OMG!! I weigh 220 pounds!

Hello!!
What a wonderful day yesterday was!! Hubby & I went to our gym for our 13 week follow up appointment with a trainer. Guess what the results were?!?! I weigh 220 pounds! I've lost 35 pounds since May 1st. I've also lost 5 inches of my waist. Hubby has lost 15 pounds and 5.5 inches off his waist. How exciting is that?!?! I'll post all of the specific measurements either tonight or tomorrow (I'm at work and I don't have them with me). I'm so PROUD of myself!! It's the most weight I have EVER lost in my life. I'm just happy, happy, happy!!

My sister said it's time for me to "ditch the clown pants" and buy some new clothes. Clown pants? Damn, that's rude! (Even though I know that she doesn't mean it that way). She said its hard to appreciate all the weight I've lost because I'm "drowning in my clothes". Hmmmm...perhaps she has a point. My b-day is Saturday and I've asked for some new clothes. It's weird but I'm almost reluctant to get new clothes. I don't want to jinx anything. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true.

On a more upbeat note. You know what I realized at the grocery store yesterday? I'm actually proud of what's in my cart. I have such a wonderfully healthy selection of food in my cart when I shop: fresh fruits & veggies, turkey, eggs, natural cereals, eggs and more. It's really nice! I keep my head held high and stroll right through the store. It's funny because I know that some folks may be looking at me and judging me because of my weight, however, they don't know that I've lost 35 pounds. It makes me smile a little. It also makes me realize how much we judge and are being judged on a daily basis. I'm working on doing it much less! I KNOW that someones value as a person has NOTHING to do with their weight--regardless of how big or small they are. It's not only what's on the inside that counts, it's what you do with the talents/skills you've got.

I've got to run. Hubby's brother & his family will be here soon. I'm going to be leaving the office to do some last minute things at home.
Hugs from AZ,
Shannon

Saturday

Hey there! Kind of a moderately busy Saturday. We've been cleaning the house as my brother and law & family are coming out from OK tomorrow. They are moving here and will be staying at our house until they move into their rental (I think, hubby is a little vague on the details). We're getting some long overdue cleaning done though. It's nice.

I started a Spark Page yesterday (Shannon in AZ). I decided to do that so that I can track my daily dietary intake and exercise. So far, I really like it. I really had no idea of the actual calories I was taking it but I knew it was under 1,800. I think I was at 1,500 ish yesterday. It shows I'm supposed to be between 12-16K. I can do that!!

When I added my exercise, for just one day, I had almost met my requirements for the week! LOL! Guess I'm doing OK in the exercise department. I know I'm feeling good about it and myself. I know I'm in MUCH better shape than when I started this in mid-May. Actually, I think I'm in the best shape of my life! I know I can still get much better though and will continue to work on doing so.

I was hoping to go to "Strictly Strengthening" this morning at 11AM. I was ready to go out the door, practically, and my oldest daughter said "Mom, that class is on Sunday's". LOL! I'm glad she caught me before I left. I guess today will just be a 'regular gym day' or a neighborhood walk day and I'll save the class for Sunday.

I have to run! Gotta drink some more water and get moving.
Have a great day!
Shannon

IS it HOT in here or is it just ME? LOL!

Hey there!
Today is a new day. I'm sitting here having my lunch of a rolled ww tortilla w/organic pb & no sugar jelly, a Blue Bunny no sugar added blueberry yogurt and a Mixed Berry Propel (I didn't have any more water bottles in the pantry this morning so I just grabbed what I had). For a mid-morning snack I had 14 almonds. For breakfast I had 1.5c of cherrios with about 1/2 c. of skim milk. So far...a pretty good day. I'm not sure what dinner will be yet. I'm thinking I'll go home and try out some new brown rice concoction in my new rice cooker. I bought one about three weeks ago (just before vacation) and I've yet to use it. My YOAD message board family convinced me it'd be a good purchase so I got one. Now it's time to pull it out of the box and try it out.

Last night I walked with hubby about 3-3.5 miles vs. going to the gym. He wanted to watch "Shooter", a movie we rented that was due by midnight. I told him I would watch it with him as long as we'd walk over to pick up our daughters from my sister Tracy's afterwards. He agreed. It was fun but HUMID! Ack! That's the only downside to Monsoon season....HOT and HUMID. The walk was nice. The girls complained a bit when we picked them up and my sister kept trying to offer to drive us home. Nope, we were walking. We are getting healthier and in better shape. It is work but I know it's worth it. It sure makes me feel good inside. It's a feeling that no food can ever give me....EVER!

Tonight we'll go back to the gym. I need to do some strengthening too. I'll do my 1 hour work out then do about 20-30 minutes of weights too. My muscles are really needing it. I want to be sure to continue to firm as I burn. I don't want to be a giant skin suit, when I lose this weight. I'm trying hard to prevent that.

I guess I'll run, for now. I hope you have a great weekend! Remember, drink that water, get off the couch, walk for 30 minutes every day NO excuses, YOU turn if you need it! YOU CAN DO THIS! WE can do this!!
Hugs,
Shannon

Updated BMI

Hey! I was sitting here at work with nothing to do so I thought I'd check my BMI. Guess what? On May 17th, it was 45.3 and today it's 39.8!!! YIPEE!! Just another indication of progress.

Hey....every bit helps!!
I can DO this! I know I CAN!
Shannon

Measurements & Weigh In

Alright time for the weekly measurements. You know what? I am SOOOOO glad I started doing this! Thanks so much to my friend Rich, who is a true inspiration, for giving me the idea. It sure makes things more REAL when they are in black and white.

Weight & Measurements as of 8/2/07 at 8:35AM (last measured 7/19-pre vacation)
Weight-224 lbs (down 3.5 lbs since last measurement)
Abs-42.5 inches (down 1/4 inch since last measurement)
"Sucked In" Abs-40 inches (no change)
Chest-45.5 inches (down 1/2 inch since last measurement)
Right Arm-15 inches (down 1.5 inches since last measurement)
Left Arm-15 inches (down 1/2 inch since last measurement)
Neck-16.5 inches (no change)
Right Thigh-26.5 inches (down 1/4 inch since last measurement)
Left Thigh-26 inches (down 7/8 inch since last measurement)
Abd Apron (Pannus)-50.25 inches (down 1/2 inch since last measurement)

GRAND TOTALS SINCE BEGINNING MEASUREMENTS ON 7/12/07
-11 pounds
-2.25 inches off abdomen
-2.15 inches off "sucked in" abdomen
-3.25 inches off chest
-2.5 inches off right arm
-2.75 inches off left arm
-1 inch off neck
-1.5 inches off right thigh
-1 inch off left thigh
-1/2 inch off pannus (abdominal apron)

GRAND WEIGHT WEIGHT LOSS TOTAL SINCE STARTING YOAD IN MID-MAY
(didn't start measuring until 7/12/07)

Total weight loss to date....................(drum roll please)

31 pounds

Isn't that exciting!! I've met my initial goal of 30 pounds!! My next goal is to break the 200 mark. I have 25 pounds to go for that. I want to have that lost in the next 10-12 weeks, so basically by Halloween I want to be 199 or less. I know I can do it! With the help of my friends on my YOAD message board, I know I can get there!!

OK. Back to the daily info.

Last night I exercised 30 minutes on the Cybex Gazelle and burned 400 calories. Then I used the treadmill for another 35 minutes and burned another 332 calores. Total calorie burn for last night's exercise=732 calories. That's pretty good. I know I need to step up the intensity of the work outs soon though. I need to get my heart rate up a bit more. I'm going to be working on that over the next few weeks. I can't wait to start my step aerobic rountine again, I really missed that while I was on vacation. I think I'll start with the "Strictly Strenghening" class on Saturday. We'll see how that pans out. I'm going to go check the message board. Hope you all are doing wonderful! Remember to walk 30 minutes every day, no excuses! YOU CAN DO IT!

Hugs,
Shannon

Today's My Anniversary!!

By the way, today is my husband's and my 18th wedding anniversary!
We're not sure what we are going to do to celebrate, but it will surely be a YOAD evening. No binges for me! I'm on a MISSION!
Shannon

Back from River Rafting & American Idol Try Outs

I'm back!! Just returned home last night after being gone 10 days. I spent the first 7 days on the Colorado River. Which was AMAZING!! The last 3 days were spent in San Diego, with my niece, trying out for American Idol. FUN but a freak fest! LOL

The Colorado trip was wonderful. We went approximately 188 miles from Lee's Ferry to Whitmore Wash on a "boat" down the river. It was so pretty! We had sun, rain and lots of clouds. For the most part, the weather was wonderful. Only one hot day and one very rainy night (the last one). We went hiking every day to waterfalls and scenic areas. We ate wonderful food (Yes I stayed YOAD true--with the exception of a piece of dutch oven pineapple upside down cake on day 5. It was delish!). I learned about the geology of the canyon, folk lore of the pioneers and saw a few watery graves along the way. I'd highly recommend that trip to anyone!

American Idol try outs? Wow, that was an adventure too. Spent Sunday, after getting our wristbands for my niece to try out late Saturday night at 11:55 PM (note that we'd been up since about 4:30 AM that morning on the Colorado), at the San Diego Zoo. It was fun! We pretty much just hung out together all day. (My niece is 19, I went with her for moral support). Monday morning we arrived at Qualcomm Stadium at about 5:15 AM. We stood in line until about 9 AM, then they started letting people in. At around 9:45 AM, they started singing some group songs "California Dreaming" and "Walking on Sunshine". (Keep an eye on the AI try out San Diego show. We were a part of that). At about 10:30 AM they actually started the try outs/auditions. There were 13 tents set up, 12 of them had a producer and an "industry person" at them to hear auditions. They lined people up in rows of four to audition in front of the people in the tents. About 24,000 people and 14 hours later, it was my niece's turn. She didn't even get to sing to the chorus of the song and they told her "you have a lovely voice but you're not quite what we're looking for this year". Unfortunately, all the freaks that tried out (bikini girl, hugely obese girl, rollerskating girls, mime girl, giant sombrero boy....to name a few), made it. I think of the 70 or so that moved forward (out of approximately 25,000 folks that tried out) at least 30 of them were gimmick type of people. She said that she'll try again next year and be sure to have a gimmick as a back up. LOL! It was fun but very cut-throat. How could it not be? If I had to weed out 24,920 people--that'd be tough work! I can't imagine having to listen to those auditions all day. They turned away some amazing talent too! We heard some really good singers that didn't make it. "Not what they're looking for this year"....hmmmm.

Now that I'm home, it'll be time to do the weekly weight tomorrow. I "cheated" and snuck on the scale this morning. It said 226 lbs. That'll work! It'd be nice if it said 219, but I'll take 226....for now! :-) I'll do the full measurements and post them tomorrow. This morning, for breakfast, I had a Kashi instant oatmeal (150 cal) for breakfast, about 1/2 c. of Vanilla soy milk & 10 oz. of water. Mid morning snack was 1 oz. of raw almonds. For lunch I had a ww pb&j sandwich (organic pb & sugar free j), c. of raw baby carrots and 12 oz. of water. I have a small sugar free applesauce and a sugar free yogurt for mid-day snacks too. I think I'm going to eat the yogurt when I'm finished typing here. I'm still hungry. :-)

Glad to be back! (But I had an amazing time!!)
Shannon