Major set back won't set me back!!

If you read my blog from the 14th, you will know that there was already a set back in my weight loss journey. For whatever reason, the month of August has been full of major temptation and no motivation. I ate way more than I should have and ate plenty of food that I should NOT have. I barely set foot in the gym at all this month. I believe I've gained at least five pounds, but won't know for sure until tomorrow's re-start weigh-in. 

To be honest, I am really disappointed in myself. For some time, I was gung-ho and really into what I was doing. The only person I've hurt is myself. This is the beginning of a new week and a new outlook on weight loss. It's time for me to get my ass in gear and get back to what's important,,, and that's being healthy for me and my family. 

I hate the way I've been feeling: no energy/motivation, bloated and constipated. NOT a great feeling. It's definitely time to change again!

Here's to a new start!!

Gillian <3

I'm back and better than ever!!

These last two weeks have been particularly trying for me. I've been dealing with a lot of stressful things between work, family, finances, etc. All of it together totally killed my motivation to work out and caused me to binge eat. Last week was my boyfriend's birthday and our anniversary. There was amazing home made food from one of his co-workers and his mother & sister. All was delicious and of course I overdid it. I managed to get my workout in and keep my water consumption up. My body is totally feeling the ill effects of going back to not so healthy foods.

My goal was to be at 235 by September 1. I am currently 244. I gained 2 pounds this week. :o(

I have 17 days to drop 9 pounds. I can do it as long as I keep my focus and give my all!

I can do this!!
Gillian <3

Photo Update!

For all my followers:

I almost forgot to post my photo update! The transformation to this point is quite amazing!

February 2010 - My brother's wedding 286.6 lbs.

August 2011 - Going out 242.8 pounds

NSV!

Ok, for those of you who don't know, an NSV is a NON SCALE VICTORY!

Today, I had a great NSV!!! I've been doing the the C25k program for the past several weeks and have been working the intervals like I'm supposed to. This morning, I decided to push myself and really see what I could do.

I did the 5 minute warm up walk as usual and then started to run at 5.0 mph. I got to a 1/4 mile running and then kept going to a 1/2 mile running. I was stoked!! Took a 3 minute walk and then continued to run until I reached that mile mark at 14:30! Woohoo!

There's a 5k run/walk coming up on Labor Day and I'm seriously considering it. I hope I'll find a partner and make it a reality! :)

GiLLiaN<3

I'm a joker, I'm a smoker, I'm a midnight toker... (not really)

I know I've been slacking on the posts. There has been some crazy things going on in my life that I have finally straightened out. For the month of August, I am the captain of a weight loss team and have been working hard to motivate them and run their blog. I've been working really hard to get my weight down to 235 pounds by September 1, 2011. It looks like it might happen and I'm stoked. Anyhow, here is my most recent weigh-in info!

First challenge weigh-in: 8/1/11
Weight: 247.0
BMI: 37.6

Week 1 Final: 8/7/11
Weight: 242.8
BMI: 36.9
Percentage of body weight lost: 1.7%
POUNDS LOST: 4.2


I'm afraid this number will go back up. Not because I haven't been working hard but because there was a lot of water weight lost, so I'm prepared for anything.

Commitment

I have been heavy as long as I can remember. I remember being 12 or 13, starting middle school, already shopping in a plus size store with my mother, unable to find clothes that were "in". All through middle school and high school I was picked on for my weight. Usually, I didn't let it get to me.

We are preparing for our 10 year high school reunion and have a group on Facebook. We all post on there, reminiscing about the years past. One classmate in particular started posting on there about typical "high school" stuff. Who was your crush? etc... Several people posted about him being a nice guy and a gentleman. My ass!

One year, in my year book, he actually told me to "lose a little weight". You want to talk about embarrassment and devastation? Yea! So now that I'm looking back on this, I have a little more motivation. I want to go back to my reunion, half the woman I was in high school. Not really half, but you get my drift.

I will walk in with my head held high and a smile on my face. I'm waiting for every one to see how far I've come and then I can give them the big FUCK YOU!!! especially this dude. Let these people try to talk to me. I'm too good for THEM now. They can all bite me!

Needless to say, my reunion has been the motivation for my commitment but I've made the commitment to myself. Nothing will hold me back!

A good feeling.

Since before the start of my weight loss journey, I look in the mirror and was disgusted with what the person staring back at me. The flabby arms, big legs, fat stomach, all of it!

On the first of each month, I take photos of myself, as a progression mark, to see how far I've come. Over the last few months, I haven't seen much of a difference, but I feel it in my clothes. It wasn't until yesterday when I looked in the mirror (no camera) and flexed my biceps. The muscles are getting bigger (somewhat) and the flab is going away!!! I can actually see some definition in my shoulders in arms. There is still a long way to go in that department but any change is still a change!!! It makes me feel good to know what I'm doing is working! I've noticed fat loss in other weird spots on my body as well.

Just because you can't SEE the change, does not mean that change isn't happening!

GiLLiaN<3

The Redbull Dilemma

Hi. I'm Gillian and I'm a caffeine addict.

Well, I was. Coffee, Redbull, tea, vitamins with caffeine in them. Redbull (sugar free)especially was my vice. (There's a long story how that happened but that's for a different time.)

Since I started my "lifestyle change", I was able to wean myself off of the caffeine a little by little until I was no longer dependent on it for the energy I needed in my day to day life. I was very happy of this accomplishment until I realized what a big deal it actually was.

My loving boyfriend, Kris, came home from work yesterday in a rather foul mood. After talking with him a little, I understood why. I noticed he had purchased a 4 pack of Redbull (regular of course. ugh!). This just clarified that it was, in fact, a terrible day. He only buys Redbull for one reason, and one reason only... to go with the Jagermeister in the freezer. 4 oz. Redbull + 1 oz. Jagermeister = our FAVORITE drink... the Jagerbomb.

I had already used my last can of (sugarfree) Redbull to mix with the leftover vodka we had and was enjoying said cocktail as he walked in the door.

We had dinner with the kids (mmm. Turkey burgers...), had a few drinks (for a grand total of 2 cans of Redbull, one regular and one sugar free) and talked about buying this AMAZING house we found!! I look at the clock at it's 12 midnight! WTF!?!?! I'm usually knocked out at 10:30 - 11:00 at the latest. Needless to say I was NOT tired. UGH!! I got into bed around 12:30 am and actually fell asleep... but right around 1:30 I was awake again, found Kris sleeping on the couch and got him into bed. More sleep. My eyes re-opened around 5:50 am and had enough time to catch Kris' elbow to my face. Ugh! I finally got out of bed and showered, exhausted.

I made it through work... sans coffee and went to the gym to complete my 3 miles, not to mention having the monthly visitor. As I sit here now, 6:22 pm, I am tired... ready for bed! There's a thunderstorm going on outside and it's making it really hard to keep my eyes open.

What I now realize: Caffeine was a major part of my everyday life and I always felt like crap! Without caffeine, I feel so much better, more energetic and I fall asleep faster and sleep better. I think Redbull is thing of the past... unless I don't have to get up early the next day.

August Challenge - beginning weigh-in 8/1/11

Today starts the "Let's Kick the Crap out of August" team challenge on myfitnesspal.com. Each week will consist of different exercise challenges and food/water challenges for the individuals and teams to complete. So far, my team seems ready to go! I just hope I can keep them motivated!!


Friday of last week: 7/29/11
Weight: 248.2
BMI: 37.7

Monday of this week: 8/1/11
Weight: 247.0
BMI: 37.6
Percentage of body weight lost: 0.48%
POUNDS LOST: 1.2 in 3 days. WOW!


Anyhow, for this month, I will be doing weigh-ins on Sunday morning, so I can compile my information for the officials of the challenge. I had a weight loss between last Friday and this morning. Let's see if I can keep it going! My goal is to lose 10 pounds, putting my weight at 237. I am going to push for a loss of 12 pounds, to reach goal #2 (235 pounds).


As long as I keep doing what I'm doing, I should be just fine and I'll reach my goal in no time!
POUNDS TO GOAL #1 (250): COMPLETED!! 7/29/11
POUNDS TO GOAL #2 (235): 12 I HOPE TO REACH THIS BY THE END OF AUGUST!
POUNDS TO ULTIMATE GOAL (180):  67 POUNDS
STARTING WEIGHT: 286.6
CURRENT WEIGHT: 247
TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE: 39.6 POUNDS!

SINCE I STARTED USING MYFITNESSPAL:


Wishing everyone the best!!
GiLLiaN<3