-are-losing-it-megan-horner.html" target="_blank">Megan Horner</a> and great friend of <a href="http://lucyislosingit.blogspot.com/2013/06/they-are-losing-it-kat-bukowy.html" target="_blank">Kat Bukowy</a> (click on their names to read their stories). Lacey's living in Korea and has traveled to all sorts of countries. She shares how she's managed to lose weight and be healthy while traveling and living in very new situations. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVtIOoQbDqsBeDz7uy-kuaONGNvd4w5usGjhqsnocIkyONzTR1Xhm1mtc-sFgznXH9j8NxT85WP0uu0B44Ve4-Bw0_J52oqdjoH9USfOVYP4Wqfyi-0TNUdbbOHCqJ6b5M74o7_TiqkPu/s1600/lacey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVtIOoQbDqsBeDz7uy-kuaONGNvd4w5usGjhqsnocIkyONzTR1Xhm1mtc-sFgznXH9j8NxT85WP0uu0B44Ve4-Bw0_J52oqdjoH9USfOVYP4Wqfyi-0TNUdbbOHCqJ6b5M74o7_TiqkPu/s320/lacey2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Let's make
one thing clear...I have by no means reached my destination. I'm still on the
journey, but I'm halfway there at this point. I'm struggling right now, just
maintaining at this stage. I'm hoping to break this plateau soon!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Weight loss
and body image have been a problem for me since I was young. I was small as a
toddler and young child, but by 2nd grade, I "exploded" while my dad
was away on deployment. I have a rough relationship with food...I'm an
emotional eater. My mantra was, "If some is good, more must be
better!" Being introduced to athletics by my family helped me a ton when I
was teenager, but an early knee injury set the tone for things later on. I
would go through cycles of activity and "better" eating, only to get
sidelined by the knee throughout various points in my young life. That would
just start the cycle over...being 13 years old and not being able to do
anything was a blow to the already poor body image that I had. This went on
from the time I was 13 until I was 22 years old. So I would basically be
able to participate and not have to worry as much about what I was eating, and
then I'd fall off the wagon when I was injured. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I've had
many down moments, but I think one of the things that spurred my weight loss is
the fact that I love to travel. However, it would take such a physical toll on
me that it became harder to enjoy. Standing and walking for hours a day on
student trips just beat me up to the point where I'd have to stay in the hotel
at night to rest. I also hate the fact that I was just turning 30 (at the time)
and felt like there was so much, physically speaking, that I didn't think I
could do anymore. It made me sad and ashamed. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I started
out on the <a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/new-hcg-diet" target="_blank">HCG program</a>; it's hardcore, but I did it with my doctor's
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac5aa9OXKAVozaQfEGc5S8l_zz-gG8l0ffjT0qc506VildsxJBI2jaz_H8Ie9x9M31Fa_pmXExG581iKDU-lSjS8AVQel7lRLAKlZ4-4KGAUQqxDrRW5EFHij1gitNK3xyFz2l2qpbrin/s1600/lacey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac5aa9OXKAVozaQfEGc5S8l_zz-gG8l0ffjT0qc506VildsxJBI2jaz_H8Ie9x9M31Fa_pmXExG581iKDU-lSjS8AVQel7lRLAKlZ4-4KGAUQqxDrRW5EFHij1gitNK3xyFz2l2qpbrin/s320/lacey1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you guess her costume?? (I love this pic)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
supervision. I'm an all-or-nothing person. I've never moderated well before, so
I knew it would take drastic action to truly make a difference. The first
weekend was hell, as I was basically detoxing my body from all sugar, caffeine,
carbohydrates, and even good fats. I felt horrible but knew if I stuck with the
program, it would be worth it later. Besides, I was paying money to do the
program!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My family
has always been supportive, but at the beginning, my then-roommate was
incredibly encouraging. Sue's actually in her 60's and I find her so inspiring.
The way that she's so devoted to her health, activity, and zest for life keeps
me accountable. I want to be as fit and active as she is when I'm her age, but
that only happens with diligence and discipline. Since then, it's been
my sister and one of my closest friends. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL0QdYEMnp_zAuCi-lgTbu1FCYiQVmgtEvoJlx1Z2dMEYVWIroGtGncsOGw636sb0v3vlCaByUxUj9W12O7NLeeQNIpLfzTA2XvasPjVEvY3r438r3UzqAaoBA6foLUJ7W1Fk6khP1131/s1600/laceymeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL0QdYEMnp_zAuCi-lgTbu1FCYiQVmgtEvoJlx1Z2dMEYVWIroGtGncsOGw636sb0v3vlCaByUxUj9W12O7NLeeQNIpLfzTA2XvasPjVEvY3r438r3UzqAaoBA6foLUJ7W1Fk6khP1131/s320/laceymeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacey and Megan before they lost it (the weight, harhar)</td></tr>
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My sister, <a href="http://lucyislosingit.blogspot.com/2013/07/they-are-losing-it-megan-horner.html" target="_blank">Megan</a>, had lapband surgery
last year and has since lost around 75 lbs. She was a career athlete and is
finding her way back to health. We're super competitive, so her success is a
challenge to keep me on track. <a href="http://lucyislosingit.blogspot.com/2013/06/they-are-losing-it-kat-bukowy.html" target="_blank">Kat</a> has fought her way back through diet and
exercise. If people think I'm disciplined, then they've never met Kat. Her
consistency, willpower, and determination far surpass my own! She's visiting me
in Korea right now!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Living in
Korea has been quite the challenge, looking for the foods that first aided my
weight loss. The language barrier makes it difficult for me to find my
preferred foods, but I'm finally discovering ways of procuring things that I
need. I love quinoa for the protein, Greek yogurt, and stevia. I'm not a big
fruit person, so I can skip some of those sugars, but veggies are great and I
love to make stir-fries at home. Low-fat/low-sodium broths help keep meats
moist if you want to skip oil, and I even resort to just adding extra water as
I cook while adding more spices. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In the
States, I used to love going to the gym for Zumba, cycling, or yoga classes. The
Korean lifestyle helps immensely, as I walk almost everywhere I need to go save
for trips downtown when I take a bus or taxi. This is what separates Americans
from other people; the sheer size of our country makes it difficult. I'm
getting back into yoga here with the help of some great local instructors. I
can't play the sports that I used to play, so I've had to adjust my
expectations for now. It's more important to find something, ANYTHING, that you
enjoy and can sustain over time. Anything is better than nothing! I love
working out with music. I used to listen to anything that would keep me going
on the elliptical, stationary bike, or treadmill: club music, Euro trash, hard
rock, you name it! My old workout list named "Pump Up the Volume" if
that tells you anything : D</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Keeping
track of your food consumption is important, because that's where so many of us
falter. You can work out all day long, but it doesn't matter if you're not
honest about what you're putting into your mouth every day. It's not working
for me right now, but only because I don't always know what I'm getting in the
restaurants. Yes, the language barrier excuse is a lame one, but it's legit!
There are times when I only able to order by looking at pictures. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My time is
limited by my crazy work hours, but one of the things that I have realized in
this country is that it's not always about what you eat, but rather HOW MUCH
you eat. Koreans are so communal about food; it's almost always a shared
experience for them. You won't find them eating alone, nor do you find them
having separate meals. Koreans normally share meals since so many places serve
food in a family-style setting. You can get away with not depriving yourself of
your favorite things if you're splitting a single serving with others! That is
one thing that helps me here because I don't always eat the best these days.
They also recently started putting calories counts on the menus of bigger chain
restaurant, arming you with knowledge before making choices. The US needs to
get with the program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I
previously bought a one-month pass to a local yoga studio, and plan to do the
same now that I'm recovered following a recent surgery. They have classes every
day of the week, but my schedule only allows for certain days. It's really just
about committing myself to those days and not planning anything else on those
evenings. I do my best to get my bag ready the night before or get up early the
morning to do so. If I have a bag packed, I'm more likely to go. When I cook at
home, I try to make enough to take leftovers to work so I'm not tempted to go
out to the local fast food places or convenience store. (That is one of the
unfortunate effects of globalization; Koreans have their own versions too).</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At home, <a href="http://myfitnesspal.com/"><span style="color: #003dc9;">myfitnesspal.com</span></a>
was so helpful when I was tracking my food intake. You can find nearly
everything you can imagine on there, and it also allows you to edit things so
you can participate in the process. I also signed up for emails from "Eat
this, not that!" It's a helpful guide, suggesting healthier alternatives.
<a href="http://Fitbie.com/">Fitbie.com</a> is another great website with tips, inspirational stories, etc. to
keep you going. I don't have any particular quotes that I come back to, but
one that pops into my head right now is an old saying in Spanish, "Vale la
pena." It translates to, "It's worth the pain." And I know it
will be in the end!</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Comparing
old and recent pics to see where I've lost weight in my face helps me stay
motivated. I'm not one of those lucky creatures who has a thin face. If I gain
weight, you can see it there immediately, so I look like a vain little tart
checking myself out in the mirror all the time. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0JTrcO2oyxG0cDasdPojiY1q4GtbFRHQs5qAF3lUwbo0a-ski7gp-l-8gIO1P6FKB53_G2fDSGaDQzhOCQDsSkRCblZmLToPtDircSMJyEVE2yhTi_-dWld_zSYiffq3xzmxd6gqwkaS/s1600/laceykat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0JTrcO2oyxG0cDasdPojiY1q4GtbFRHQs5qAF3lUwbo0a-ski7gp-l-8gIO1P6FKB53_G2fDSGaDQzhOCQDsSkRCblZmLToPtDircSMJyEVE2yhTi_-dWld_zSYiffq3xzmxd6gqwkaS/s320/laceykat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat and Lacey in the Pacific Northwest, Summer 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMO2Nfk6ZhpfhCgItogM2UiE_ioxAWixhpoKyErv_rAbaSTIu88F7cgtkiXbjA5Qmqx8-row7r_9fwtuw0qqyihTHzHoZEO1LDSeoSnCICrBq3k5gYy143m7k0-VXY6Aar_Pe4mkLKTBv/s1600/laceykatskinny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMO2Nfk6ZhpfhCgItogM2UiE_ioxAWixhpoKyErv_rAbaSTIu88F7cgtkiXbjA5Qmqx8-row7r_9fwtuw0qqyihTHzHoZEO1LDSeoSnCICrBq3k5gYy143m7k0-VXY6Aar_Pe4mkLKTBv/s320/laceykatskinny.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacey and Kat in Korea, July 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">Mentally
being able to say to myself that I can always eat certain foods later helps, if
that makes sense. As a kid, it was always, "If I like it, I should eat
more of it, and NOW," was my modus operandi. Knowing that I don't have to
succumb to instant gratification is a big step for me! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">If you fail
today, tomorrow is always your second chance. Beating yourself up constantly
will get you nowhere. Intentions are not enough though; lack of action is what
got most of us here in the first place. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Would you like to be featured on my They Are Losing It series? Email me at lupehughes@gmail.com for more information!</span></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-79730283937300596482013-07-15T19:10:00.000-07:002013-07-15T19:10:52.857-07:00Full of Tastes No Tongue Can Know<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My attempt at a green smoothie tonight was a concoction of spinach, banana, kale, baby carrots, coconut almond chia milk, and the mistake: </span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lifeway.net/Products/Kefir/LowFatKefir/LowFatBlueberry.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Lifeway blueberry kefir.</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEcPCw8y7n5KPEV4kekMWHE5yC4gfy24eFSPr-aFsZu60Pho1D6Q2rDAMgk3O2I3bUuM_IRm2u-CnYjysXq50LC0Q-fZHPXeqWxcVvlPLOVnE50spvSd2PO4d-UTRxL63hqDiUuKewfq1/s640/blogger-image--864128710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEcPCw8y7n5KPEV4kekMWHE5yC4gfy24eFSPr-aFsZu60Pho1D6Q2rDAMgk3O2I3bUuM_IRm2u-CnYjysXq50LC0Q-fZHPXeqWxcVvlPLOVnE50spvSd2PO4d-UTRxL63hqDiUuKewfq1/s640/blogger-image--864128710.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Grateful Dead glass here is singing, "</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Full of tastes no tongue can know..." Right on, Robert Hunter. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Let's pretend that one <i>never happened</i>. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-38408977797640198832013-07-10T19:22:00.000-07:002013-07-10T19:30:52.521-07:00First and TEN!I didn't think I could do it. I have never stuck with a weight loss goal other than that one time I was in Weight Watchers in college where I lost 11 pounds and of course gained it all back eventually.<br />
<br />
But I did! I DID.<br />
<br />
I went in today to my FNP for my official weight check and to get my plastic surgeon referral. I had a ballpark figure of what I had lost, but of course, the doctor's scale is always heavier than MY scale...<br />
<br />
<b>I lost 10 pounds from June 7-July 10! I reduced my BMI by 2! </b><br />
<br />
Yes, I have a lot more to go, but this is so exciting. It's more than just a poundage amount-this proves to myself that I can stick with something and see results. For me, dreaming up huge projects is more appealing than actually carrying out those projects, so losing weight was always one of those "giant projects" in my head that would never get carried out in real life.<br />
<br />
My friend is coming over tomorrow to take official measurements since I don't have any from June 9 when I started this blog. She doesn't know it yet, but she's going to get to take progress pictures. Hooray for good friends, right? The last pictures I have are from February.<br />
<br />
I cut out gluten, started exercising and drinking a ton of water, and eating "clean." I didn't count any calories. I focused on getting a lot of good fats like coconut oil, which I put in just about everything. I definitely had more than five fruits/veggies a day.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I don't care if it might just be water weight. I don't care! 10 pounds is 10 pounds is 10 pounds. Envisioning 10-pound dumbbells or a bowling ball is encouraging-that is not on my body any longer. Documenting inches will now be my focus now that I've lost the first 10 pounds. I'm so glad this is becoming a lifestyle rather than just sucking down Diet Cokes and SlimFasts. I now want to hide the scale since I want to focus on getting fit and looking lean rather than just some number on a scale. Inches it is!<br />
<br />
I celebrated right after the doctor's appointment by hitting up the Whole Foods hot bar, still avoiding gluten, and checking out the plastic surgeon referrals I got from the office while chewing my delicious bacon veeeeerrryyyy sloooowwwwllly. I read reviews online (one office had terrible reviews!) and chose an office. I dialed. Someone answered...<br />
<br />
In less than a minute, I scheduled a consultation! This is really happening!!<br />
<br />
What can I do next month?! We have a family beach trip scheduled at the beginning of August, so now I should figure out a goal.<br />
<br />
Anyone know of a realistic goal for inches lost in a certain amount of time? Google, here I come!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-60455389438940758892013-07-09T09:42:00.000-07:002013-07-09T09:42:30.258-07:00Lead Legs"Queen of Excuses" should be my official title.<br />
<br />
I was feeling sorry for myself today, wallowing in self-pity. After another trifecta of night terrors, a nasty cough in the toddler that won't seem to go away, and being so jacked up on coffee that I felt sick, I told myself I just could not go to the Y to work out at a class that is similar to CrossFit called Functional Fitness. I even had it on my calendar with a reminder set.<br />
<br />
I reached out to some internet friends, and they gave me the What For.<br />
<br />
Granted, the child care room wouldn't have taken toddler girl anyway. However, shile I was whining in my head about it, I got on my shoes and socks. Multitasking, right? I then added more to the ensemble until I was, um, <i>contained</i> and ready to do something, anything.<br />
<br />
I pinned a CrossFit style video to my Get Fit board, and I have watched it twice. Time to try it out!!<br />
<br />
I threw a lunch together for the kids, strapped them in their seats, turned on God awful Thomas and Friends sing along show, and got to movin.'<br />
<br />
AND I DID IT! I made it all the way through this workout. I did modify mountain climbers and the lunges, but I hung in there and did it!!<br />
<br />
My girls laughed and laughed, especially when I would grunt. The toddler yelled out, "I'm so pwoud of you, Mommy!" I would have cried if I could have feel any sentimental emotion. Each noise brought another round of uncontrollable laughter. "Look at Mommy! She's soooo siwwy!!"<br />
<br />
The sweet things insisted I let them down to stretch with me. See? A good time was had by all, except I can't walk now with my lead legs.<br />
<br />
No excuses!!<br />
<br />
The video workout that will whoop your butt:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6SV7q4Oa4aQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
What are your go-to excuses? Who or what motivates you to suck it up, Buttercup?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-23798073732414416212013-07-08T12:24:00.001-07:002013-07-08T12:29:15.441-07:00How Are You Hungry Yet Again? What to eat, what to eat?<br />
<br />
Lots of people love to cook for their family. They see it as a way to be creative, try new ingredients, perfect certain dishes, experiment with new techniques, and nourish their families with nutrition and love.<br />
<br />
To be honest, I dread it.<br />
<br />
Sure, there are some great meals where I present a beautiful, rustic meal that nourishes both bodies and souls.<br />
<br />
I know my husband is guffawing right now.<br />
<br />
For some reason, I am totally baffled that four people need to eat at least three times every day. My two little girls can put away what seems like more food than a high school football team, and that's just for snack. You mean you people need to eat again already?? Can't you just graze off the floor with the smorgasbord of tasty morsels that rival a Las Vegas Buffet?<br />
<br />
I can get adventurous in the kitchen, and I would say I do know cooking basics. Mind you, I'm not applying for Master Chef and definitely have less than edible outcomes, but I can keep my family fed. My husband is not picky at all and kindly suggests changes and tweaks to recipes. God love him; he's a great sport to put up with me when it comes to meal planning and cooking. The girls aren't even that picky. The problem I have is twofold: 1. I see it as just another task I have to do where I don't feel I can devote concentrated time to it, where dinner prep always seems like a circus to me, and 2. I never know WHAT to cook despite all these Pinterest boards I have, menus I've found or have access to of healthy foods, cookbooks, etc. I am always cooking something totally different and rarely repeat recipes. If I'm trying to keep everyone fed on time, lose weight, and stick to a budget, those things seem to totally overwhelm me. I just want someone to swoop in and feed my family healthy food without me having to do anything except eat the leftovers.<br />
<br />
I've already thought of strategies, some I've implemented and others not yet, to eliminate the fear and anxiety of cooking food. My husband and I would like to take cooking lessons together. I could get the kids involved in food prep, even if it takes 1209320 hours longer. Setting aside some time over the weekend to prepare ingredients would save tons of time. Rock out with the crock pot. Husband grills and I cook quick sides. Extreme coupon for staples like beans, brown rice, etc. Only shop specials each week. I can even just pick a 2-week meal plan from countless of resources I have, like the 2-week gluten-free menu, complete with a shopping list, from this book I perpetually have checked out from the library called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-A-Month-Cooking-Family-Favorites-Dinnertime/dp/0312534043" target="_blank">Once A Month Cooking: Family Favorites</a>, anything from <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/" target="_blank">100 Days of Real Food</a>, anything from back issues of my <a href="http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/" target="_blank">Clean Eating</a> magazines, and of course, my ridiculous <a href="http://pinterest.com/peahug/mostly-healthy-food-vegan-raw-and-paleo/" target="_blank">Mostly Healthy Food Pinterest Board</a>.<br />
<br />
But I always freak out! Someone throw me a packet of ketchup for the waaaaaaaaaaamburger!!<br />
<br />
Knowing that I'm trying to lose weight and that I can't just feed my family on horseradish mustard and dry barley, I decided to see what exactly was left in the cabinets, freezer, and fridge. I built meals around that and went through some recipes to get a game plan for this week.<br />
<br />
I spent $85 this week on food items, but I had those pantry/fridge ingredients. Here's what is on the menu for this week (and beyond, honestly) with mostly vegetarian recipes to try to fit in the budget. I linked recipes for what I could find online, and the rest are scribbled on pieces of paper I found while cleaning out an end table this weekend.<br />
<br />
Main Meals:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://greatist.com/health/vegan-quinoa-stuffed-peppers-healthy-recipe" target="_blank">Quinoa Stuffed Peppers (vegan)</a> (substitutions are white kidney beans instead of black beans and salsa instead of tomatoes)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cooks.com/recipe/cq7y45qv/5-bean-and-kale-soup.html" target="_blank">Five Bean and Kale Soup</a> Recipe says it will produce enough to freeze for later</li>
<li><a href="http://fitandawesome.com/gluten-free/chicken-thighs-paleo-recipe/" target="_blank">Mustard Chicken Thighs</a> but with boneless, skinless thighs with <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_cauliflower/" target="_blank">Roasted Cauliflower</a></li>
<li>From same pack of chicken thighs: <a href="http://www.dinneralovestory.com/chicken-of-the-year/" target="_blank">Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms</a> with caramelized onions and frozen California mixed veggies</li>
<li>Turkey Burgers (oops, no buns, but there's whole wheat bread) and corn/green beans from Mema's garden, fruit salad maybe</li>
<li>Penne Pasta with organic jarred tomato sauce (I'll eat something else this meal)</li>
<li>And my easy, "exotic" dish: <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/tacu-tacu-146025" target="_blank">Tacu Tacu</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
Food I have available to me not already designated for a recipe: Greek yogurt, blueberries, celery, hummus, cucumber, tuna, string cheese, baby carrots, green peppers, almonds, tuna, green grapes, spinach, bananas, kale, walnuts, cashews, raisins, Applegate Farms organic turkey, half a bag of frozen cauliflower, almond/chia/coconut milk. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead of counting calories, right now I'm just doing a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2013/04/what-the-heck-is-clean-eating/" target="_blank">clean eating</a>, gluten-free thing. I feel like I'm just getting used to no gluten; I still have temptations and cravings, but the effects most likely would be disastrous! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
NO excuses for take out, last-minute questions of what to eat and is it healthy and affordable, freaking out about having to cook it, and hopefully not feeling overwhelmed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What are your go-to meals that do not involve processed foods? No condensed soups, anything with high fructose corn syrups, artificial flavors, etc. please :-) How do you view cooking foods for yourself or your family-do you like it or loathe it? Do you have a meal plan down pat, or do you just go willy nilly down the aisles like Supermarket Sweep? I'd love to hear from you!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-14392279686524436162013-07-06T11:32:00.001-07:002013-07-06T11:32:29.554-07:00They Are Losing It: Megan Horner<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Megan is the sister of my former roommate, classmate, and Maid of Honor in my wedding, Lacey Horner. Megan has a super cute daughter named EB and lives at the beach. I'd like to share Megan's story of weight loss through lap band surgery and dedication to healthy eating and exercise. Enjoy! </span></i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaHMTyfNZHDp_WsCqVe5pWuwglrQAOE8zTfL37xQ2AYFablCtnn21coKjEz399HgZLDD8oCFpQnhTmEZHdIKWhozd9qv214cZyYW55VU1lxjp7T1koIBrUbXpToZ1LTVkLAdr10euZX8D/s1600/megansummer2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaHMTyfNZHDp_WsCqVe5pWuwglrQAOE8zTfL37xQ2AYFablCtnn21coKjEz399HgZLDD8oCFpQnhTmEZHdIKWhozd9qv214cZyYW55VU1lxjp7T1koIBrUbXpToZ1LTVkLAdr10euZX8D/s320/megansummer2013.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan Horner, Summer 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been considered obese practically my whole life, even
though I was extremely athletic from 7-18 years old. I was put on my first “diet” in middle school, 6<sup>th</sup>
grade I think. I don’t recall much
of a weight loss, but then again, I was a kid and wasn’t concerned with it. My doc requested that I be able to
snack during certain times of the day along with eating my 3 main meals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn’t until after I had my daughter EB in 2007 that I
was considered morbidly obese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was working at a miserable job, weighing my heaviest at 232, stressed all the
time, had no energy, among other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I quit my job and started working at my current job and joined the gym at the
urging of my sister because it was just across the street from my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost 10 lbs. within a few months, but
gained 5 back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1e9EY6EumH6P6mF20Yq4DfJp72iaHnB32xICR96t7AbXo8qTlcqJouBg9D3Wy8VPqYMDLRlGDCU7M6MTONAgRyK9Bo9t9Iv7E6Wr9Gu4r5cZxM61pe0twXsEE_tdUqrmPB1fSTYsTWtX/s1600/meganjuly42009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1e9EY6EumH6P6mF20Yq4DfJp72iaHnB32xICR96t7AbXo8qTlcqJouBg9D3Wy8VPqYMDLRlGDCU7M6MTONAgRyK9Bo9t9Iv7E6Wr9Gu4r5cZxM61pe0twXsEE_tdUqrmPB1fSTYsTWtX/s320/meganjuly42009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 4, 2009</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Oct. ’11 I was put
on blood pressure medication after getting into a car accident and injuring my
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never had issues with
my blood pressure before that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If anything, people would comment on how “normal” it was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When EB said that I looked like I had a baby in my belly,
but I “wasn’t” fat was one of my first revelations. At 5’2 and 232, I was still
wearing my maternity clothes; mind you I had my daughter mid-2007!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hated to shop for myself had the
worst time finding items that fit me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I resorted to wearing a lot of dresses and “stretchy” bottoms.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO60shLMl4m7uHUUvxEtKeNM3u0nOXOEZCSFN9NuMjotkuVHc8PRYoDdQjt9itfGdNh6YiAaNfaEdo79qzZHGYeQaxjyAtJgX4PKzcITdmWVvZCJ88MZ0pBkodgd_NjsPB-Dfz51Rr43f/s1600/meganjune2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO60shLMl4m7uHUUvxEtKeNM3u0nOXOEZCSFN9NuMjotkuVHc8PRYoDdQjt9itfGdNh6YiAaNfaEdo79qzZHGYeQaxjyAtJgX4PKzcITdmWVvZCJ88MZ0pBkodgd_NjsPB-Dfz51Rr43f/s320/meganjune2010.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2010</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after speaking with co-workers who had Lap-Band surgery, I
decided to go to the seminar and see exactly what it was about.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In April or May ’12, during my “pre-surgery”
requirements, my regular doctor diagnosed me with insulin resistance and was
concerned with my triglycerides level.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day I scheduled my surgery, I weighed in at 227.7 and started my 2-week
low carb diet to prep my body for the big day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">End result, May 23, 2012 was my day!!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE448dlm3gP94zoiY0DTVmt_WCKPLrbRXDeVwr2p8jESIYrkEUkcGw_-u58bCj6rdHBPd-TLtdasdbixKT9gm0P95MbDv8aS0dLsXn8Mo3zVjXhDJHQvrz1NBNLC7rO3j7pJ6sMCYX0MeX/s1600/meganeaster2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE448dlm3gP94zoiY0DTVmt_WCKPLrbRXDeVwr2p8jESIYrkEUkcGw_-u58bCj6rdHBPd-TLtdasdbixKT9gm0P95MbDv8aS0dLsXn8Mo3zVjXhDJHQvrz1NBNLC7rO3j7pJ6sMCYX0MeX/s320/meganeaster2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2012 about 7 weeks before surgery</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first few weeks after surgery were eventful!! I was on a
strict diet for at least 5 weeks post-surgery, then gradually progressed from
all liquid back to solid food.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About
6-7 weeks later, I went in for my first “fill” and weighed 10.5 lbs lighter!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter EB motivates me the most because I need to be
there for her as she gets older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to be able to run around with her and play, carry her when she’s
tired/sleepy without breathing heavily…My family and friends for all the support
thus far because this is a hard journey that I need to succeed at.
Lapbandtalk.com is a motivational website for me.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I was all about "bad for your arteries, comfort
food" and probably ate fast food multiple times a week. Now I don't drink
any soda or high calorie drinks, very rarely eat fried foods, breads, and red
meat, and limit my intake of rice and pasta. I eat a lot of fish, seafood, and
chicken, and eat fruits and veggies when I can handle it. </span>Chocolate
peanut butter protein shakes, Bolthouse Farms green goodness fruit smoothie,
snacks of Simply JIF peanut butter & honey are some of my favorite
snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ll treat myself to a hot
chocolate (where I add a scoop of protein powder when I can) or a milkshake. I’ve
noticed that I crave chocolate more than I ever have in my life, even more than
being pregnant, so I keep some sort of it on hand to tide me over.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeh1g4rodw6wYZdAzFw_hC4lvCcPEp_xpTRXczLra1Z5-K6UgUbNHk7ZhYW9Fg904fYN4P69bwLv8KYKWFIatEpzfiPfPY08H3GtUbAX6jgn_0ZIC8YbKp24G7ROdyuMKXXxvV3pB8Cpt/s1600/meganhornernye2013goaldress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeh1g4rodw6wYZdAzFw_hC4lvCcPEp_xpTRXczLra1Z5-K6UgUbNHk7ZhYW9Fg904fYN4P69bwLv8KYKWFIatEpzfiPfPY08H3GtUbAX6jgn_0ZIC8YbKp24G7ROdyuMKXXxvV3pB8Cpt/s320/meganhornernye2013goaldress.jpg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for New Year's Eve 2012 in my goal dress</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have neglected the gym since my surgery but am pushing
myself to get back in there. With back issues, I mainly walk on the
treadmill.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just got a new beach
cruiser too, so I intend on using that as a source of exercise.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now, my stomach is the “flattest” it’s ever been in my
life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My thighs don’t rub together
nearly as bad as they used too!!! On May 1<sup>st</sup> 2013, I was released
from doctor’s care for my blood pressure and am completely off meds! Insulin
resistance is not an issue anymore.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some advice I have is don’t rush yourself and expect a
change quickly. Slow and steady
wins the race!!!</span><i><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP82p6TB2QgoBQx4VqF8rpuLWKtRA3Z98LGg7eRhnQSSCqF541JPctu8Yb-xWhbMR0UGL0yxkaidtcHeI3oJfVnc8ohLp1zt7LZwiZauUFqG2HyDfHeFv6IOtuVCqEQ4FXzRLMC1FCKDCu/s1600/megan154june26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP82p6TB2QgoBQx4VqF8rpuLWKtRA3Z98LGg7eRhnQSSCqF541JPctu8Yb-xWhbMR0UGL0yxkaidtcHeI3oJfVnc8ohLp1zt7LZwiZauUFqG2HyDfHeFv6IOtuVCqEQ4FXzRLMC1FCKDCu/s320/megan154june26.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most recent picture, June 26, 2013 at 154! I haven't weighed this much since probably 10th grade!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Would you like to be featured on my They Are Losing It series? Email me at lupehughes@gmail.com for more information!</span></i></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-44579651283439343512013-07-01T10:48:00.001-07:002013-07-01T10:48:10.852-07:00Enthusiastic SmoothieIn a moment of total weakness, I found myself in the drive through (I refuse to say drive thru) of Biscuitville ordering a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. <div><br></div><div>It was delicious. </div><div><br></div><div>What brought this on? Did I not learn my lesson last time when I felt like junky doodoo after my cheat?</div><div><br></div><div>Night #3 of a bad toddler cold on top of terrifying night terrors so bad that we almost took her to the ER because we didn't know what was wrong until we figured out it was a string of night terrors, plus a pile of peed clothes and sheets from both, plus dog puke I found on the carpet brought this on. Stress eating. As if all of this would just slide away like the greasy egg off the fluffy biscuit into my lap...</div><div><br></div><div>No sense in beating up myself. Learn from it and move on. There is always lunch for a new opportunity. 90/10 or 80/20 with most choices being healthy is about what I can realistically do right now. </div><div><br></div><div>Secret Weapon of Guilt-my enthusiastic smoothie. Why enthusiastic? Because I've put everything I've got left into it. That's a saying from my grandmother when she made her enthusiastic soup with leftovers.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZV6RX3l9oryzjgqIq7gBE18x8Y2eBwyR6A1MOgYXtRHv7j0xpXhXYgLccc9YuALLGTlQmuQIe-YD6VgX6IKPN_sjZwcqoMeDzhhwcjCS4r2xYVXZ2-KqP9GyJd1vvrs0C5jzBCKbS7ZM/s640/blogger-image--1753447481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZV6RX3l9oryzjgqIq7gBE18x8Y2eBwyR6A1MOgYXtRHv7j0xpXhXYgLccc9YuALLGTlQmuQIe-YD6VgX6IKPN_sjZwcqoMeDzhhwcjCS4r2xYVXZ2-KqP9GyJd1vvrs0C5jzBCKbS7ZM/s640/blogger-image--1753447481.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Greek yogurt, apple, kale, avocado, banana, and chia/almond/coconut milk smoothie. </div><div><br></div><div>It is actually quite delicious. Take THAT, fluffy biscuit.</div><div><br></div><div>If only I could get the smoothie to clean up! </div><div><br></div><div>How do you tend to react to your cheats or disappointing food choices? Comment below to keep the conversation going!</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-39705216960390472002013-06-24T18:56:00.000-07:002013-06-24T18:58:00.685-07:00Watching and WaitingI have never been good at being patient.<br />
<br />
This saying is going around Pinterest and the internet in general. I don't know the validity of it, but it gets me thinking every time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDxp6DSO_6fHlNl28eh9D43srZAjQkcDvoKpCQZqgUB2E1tSa1TBbX9h3hR4E4hJuILjUlB8Neq143LH3gTgZDsIy5DGJWEjrCr-92Ky2ODGNmJmWMu4H8Sz5_J-u0qjqT8D6UWyrN-1i/s1600/shapeimage_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDxp6DSO_6fHlNl28eh9D43srZAjQkcDvoKpCQZqgUB2E1tSa1TBbX9h3hR4E4hJuILjUlB8Neq143LH3gTgZDsIy5DGJWEjrCr-92Ky2ODGNmJmWMu4H8Sz5_J-u0qjqT8D6UWyrN-1i/s320/shapeimage_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The last line is where my focus needs to be. I've had my gym membership for less than a month. My starting weight was measured on June 7, and it's now just June 24. I still struggle with anxiety of just getting everyone ready and out the door to get to the gym, but it is getting better. The girls love the child care, and I have yet to regret a visit. I also have (for the most part) cut out all wheat and have absolutely increased the amount of vegetables I eat. However, I told myself it was okay to majorly cheat on my daughter's 4th birthday party, where I had a piece of cheese pizza blotted with a paper towel, a chocolate chocolate chip cupcake, and some Dr. Pepper.<br />
<br />
I paid for that dearly. My body, after days without wheat, colas, junk, etc. got so angry with me. NOT worth it. I had another chance to cheat at a birthday party this Sunday, but that previous experience was enough to squelch any temptation I had. It didn't hurt that it smelled like monkey butt up in that Monkey Joe's bouncy place, either. <br />
<br />
That's one change I've seen so far in myself. It's taken me less than that 4-week mark in the saying to now internally realize that cheats, if they are going to happen, need to be carefully considered. CAREFULLY considered. Another place where I feel is slowly shrinking is right near my rib cage and in my waist. I just <i>feel</i> thinner and stronger there. I'm impatient to wait for the overall change though. It will not happen overnight. <br />
<br />
It's hard not to get obsessed with hopping on the scale every day. Logic tells me that it's totally futile to weigh myself every day, since I know weight wildly fluctuates even within one day. It's hard not to get hung up on numbers though. It's hard to have two measuring tapes I keep around for sewing easily accessible. I don't want to get numberized in that way. <br />
<br />
My focus needs to shift if I'm going to keep up the journey. I need to figure out some measurable goals and make a plan for how to get to those goals. Choosing goals that don't involve inches or pounds are most likely the best ones for me, at least for now. I was revisiting my first post on this blog, and I need something more specific than "not wear the same bathing suit at the beach I've worn for the last few vacations." That particular annual beach vacation is at the end of July and early August-a reasonable amount of time to reach that goal. I just want to feel stronger and more confident in the new suit. I can't get hung up on a particular size because the fashion industry 1. sucks, and 2. never has worked out for my body type since I have to fit the bazoombas into something that is often not the same size as the rest of my body. <br />
<br />
This week's goal is to, well, set a measurable goal. I'm going to talk to a few people about a Crossfit style workout plan, since that seems REALLY appealing to me at the moment and seems to have definite measurable goals where I'm only in competition with myself.<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear in the comments what was the first goal you reached and how it made you feel!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-55080009109571115732013-06-23T16:29:00.001-07:002013-06-23T16:34:29.259-07:00They Are Losing It: Lauren Goeringer<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I met Lauren through a mutual love of the band <a href="http://www.umphreys.com/main.php" target="_blank">Umphrey's McGee</a>. She recently got married, so say congratulations to Lauren as you read her story! </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was an athlete most of my life, volleyball, softball, and
basketball (that one didn’t go so well)!
I never had a weight problem during that time, but then I turned down a
volleyball scholarship and went to college….dun, dun, dunnnnn. You know the drill, started eating what
I wanted, wasn’t playing sports anymore, and my extracurricular activities took
a turn for the worst.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In 2009, a relationship I was in ended and during that whole
self-discovery stage that follows that, I looked in the mirror and HATED what I
saw. I was wearing a size 14 and I
was humiliated. There was not a
time that I ever felt good about my body and I tried to cover up with sweatshirts
and baggy clothes whenever possible. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWPyVaCgcNVZvG7tH2ogY7ZsO9bFA8brWlxjujel3leBHxk74LuwhZMvbSahiQcnoBCKfoJs3axKbbiK6nrlxUiMEatBvKYB1O31mCpGzQfugfL232B8zRRQ438cB1dAuFSQYxVt3Pp38/s1600/shizz1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWPyVaCgcNVZvG7tH2ogY7ZsO9bFA8brWlxjujel3leBHxk74LuwhZMvbSahiQcnoBCKfoJs3axKbbiK6nrlxUiMEatBvKYB1O31mCpGzQfugfL232B8zRRQ438cB1dAuFSQYxVt3Pp38/s320/shizz1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before pic! I met Page McConnell (keyboardist for <a href="http://phish.com/" target="_blank">Phish</a>) and was embarrassed to show anyone the proof! And no pics exist of this time with
anything below the waist because I always cropped them.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was single again, so cooking for one…I had nobody to
complain about the new low-fat options, except for myself! I started going to the gym at school
and some workout videos at home….I’m a huge sucker for Jillian Michaels, that
relationship started then.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I got an app called “My Fitness Pal.” It allows you to track not only your
calories, but also your workouts and the calories burned there. That really helped me, once you REALLY
see what you’re eating, it makes you feel like a hog. At least that’s what it did for me. Plus, there is a forum with other people
doing the same thing, so it’s a
nice sounding board and place to go for advice. It held me accountable…I found myself not wanting to let
myself down, but mostly not wanting to have to put a cheeseburger on there and
having people know that I didn’t eat healthy that day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also got a Polar heart-rate monitor that straps around my
chest and transmits to a wristwatch.
That has helped tremendously because now I know exactly how many
calories I burn during each workout. I LOVE JUICING!
I got a juicer a few months ago and am hooked! It definitely took me a while to find yummy combinations,
but it is a fabulous way to get a massive amount of fruits and veggies in. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am also a Jillian Michaels junkie, and anything made by
Beachbody, (Turbofire, Insanity, etc)…If I have a mapped out schedule that
tells me what to do every day, I’m really good at sticking to it, more so than if I go to the gym and try
to do it on my own. They all do
such a good job of combining strength and cardio. I did insanity leading up to my wedding and loved it!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I’m not a runner.
I want to be, I even like it, but the impact is too much for my
knees. I’ve ended up with an injury
every time I’ve decided to start running.
Learning what works for you is important. A spin class is my favorite big cardio burn, and I usually
burn over 1000 calories. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have to work out first thing in the morning. I work long hours and get home around
8pm, and I don’t have it in me then.
But if I roll out of bed and put on workout clothes and go push play,
I’m ALWAYS happy I did. If feels
so good to start your day off that way. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd3_6miIbD64e29tT_G4Ec086PxgHvLNrG1mWhKzzkR6tHqSG6wOJ7DoDLe7cV88Nz9MfWGIrxu1sWqCTR50HYXemPFoTvzgqSh3w9B566cSlkLRawxoMh6eOSMhv-DQ3gvNQ1rvPWQYI/s1600/shizz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd3_6miIbD64e29tT_G4Ec086PxgHvLNrG1mWhKzzkR6tHqSG6wOJ7DoDLe7cV88Nz9MfWGIrxu1sWqCTR50HYXemPFoTvzgqSh3w9B566cSlkLRawxoMh6eOSMhv-DQ3gvNQ1rvPWQYI/s1600/shizz2.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">30 pounds lighter!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am down to a size 8 again. It feels SO good! I don’t feel like I’m hiding all the time or trying to fade
into the background, I’m happy and more confident. It helps me a lot also to have such a supportive and
motivational husband. He keeps me
going and helps me stay focused on my goals. I still want 20 more pounds, that would be my “healthy weight”….I’ll
get there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Would you like to be featured on my They Are Losing It series? Email me at lupehughes@gmail.com for more information! </i></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-6011873402564463442013-06-22T10:25:00.001-07:002013-06-24T09:25:48.716-07:00They Are Losing It: Kat Bukowy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJpJ2KQJOTGrDjukaebDUdkpjMA9H-mTcLZ5LWiwBVBqFKDBtuErlsArTOxAxX6IIrRhyc9b8YXUcCKKSQoX29wK_XW41wK_-ekTpRHCKHp2s3s3fE6OAKyN1cXY7q9mXRHAvRKELjgZ1/s1600/katbukowy4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJpJ2KQJOTGrDjukaebDUdkpjMA9H-mTcLZ5LWiwBVBqFKDBtuErlsArTOxAxX6IIrRhyc9b8YXUcCKKSQoX29wK_XW41wK_-ekTpRHCKHp2s3s3fE6OAKyN1cXY7q9mXRHAvRKELjgZ1/s1600/katbukowy4.jpg" height="320" width="195"></a><i>I met Kat Bukowy at a 6-week summer program called the North Carolina Governor's School, a magical, fabulous experience that truly changed the way I viewed academia and the world around me. We also happen to go to the same gym. Kat offers raw honesty, practical tips, and thoughtful encouragement. I teared up reading it! Without further ado, I'd love to share Kat's story with you.</i><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37PZzDUd-ORm-dER9oCqcLqShoTnJHJBwKK3RwVYn8rV5AZPI5HnhrXPicNOV85AJdDhvpL2GvXrP3TTMjp2D1yfbT6c_-GvYd8KoKYUpyf1JjJb-sr_MqYD_Rks4BAhBV3s-2qgPrs0V/s1600/katbukowy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37PZzDUd-ORm-dER9oCqcLqShoTnJHJBwKK3RwVYn8rV5AZPI5HnhrXPicNOV85AJdDhvpL2GvXrP3TTMjp2D1yfbT6c_-GvYd8KoKYUpyf1JjJb-sr_MqYD_Rks4BAhBV3s-2qgPrs0V/s1600/katbukowy3.jpg" height="320" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat in mid-April 2013<br><br></td></tr></tbody></table>
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So the honest truth is…I cheated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok, not really, but kind of – it’s as confusing as it
sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br></div>
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I started working on “getting healthy” two years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was young my mother did Weight
Watchers (still does I believe); so Daddy and I did WW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a whole lot of years, I did not
realize that corn and peas and potatoes are vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me they were starches and you
shouldn’t eat two in a meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Family style” is a recent fad in my world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always ate our meals pre-portioned at the stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been well-indoctrinated into the
teachings of WW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying
it’s a bad program; it works well for many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even did it once in my twenties and lost about 20 lbs (I
also gained it all back). </div>
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<br></div>
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Despite all of Mom’s efforts, I have weight and body image
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally had enough when
I hit around 230 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time
to get serious and find a “healthy lifestyle” that I could actually maintain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially, 230 lbs + genes that tend
toward heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes + own personal issues
(depression, asthma, and premature arthritis) = impending DISASTER!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RuoLv1-hqQO10GHO6qk_8uKbSyXGwMwrTJl5TNGEP26mUv-vWj7n2JzFUSCrhr3KzLCpG_30i9_wL0v0OUFukWU1KJMfZtYoaOl0ktcLmRvMTKNBTlzFvurVCU7cm5I0MBnqKlWyFSrS/s1600/katbukowy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RuoLv1-hqQO10GHO6qk_8uKbSyXGwMwrTJl5TNGEP26mUv-vWj7n2JzFUSCrhr3KzLCpG_30i9_wL0v0OUFukWU1KJMfZtYoaOl0ktcLmRvMTKNBTlzFvurVCU7cm5I0MBnqKlWyFSrS/s1600/katbukowy2.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat (right) with our friend Lacey (left) near the 230's around her 30th birthday<br>
(stay tuned for Lacey's story)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found a gym and joined with a friend to help hold each
other accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I probably lost
about 20 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was honestly not
paying a whole lot of attention to the weight loss between 230ish and 203
lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just know it went
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 203 lbs I was frustrated
that I was still not really losing weight (apparently the whole 27 lbs or so
loss kind of got missed in my brain to the point that I don’t even acknowledge
it now).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend suggested I try
using a free online program (I use My Fitness Pal) to actually track what I
eat, that perhaps I was eating more than I thought I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br></div>
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On top of that I had discovered triathlons, something I had
always wanted to do, but thought I couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason I thought I couldn’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not believe I was physically capable of running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered that doing a run/walk is a
legitimate thing, not something just for fat people like myself, and that I
could do a triathlon with a run/walk for the “run” part of the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started training for and doing sprint
triathlons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the high I get from
triathlon is the high that crack addicts get, I understand why they go back for
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the scale only
dropped a little for all of the effort I was putting in.</div>
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And this is where I cheated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
you train for a triathlon and you’re swimming, riding or running twice a week
and the “long” ride is 30 miles, you expect after awhile to see a DROP in
weight, especially if you’re eating within the calorie range that you are now
diligently tracking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1cm5PtW98detStGCgmWUqX6GYEbxD2J3M9inJD1jSgnCZpILCg-BIgI6n9lygxRBGo2OiFR08F2cNprXbR3sUh0FiRctvhEABtr2Tgyw4cv7S7nGgWFlbhSc6Ba0Xq-OqkGHhukCg4cr/s1600/katbukowy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1cm5PtW98detStGCgmWUqX6GYEbxD2J3M9inJD1jSgnCZpILCg-BIgI6n9lygxRBGo2OiFR08F2cNprXbR3sUh0FiRctvhEABtr2Tgyw4cv7S7nGgWFlbhSc6Ba0Xq-OqkGHhukCg4cr/s1600/katbukowy1.jpg" height="320" width="191"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat's first team triathlon</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make a very long story much, much shorter, I saw an
endocrinologist throughout the whole train for triathlons, count calories
process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She trusted the lab
results and the average limits for those results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that I am sub-clinical, which means that my
results fall within range, but are actually too low for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she told me that my thyroid was
not my problem, I got another opinion (Ok, she told me my problem was not
something she could deal with because my lab results were fine; so I fired her
and got another opinion).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
happened to find an endocrinologist whose philosophy happens to be "treat for
the simplest solution first."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
odds that I had some remote form of cancer are pretty slim, so he decided to
dramatically increase the synthetic thyroid hormone that I was on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No surprise to me, it did the
trick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moral of “the cheating”
is that if something doesn’t feel or seem right – my hair was falling out, I
was tired all the time, I had weird hot/cold flashes and I’m 32 – get an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get one that makes sense and don’t stop
asking the question(s) until you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>
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So from May 2012 to May 2013, I lost 35 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much of that was me working and how
much was “cheating” I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can say that I don’t think I’d have lost that much weight that fast
if I had not been working so hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love having lost 35 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am 15 lbs away from my goal of 50 lbs down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with the 35 lb loss, my brain sees the physical changes
and accepts the complements with pleasure, but something in me still sees a fat
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am deathly afraid that
the fat person will come back one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not going to let it, and I won’t let the fear drive what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep pushing my “limits” because I
know I can be stronger, faster, harder, better and happiest because I did it.</div>
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I think my biggest problem, like a lot of people, is
diligently recording what I eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, I am a creature of habit and like my routines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eat the same thing (nearly) for
breakfast every day: oatmeal (Quaker Rolled Oats), vanilla protein powder, flax
seed, and cinnamon with either fruit (blueberries, peaches) or apple/peach
butter or jam thrown in for interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lunch is typically a Lean Cuisine or similar at the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Days I’m in the field are nearly a
free-for-all, although I try to eat a chicken sandwich or I bring peanut butter
and jam/honey sandwiches and carrots or something "healthy."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m in the field, I can burn up to
about 700-900 calories depending on the weather and type of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost always carry apples and Lance
peanut butter & honey crackers with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hungry Kat is NOT a happy Kat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I’m at the gym until 7 p.m. and my boyfriend is
usually home before me, I try to make something on the weekend to have as
leftovers during the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
to get better at the food planning thing. I keep trying, but haven’t gotten the
hang of it yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also have a
mid-morning and an afternoon snack that is usually protein-based. </div>
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<br></div>
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I have had recent digestive issues so I have discovered that
I need to avoid most dairy, beans, and corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also severely allergic to cashews and pistachios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the only real “limits” on my
diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE to bake and do so
frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put the recipes into
the online recipe calorie calculator so I can know what the calorie content of
a serving is.</div>
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Some advice…</div>
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<br></div>
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Exercise is key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’re not doing anything, I wouldn’t expect you to go do a
marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started with walking
and going to the gym; it worked for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever you do, do it with your best effort and start today. Then go
back tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It took a variety of gyms (from the super-cheap, to the
posh, and the exclusive with a personal trainer) for me to find my Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid to shop around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really about what works best for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Y is on my path home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured out that it takes the same
amount of time for me to go to a 5:30 class at the Y and get home as it does to
go directly home fighting 5 o’clock traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also happens that all varieties and types of people are
welcome at the Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get on
the cardio machines and see tight bodies that I want to beat to a bloody pulp
everywhere – there’s one or two, but I can usually ignore them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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If you’re exercising be as comfortable as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some ungodly reason, everyone is
telling us to be (or get) fit and healthy, but the stupid clothing industry is
NOT helping the large trying to become small(er).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best investment you’ll ever make is in a solid pair of
athletic shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to a local
running shop – if whoever comes to help you isn’t helpful and friendly get
someone else – and be properly fitted for shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, they are expensive, but your budget will thank me when
you’re not spending money on doctor’s bills or you’ve quit because your feet/legs/hips/back
are killing you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re female,
the second best investment is a GOOD sports bra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m partial to the Moving Comfort brand discovery I made
last year (I started out as a 40 DDD and they make a very supportive larger
bra), but I had Luminere and Champion (when I wasn’t so well-endowed) before
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be warned that you should
try them on first if possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sports bras do NOT fit like regular bras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wore a 40 DD sports bra, but my regular bras were
DDD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try them on, jump/bounce up
and down, run in place, whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make sure nothing pokes or pinches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you fear chafing get an anti-chafe stick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I got an Arm & Hammer at
Walmart, but I also use Body Glide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sweat like a cold glass on a hot day, so for me, moisture-wicking
material is the best invention ever. Just remember, getting your exercise on is
not about what you look like while you sweat; the reward comes in the afterglow
of what you’ve accomplished.</div>
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Because I run and ride outside I don’t listen to music very
often, and I recommend that for safety reasons you learn to live without the
tunes (or at least not via headphones/earbuds that cut out all other
surrounding sound).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to
think that my theme song is "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s cheesy, but I first heard
it about the same time I started down this path and it’s gotten me through some
rough times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quote that I
mostly live by is “The voice inside your head that says you can’t do this IS A
LIAR.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I saw that on a
Nike advert circulated on Facebook at the beginning of this trip last year.</div>
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P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can now
run a full 4 miles without stopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not fast, but it’s still running.</div>
<i> </i> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-90197987208813970382013-06-19T09:54:00.001-07:002013-06-19T09:54:42.360-07:00Green Machine<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImVnWmT0RPQEon9UeF7ILWb8nlpFJ37m2cg_eD3_xHWvmR8jlIYTL3m5y8kPFEbC92ia0CXdFwLbbLgBpDFF_8kxE0OhEDNbsX2_gRQLnV08jbmaeKvWVwyw9TsWNToXI5ynFpt7eGYlq/s640/blogger-image-427362496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImVnWmT0RPQEon9UeF7ILWb8nlpFJ37m2cg_eD3_xHWvmR8jlIYTL3m5y8kPFEbC92ia0CXdFwLbbLgBpDFF_8kxE0OhEDNbsX2_gRQLnV08jbmaeKvWVwyw9TsWNToXI5ynFpt7eGYlq/s640/blogger-image-427362496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Spinach, kale, banana, pineapple, and unsweetened coconut almond chia drink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It definitely has, um, texture, but it's pretty tasty. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-66815365549429945342013-06-16T12:37:00.000-07:002013-06-16T12:37:11.667-07:00They Are Losing It: Amber Meyer<i>Welcome to the first installment in my "They are Losing It" series! This series features answers to interview questions regarding personal history and struggle with weight loss, the breaking point, starting out making changes, finding time and motivation, tips, changes, and anything else readers should hear.</i> <br />
<br />
I "met" Amber Meyer on a facebook group for moms who wanted to get fit after having March 2011 babies. The group's been a wonderful source of encouragement, education, and solidarity as we celebrate accomplishments and understand common struggles. Without further ado, I'd love to share Amber's story with you: <br />
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</style> <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have had issues with my weight since I was in elementary school, to be
honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always had very low
self esteem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I graduated
high-school I was about 170, when I got married at 20 I was 180, and it has only
gone up from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since getting
married in ’07, I have tried many ways to lose weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve only tried healthy ways, through
diet and exercise, but in 5.5 years of marriage, we have had three children
via cesarean, 9 military moves in two countries and three states and eleven
30-90 day military separations for training and brief deployments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not making excuses, but it does
take an emotional toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
December of 2011, I began to get completely fed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a 2 year-old, 10 month old, had just gone through a
miscarriage and just found out I was about 6 weeks pregnant again...I couldn’t play
with my kids the way I wanted and couldn’t go out with my husband feeling
confident in myself or in the fact that he could possibly be attracted to me or
love me, yet alone be proud to be out with me even though he has never given
me a reason to doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>That
December, I decided that I was going to try to lose the weight regardless of my
pregnancy. Even though I was high risk, I did doctor-approved light exercise
and ate clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the day I
found out I was pregnant until 3 days postpartum, I had lost 42lbs! During Fall of
2012, I dropped an additional 24lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For Christmas of 2012, we went home to visit my family and in 2.5wks, I
gained 18lbs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family has
terrible habits and I have a terrible time resisting between all the visits and
parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the first 4 months
of 2013 getting that back off to gain 24lbs in the month of May when staying
with family during a move and then again for a funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That brings me here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 22 year-old college grad sister just moved
in with me and we start our first day at the gym together today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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When I started my first few weeks, I was very
determined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be able to
tell people I had done it even with all the excuses I could’ve used at the
time… like a high risk pregnancy… haha.
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</style><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A facebook fit-moms group that I am part of with you, Lucy, has been a
huge inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although all of the women on the page
are greatly inspiring, a</span>mongst that
group, I’d say you, Puanani and Rebekah are at the core of my inspiration just
because I connect to you all the most on a personal level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
Advice?
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</style> <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">BABY STEPS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how
small the change, it is better than nothing and you have to start
somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see this on pinterest
a lot and it couldn’t be more true: “strive for progress, not perfection.” </span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h2>
Please, if you struggle with weight or other self esteem
issues, do not let that become who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a person; aside from the things that are “wrong”
with you, there are a million things right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></h2>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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I sit down and meal plan once every two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on the month and our
commitments, I will make food ahead of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is going to be a busy month, I will take the last
weekend of the month prior to make enough freezer meals that I can put one in
the crock pot every day so we have lunch and dinner without thinking. If the week is going to be super busy, I will even make homemade waffles, burritos and
breakfast cookies to freeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
busy mornings, though, we resort to oatmeal with fruit… quick, easy and
delicious. We sweeten it with either honey or banana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it's not a busy month, I will just make meals as I go, and
when I have a busy week, I’ll make meals the prior Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve even begun to keep a small cooler
in the van to pack a meal/snack and avoid eating out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son says we’re having a picnic! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
actually prefer real clean healthy foods, and it's normally only time constraints
that I’ve not planned ahead for or travel that get me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say raw vegan desserts and banana
ice-cream are two favorite tricks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They are delicious and allow me to indulge a little without falling off
the wagon.</span>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I love working out, period… anything really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's just a matter of making the time. Just like anything I
love, I never make time for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span>As far as working out, the
gym works best for me because of childcare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The YMCA has excellent rates, but right now, we are using our
community on-post gym because it has a play room and is all free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to go in the mornings because if
I do, it sets my mood for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It's not too hard for me because I am a stay at home mom… at least once I
get into the habit.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlMQgZrmd3ltJkM0PtTicJA-0o1us4PgEVDNu-JTARt1Jtw2FA9-Isni1tcIvMnk9JvSXEYVHYxeSHDeg20w_K9Gc4qJXU5XkbCzCMNUdvimhN-FDDEo3cappo98WjBWvpJk55pxTNCp2/s1600/ambermeyer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlMQgZrmd3ltJkM0PtTicJA-0o1us4PgEVDNu-JTARt1Jtw2FA9-Isni1tcIvMnk9JvSXEYVHYxeSHDeg20w_K9Gc4qJXU5XkbCzCMNUdvimhN-FDDEo3cappo98WjBWvpJk55pxTNCp2/s320/ambermeyer2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">3 months pre-baby (left) VS.<br /> 5 weeks post-partum (right)<br /> <br /> happy to say goodbye to:<br /> <br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> 50lbs<br /> 9% body fat<br /> 4.25in off of my shoulders<br /> 1.5in off my chest<br /> 2.5in off my thigh<br /> 3in off my waist<br /> 4.5in off my stomach<br /> 1.5in off my hips<br /> <br /> ...never thought i'd see the day... especially since there was a pregnancy in the mix.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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I’ve struggled to notice the changes with my weight
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this sounds strange
but I always notice my hands and feet… haha. I
won’t say I am happy with my appearance yet, because I am not… but, I am
finally at a place where I am only concerned with how I feel about myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly never worry what anyone else
thinks about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only people
that matter to me (opinion wise) are my husband and children.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I think clean eating will work for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean eating is the very best way to start at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just get rid of your sugar, processed
foods, eating out etc. and go clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel it works best for most people to start off with this because it
doesn’t ban certain food groups which, for people who are used to eating
anything, can result in binge eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As you go along and become more aware of your body and its reactions,
you can ban/limit things if needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, I’ve been eliminating gluten, dairy and soy because they
are not my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I go, I may
eliminate more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried Vegan
and Paleo… I’d say I felt best vegan but I have had a hard time sticking with
it as my husband enjoys meat and poultry, and let's just say gluten and soy
free vegans can get pretty bored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will say, I was shocked that eating clean has not increased the amount
of money we spend on food monthly, but decreased it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, good meats and produce etc. are expensive, but the
increase on your grocery bill falls in line with the decrease in boxed
groceries and eating out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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Please, if you struggle with weight or other self esteem
issues, do not let that become who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a person; aside from the things that are “wrong”
with you, there are a million things right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet those around you could easily name ten things they
love about you… or even envy about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For most of my life, I have let what is “wrong” with me overpower all
the things that are right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
husband, friends and family have consistently pointed out things I am talented
with, things they wished they could do that I can, but the image I had of
myself was keeping me from being able to pursue anything I was good at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to draw, to paint, to sew… just
create… but I question everything I do like just because I have extra weight voids out all talent, potential,
personality and value I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
not true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is worth so
much more than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate that I
am just now seeing it.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">****</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>Want to be featured on the "They Are Losing It" series? Send an email to lupehughes@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you. </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-14775817547824510282013-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:002013-06-11T11:22:01.834-07:00Welcome to Juicy Lucy's Juice and Smoothie ShopI've never made a green smoothie before with vegetables. I'm not feeling so hot today, so I figured I'd focus on meal planning and trying out new things on the Calories In aspect of weight loss. Out came the food processor! If you are looking for exact measurements or nutritional value information, you're going to have to look elsewhere. Confession: I did try to mess with the color values just a bit so the smoothie would look more green instead of the brownish-sandy-faded green color in reality. Yum? Indeed. <br />
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<b>Lucy is Losing It Green Smoothie Recipe</b><br />
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<u>Materials and Ingredients: </u><br />
Food processor<br />
Handfuls of fresh spinach<br />
one banana that is destined to become banana bread soon if it gets more spots<br />
blueberries with stems pulled off<br />
raspberries that have not molded yet (oops!)<br />
a splash of milk <br />
cups<br />
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<u>Directions:</u> Dump stuff, put on lid, push the button, and pour. <br />
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Inevitably, the littles will want to try. I was informed it is "Find All Swim Suits and Try Them On Day." I will be attempting to turn it into "Retrieve Swim Suits and Put them Back Where They Belong Day." <br />
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I think we have a winner. She ate her sister's leftovers, too. I thought the smoothie was absolutely delicious, and I will definitely be scouring Pinterest for more recipes. If I can shove in who knows what veggies, I can certainly get down with this weight loss business if I could drink these daily. <br />
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Last month, I watched <a href="http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/" target="_blank">Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead</a> on Netflix. It's about a man who drinks nothing but juiced fruits and veggies for 60 days. The results were amazing! Other people in the documentary also had inspirational results. I am hoping by incorporating these smoothies into my diet that my mental health will directly benefit. If I feed my brain with vitamins and minerals, maybe I'll diminish the Rage that comes from nowhere. <a href="http://www.netplaces.com/juicing/juicing-for-increased-happiness-and-mental-stability/nutrients-that-enhance-mental-health-and-wellness.htm" target="_blank">Nutrients that Enhance Mental Health and Wellness</a> is an article I found with a great list of what does what. (As with anything on the intertronz, do your own research about author credibility, etc.) <br />
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Please post links or recipes involving your favorite smoothies! I'd love to try them. I'd also love to hear about how drinking these green smoothies helped with mental health. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-2452700177102833942013-06-10T07:41:00.001-07:002013-06-10T07:41:12.815-07:00Procrastination, Excuses, Poop, and X-raysI could have majored in Procrastination, but I had other things to do. Monday mornings are really hard (no cliches here). One might think getting up and getting out of this house would be great for Monday, but I don't quite operate like that. I need to piddle around on Monday. Instead of working out in the morning, I might try something for Mondays-aim for the slumpy afternoon for me and the chaos that happens after naps but before dinner for the kids. If I can stick them in the Tree House and let them play, therefore avoiding the WHINING at home despite my best efforts to be the crafty, involved mom, I can power through the slump with one of a trillion interesting classes at the Y. Then maybe I won't be so angry that I have to feed all You People at dinnertime. You mean you have to eat again?! And I have to cook it?! <br />
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Slow (ha) Interval Training started one minute ago. I did not anticipate having to plunge a toilet this morning (thanks, toddler)! At least my excuses involve poop. That's always acceptable. <br />
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Now that I've discussed poop, it's time to talk about my insides and boobs, naturally. I got a spinal x-ray at my chiropractor's last week. Picture time! Let's talk about how my boobs have wreaked havoc on my spine/neck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWuVcYrRDgui3qRu3rjPVBKOxCOQaozIgQKA_bqm0WDNEFhGPD1EIOxIma_MY56Vv2qalK_ktGF01nYZlmdYTP9Y9yg_h6RmU1TKLh8H-ybVL9h7F7rm20-AWPP0ynHGfXOrXJ6Z8nEbW/s1600/xrayspine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWuVcYrRDgui3qRu3rjPVBKOxCOQaozIgQKA_bqm0WDNEFhGPD1EIOxIma_MY56Vv2qalK_ktGF01nYZlmdYTP9Y9yg_h6RmU1TKLh8H-ybVL9h7F7rm20-AWPP0ynHGfXOrXJ6Z8nEbW/s1600/xrayspine.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><b><br />Exhibit A: Full frontal and side shot</b><br />
This is about as close as I'm going to reveal about The Boobage pictures. Check out how far down they droop-almost to the top of my pelvis. I knew they were out of control, but I had no idea they were all the way down that far. WHAT. My neck's curvature is also jacked up due to the breast tissue pulling it down. But look at that nose! That is just wild to see my bones and such! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdnXFiXCYNQGejCEthyRPDQZNaBzxgc3gf1SaovpfY2Nykm1yJ1Ap-Z8SAP6P51k9RVV_5anyH_oYaEzgyoCWDj7HrGororXSbEaJi4H43DDA2TGk0uyEIWQmE64caoO6vCa9IkR8qbX/s1600/T8_T10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AdnXFiXCYNQGejCEthyRPDQZNaBzxgc3gf1SaovpfY2Nykm1yJ1Ap-Z8SAP6P51k9RVV_5anyH_oYaEzgyoCWDj7HrGororXSbEaJi4H43DDA2TGk0uyEIWQmE64caoO6vCa9IkR8qbX/s1600/T8_T10.JPG" height="320" width="294" /></a><b>Exhibit B: T8-T10 Arthritis </b><br />
The pencil marks on my T8, T9, and T10 vertebrae show arthritis due to excessive breast tissue. This bit right here is what shocked me the most. I knew they were huge, but I had NO idea The Boobage was causing actual spinal physical damage. I mean, dizzamn. Time to get these sweater puppets whacked off. <br />
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If I don't get this fixed, I could cause accidents and scare the General Public. Maybe that will be the bra I get discounted with my filled up punch card at the Bra Whisperer I visit to buy my specialty bras. This is a special one, all right. <br />
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And then I'd have to steal my grandma's walker, trick it out to lift it up to chest level, and rest those pancakes on them to wheel around The Boobage. I'm sure it would pay for itself if I ditch the bras completely:<br />
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That concludes my picture posting. No one wants to see visuals of the plunger shenanigans. In future posts, I plan to wear the jeans and the dress that are my goal items to serve as Before Pictures to one day look back and laugh at how it looks like I tried to stuff the biscuit dough back in the container after you pop the cylinder with the back of a spoon. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-63673994806505687642013-06-09T12:45:00.003-07:002013-06-09T18:55:03.285-07:00My first week at the YMCAI joined the Y for my 33rd birthday. I literally marched right in with my checkbook a-wavin' and my pen in hand ready to sign things. This Y is a few miles from my house with plenty of parking, three stories tall with a pool, child care, three studios with all sorts of fitness classes 7 days a week, raquetball courts, a gym, a track, free weight area, machines, saunas, steam room, private workout area in the locker room, nice showers, towel service, a chapel, a natural light-filled atrium with cafe tables and booths, and a cafe that overlooks the pool! Whaaaaaat! Yes, please!<br />
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Another feature that I am easily bowled over by is the free app that tells all the schedules of the classes, information about the instructors and the classes they teach, and descriptions of the classes. You can even schedule it on your calendar and set reminders so you can't say you forgot to go to Ass Kickin' at 11am.<br />
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The Monday after I joined, I picked out a class called Slow Interval Training. The class description said it was a full body workout for those who prefer to work at a slower pace with low impact aerobics and resistance training. Perfect, I thought. I even got a tad bit smug when I saw I was one of the youngest people in there.<br />
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I got my ass handed to me. Those older ladies were running circles around me, and guess who felt sheepish? Talk about inspirational, though. They were all very friendly.<br />
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Tuesday I was going to go to Yoga, but blahblahblah I didn't make it.<br />
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Wednesday was Zumba day. I watched a few videos on YouTube to make sure I knew what I was getting into. Lots of people packed themselves into the studio, so I chose a spot in front of the mirror and right up front so I could see the instructor. I quickly introduced myself to the instructor and her assistant to tell them I was new here! I was near an elderly lady dressed in hot neon green zebra print leggings. I was all like, I wanna be YOU, girlfriend! I'll just do what she does. I hung in there and was so proud that I finished the entire workout! I did grapevine the wrong way, spun around when no one else did a few beats shy of the spin, but I didn't care! I had so much fun! I sweat like, well, insert metaphor here! When I was done with the session, Green Neon Zebra Granny gave me a sweaty high five. BEST EVER. I then walked around the track for fifteen minutes so I could stop being beet red and sweaty for my shower.<br />
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Speaking of the shower-my kids were happily coloring away in the Tree House child care area, so I left myself 40 minutes to go as slow as I wanted to. I'll tell you what-that membership fee is WORTH showering by myself!<br />
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While I didn't go to the Y the rest of the week due to other appointments and wonky scheduling, our family did go on a little 1.4 mile round trip to a toddler park in our neighborhood. I officially got in my 30 min. 3x a week in my first Lucy is Losing It journey! YEAH!<br />
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My ideal plan for this next week is: <br />
<ul>
<li>Monday-Slow (hahaha!) Interval Aerobics</li>
<li>Tuesday-Gentle Yoga</li>
<li>Wednesday-Water Aerobics since I have something I need to go to during Zumba. There's also a Zumba at 5:15, so I could do that as well.</li>
<li>Thursday-Gentle Yoga</li>
<li>Friday-Pre-Weekend Indoor Cycle (class description says it's great for those who have wanted to try cycling)</li>
</ul>
We'll see how this pans out. All these classes are for the morning, but there are classes aaaaallll day long in case I miss a morning class. <br />
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So that's Week One! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6071476095436727223.post-31440029573479856152013-06-08T21:03:00.001-07:002013-07-15T19:28:54.467-07:00Why I am Losing ItWhy lose it? I am tired of being fat. I am the heaviest I've ever been without having another human growing inside of me. Two kids in two years did a total number on my body. With my oldest about to turn 4, there is no excuse that it's the baby weight-nope, I am just fat! The unhealthy body feeds the unhealthy mind. I suffered from severe Postpartum Depression/Anxiety and still have some mental health issues. I have the power to exercise to keep my mind healthy (and my pills sure don't hurt either)! I just turned 33 and have finally realized that the only one with the power to change what I don't like about myself is me. Now, there are plenty of things I do like about myself, but I feel like I owe it to myself and my family to be a healthier, stronger person, both physically and mentally.<br />
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Things to aim for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Fit into my size 10 Gap jeans that I wore when I was my lowest weight after having kids (at 178 lbs. spring of 2010). I am about a 14-16 depending on the brand (more toward 16 these days)</li>
<li>Stick with a dang goal already. I am always dreaming up grand schemes, only to abandon them 2 weeks later. I really want a lifestyle change, and putting it in writing makes it more real for me. </li>
<li>Demonstrate steady weight loss over three months for insurance to cover a breast reduction. I hope to have the surgery around Christmas 2013. I've got all the other criteria they ask for required for them to pay for the surgery. I want my cup size to at least fit back on a report card, even if it's a failing grade! Ha! BOOBS, be gone!</li>
<li>Be able to shop in the regular ladies' section or a regular bra store instead of having to go to a specialty bra shop or the women's plus section of a store. </li>
<li>Run a few 5Ks. RUN, not stopping to walk. </li>
<li>Trips coming up: The beach beginning of August, the lake beginning of September, and VEGAS toward the end of September. I do not want to wear the same swimsuit for the first 2 trips, and I really want at least one new, cute outfit for Vegas that is not already in my closet. </li>
<li>Most important reason of all-I want to be healthy for my family. My extended family has a history of obesity with various incurable diseases. I hope endorphins will help reduce irritability and show my girls that being strong and fit is a wonderful thing. There is no reason for my family to suffer due to something preventable like taking care of myself if I am to develop complications from being overweight. I also want to be body positive for my girls as they grow up in this body-obsessed world. </li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12597687537402039829noreply@blogger.com4