I did it!!

Here's today's measurements
205 pounds (down 4 pounds this week--YIPEE!)
I worked HARD for it too--really stepped it up at the gym.

Abs 39.75 (down 3/4")
Sucked In Abs 37.5 (no change)
Chest 44 (up 1/2")
R arm 13.5 (down 1/4")
L arm 13 (down 1/4")
R thigh 24.25 (up 3/4")
L thigh 24.5 (down 3/4")
Neck 16Pannus 46 (down 1.75")

I also started measuring the largest part on my arm (the saggy underside--you know the place). I'm going to keep track of that measurement from now on too.
R arm 16.75
L arm 17

I am VERY happy with my progress! I can't believe I'm about halfway to my ultimate goal. I'm just almost in disbelief. My YOAD message board family has been so instrumental in my success, I can't even tell you! THANKS you guys! Your daily support, nuturing and kind words have really helped me on my journey.

I was telling them this morning that I called my Aunt to tell her that I hit the 50 pound mark and she said "That's terrific! We should celebrate! Let's go out to lunch". LMAO! She burst out laughing after she said it. I did too. It's not like I don't eat! LOL!

However, I actually don't use food to celebrate anymore. I am working very hard to keep food and emotions separate. Food is fuel....PERIOD. I'm trying to break the cycle of emotional eating. Most of the time, I'm very good at it. I still fall off the wagon every now and then but I'm getting better at it every day.

Last night I did the 50/50 class with my dh (and my oldest sister came too). It kicked our butts! Holy cow did she work us hard on our abs and butts. I can definitely feel the butt/hips today--suprisingly enough, the abs aren't sore. My arms are a bit sore though as I bumped up my dumbell weight from 5 to 8 (I know, it was about time...LOL).

After the class was over I talked to the instructor about the saggy shar-pei skin that I'm forming on my inner thighs. I wanted to know if there were anymore exercises I could be doing to help firm that up and make my inner thighs stronger. She gave me a few more ideas and wants me to increase my strengthening exercises to three times a week instead of twice. OK--I guess it's time to step it up!

We had a couple of friends come into the classroom after us and they asked if we wanted to join them for the Fitness Yoga class that was starting next. I wasn't sure. I was tired. I was sweaty. I was sore. "OK. I'll give it a shot". LOL! DH drove home and my sister and I stayed for the class. It was great! There was a bit of it that got tedious (lots of planks to downward dogs in the middle) but other than that, it was wonderful. It was really relaxing too. I think I'll do that class regularly on Wednesday. I've only done Yoga once, prior to that. Remember that DVD I told you I had at home. (I was glad I had done that before, at least most of those poses I knew what the heck we were supposed to do).

You know what else? I put in my workouts on sparkpeople.com and it said that Yoga burns a ton of calories! How is that?! That'd be an added BONUS! I know that I could use the flexibility though. I need to work on making my muscles more pliable. I really think Yoga can help me there. I'll give it a try.

OK---I better get going. I need to take the kids to the orthodontist. My oldest one is getting her retainer mold. She's the last one to get her braces off (next week). YIPEE! She's excited.

Have a super day! YOU can do this!! Just get up, get moving and be proud of who you ARE!
Hugs,
Shannon