Pounds and Inches

And that, my friends, means that the first twenty are gone!

I also went back and reviewed my measurements from the start of this journey.

Here are the old vs. new.

Natural waist - (39 in.) 35 in. - loss of 4 inches!

Hips - (47 in.) 43.5 in. - loss of 3.5inches!

Bust - (42 in.) 39.5 in. - loss of 2.5 inches!

Thigh - (24 in.) 23 in. - loss of 1 inch, per leg!

Upper arm - (13 in.) 12.5 in. - loss of 1/2 inch, per arm!

And, that means a total loss of 13 inches off my body.

Conversations

"Put down that Diet Coke. You aren't even supposed to be drinking pop."

"No, you don't need another slice of veggie pizza. You have had enough."

"Get out of the candy dish. M & Ms are NOT healthy for you."

These are phrases that I have been know to say. Usually they are directed to my children. This weekend, though, they were in my head. That internal battle of mind and body.

I struggled this weekend. All I wanted to do was eat. Food that is usually easy for me to pass up caused me to fight with myself. These foods are in my world. With a family, I can't ban foods. I want to learn self control so that I can live a balanced life.

Pizza is a part of life. We have pizza night at least once a month. They have control. They eat until they are not hungry (usually a piece or two) and are done. Why can't I do that? This weekend I wanted to eat until I was stuffed. I didn't, but then my mind kept thinking about the leftovers in the fridge. I knew if I caved into the temptation that I would be fine temporarily, and then I would feel guilty. I didn't cave. But it took until the next morning to stop yearning for that stupid pizza.

Sunday was a repeat, but this time with M&Ms that my husband bought while running errands. The whole family likes peanut M & Ms. I can't tell them not to eat them because I lack self control. I need to find balance. I had a small hanful, but wanted more. Despirately. Thank you to my blogging friends, Sabrina and Ann, who offered some kind words via Twitter. I needed outside encouragment. Thank you, girls!

So, this weekend was tough. I had converstations with myself and via Twitter that helped immensely. I made it and hope that I will have a better grasp on this week.


How do you handle those stressful moments filled with temptations? What helps you get through them - places, peoples, sayings?

Help! My iPod Needs YOU!

Okay dear friends, yesterday I did my second c25k workout. I felt great, but realized that I have one HUGE problem. My iPod music is lacking. I must have had to skip 30 songs (because the were s-l-o-w) during my workout - and it really started to get annoying. I need upbeat music to help me keep a good pace and pass the time.

What music do you like to run to? Please comment or email me. My iPod and I appreciate it.

Successes

The past 24 hours have been wonderful and slightly surreal. Here are some reasons why:


1. I compromised at lunch. I had packed my own food, but my Grandma had the kids and I over for lunch. I had a small serving of spaghetti (instead of my packed lunch), but then I did have the serving of fruit that I brought. Well balanced and a good example for my children.


2. I was able to exchange a dress and sweater at Old Navy for a smaller size! I am in love with the dress and can't wait for the weather to cooperate so I can wear it.


3. My husband helped prepare an amazing dinner of steak, mashed potatoes, and brocolli. I enjoyed a serving of potatoes, lots of brocolli, and 1/2 my steak. I left the table satisfied - not stuffed and guilty.


4. I went out in the freezing rain to get to the YMCA. Normally I would have let the inclement weather be an excuse for staying home.


5. At the Y I completed the first workout for the c25k program.



6. I was still smiling after the workout. I actually enjoyed myself.


7. I burned 285 calories. Not earth-shattering, but way better than the zero I would have burned staying home.

8. This is what the scale read this morning. 172.8!! That's a total loss so far of -19.4 pounds.

What have been your successes this week? Do share!

Good-bye Comfort Zone....Hello 5K

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. ~N.D. Walsch

As I read that quote on a blog last weekend it captured my attention. There is something so true about it.

5 months ago when I submitted an application to Jen to become a PFG I was so nervous. I didn't tell many people, and when finalists post were published, it took me a few days to even mention it on my own blog.

Writing about my journey and sharing it publicly was uplifting. I have found some wonderful supportive bloggers through that process. I find inspiration in their stories and appreciate the thoughts that they share.

So, when many of these wonderful blogger friends mentioned doing a 5k together, I was all in. I went out of my comfort zone and was welcomed warmly into the #priorfatpack. Thanks guys!

Now, let the training begin!

Guten Appetit

The past couple of weeks I have really focused on planning.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail!"

I have thought through my meals for the week, and made a mental list. Fruits and vegetables fill my cart, followed by meat - lots of chicken, milk, eggs, and bread (white for the kiddos, and wheat sandwich thins for me). I have cut way back on buying foods from the aisles, and what I have bought I have really been trying to watch the nutrition, especially calories and sodium.

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Typically during the week my breakfast looks like this:

The containers are vitamins, and I pack a protein bar. I know that some may argue that that isn't the greatest breakfast, but it's what works for me. I don't have much of an appetite right away, so I can eat my protein bar at school while my students have their morning snack.

This is lunch:

A salad, chicken breast pieces (~2 oz.), fat free dressing, fresh fruit, and yogurt.

My afterschool snack varies. I love the peppermint stick Luna bars, but often snack is a fruit (apple has been the one of choice), or some cocoa dusted almonds.

The other thing that has been really important for me to pack daily is water. Lots of water. I try to get atleast 8 glasses a day before I am done with work. I bring two 32oz. bottles of water with me every day.

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Tomorrow I won't be packing a lunch. I am on school break for two weeks. I am super excited for the time with my kids, but this is a bit nerve-wracking for me. It is much easier to eat a salad when that is the only thing that you have with. At home, on break, there are other options.

In the past, breaks have been a struggle for me. I have a huge issue with not-eating with my kids. I believe that when they eat, I should be having a meal too. But this break I have planned and I am ready!! I am ready to continue what have been working on since January - leading by example - days full of well balanced and nutritious food.

The Do

One of my favorite things is getting my hair cut. I love the little change, and the polished look that you get with a trim. I love the 'me' time, and I adore my stylist and getting a chance to chat with her. Tonight was a good night.

A Lifetime Ago

It seems like a lifetime ago when I last stepped on the scale and it read a number like this.

It really hasn't been a lifetime, but it might as well have been. It was March of 2004, and I had just found out I was pregnant with our first child, a son (you know, the one who turned 6 last November?!). I still have the doctor's records that said I was 171 that fateful day.

So, today I was elated when the scale read a number solidly in the 170's. And, to top it off, I wore the next size smaller in pants. That's a size that I haven't fit into in 7 years too.

Today was an amazing day!

Honestly, with conferences at school and having a nasty cough, I haven't worked out like I wanted to. I didn't think that the scale would have moved so much. But in my reflection, I realized that I didn't give myselft slack this weekend. I didn't work out, but I still stuck to healthy eating.

Sure, we ate out. The difference this weekend was that I choose the healthy option. I didn't give myself the excuse to enjoy a few fries or to choose the grilled sandwich. I had salad.

I had salad and I didn't feel deprived. I didn't let myself think about what I was "missing." I didn't have the pity party for myself about "why do I have to eat this?"

I made good choices because I wanted to. For me. For my kids that have never seen my body this size.

New 10's (Weigh in Wednesday Edition)

Today, I finally broke into a new set of tens. I am out of the 180s and elated to join the 170s.

That's -13.2 since January 3rd. Not as good as I hoped, but noting to shake a stick at either. I know that I need to increase my exercise, as that is the first thing that I let go when things get stressful or busy, so that will be my goal over the next month. The more I move my body, the more the scale will move downward too. Who knew?! :-)

How are you re-energerzing this month? Do share!