Truth Tuesday – 4.2 lb Loss & GOAL!!

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Well folks, I was really hoping for at least a 0.6 lb weight loss this week since I was at 59.4 lbs gone last week and I wanted to hit that lovely round # of 60 gone. I tracked everything this week - even when I let my guard down Friday and just enjoyed my goodbye dinner with my friend, I still wrote down everything I had - so I was hoping for a good loss. Also, despite being sick, I worked out at least 60 min every day. I liked the # I saw on the home scale this morning so I was hoping the Weight Watchers scale would be as nice, but you know what? It was EVEN better!! I lost 4.2 lbs this week for a total of 63.6 lbs gone ... and that means I passed my goal weight by 1.2 lbs!! :)

Today: Lost 4.2

Starting Weight: 217.4

Today’s Weight: 153.8

Total Lost: 63.6

Pounds From New Goal: NONE!! :)

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It is absolutely crazy to actually be at goal - like real goal not the fake goal I set before. Haha. I will not be changing the goal weight again ... for now ;) Haha. :P

It is surreal to see that I am at goal. I mean it is time to transition the brain from losing weight to maintaining. That starts by changing my daily allotment of points from 27 to 32. What will I do with those extra points? I told my Leader an extra glass of wine each night. ;)

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Since getting back from my honeymoon and starting my Dynamic December and Jammin' January challenges, which includes #back2basics, #30for60 and my #30daychip, I have lost 14.4 lbs!! Wow!

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I really want to thank each and every one of you that has traveled on this journey with me. Many times a day I just stop and think how truly lucky I am.

I really am proud of myself for sticking with this process. So many times I wanted to just stop and just eat everything in sight, but I knew I didn't need to do that. I didn't need to turn to food in emotional times. I could, and would, heading out for a run instead or putting in some time at the gym. Those endorphins can really do wonders.

I think I am still in so much shock that I can't even put into words what I am feeling. I am excited. I am thrilled. I am proud. I am nervous. I am anxious. I am fearful. But really? I am happy.

Isn't that all that matters?

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East Lakeview, Chicago Apartment for Rent

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3 Bedroom Apartment located in the East Lakeview / Boystown Area of Chicago

We are moving to Boston and need to sublet our apartment.  Lease would run through August which would then be renewable. Available Feb 1st. $1795 per month.

This is a fantastic 3 bedroom apartment in a vintage farmhouse. Building is a two flat and apartment is on lower level.  The landlord is super dog friendly. (sorry, no cats)

  • Free Laundry in Basement
  • Huge back deck - great for entertaining.
  • Updated Kitchen w/ Full Size Dishwasher, Ceramic Tile and Large 42" Cabinets
  • Updated Bathroom with Jacuzzi style tub and "rain" style shower head.
  • Ceiling Fans in every room.
  • Brand new furnace - you control the heat.
  • Hardwood Floors throughout the front of the house
  • Formal Living and Dining rooms with built in Hutch
  • Parking Available - Please Inquire
  • Small fenced in front yard for pets
Great East Lakeview Location on a quiet residential street.  Very easy walk to all the shops, bars and restaurants on Halsted, Broadway, Clark and Belmont.  Walking Distance to Wrigley Field! Buses half a block away, and the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple L station is less than 3 blocks away.  Great neighborhood, everything is close!
To view the apartment simply call 309-212-4739 or email Tori to set up an appointment.

Drum Roll Please...

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I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that I "Bit the bullet and made the biggest decision of her life to date..." and many have been wondering what the big news is. Well it is finally time to reveal it... The wife and I are moving to Boston January 29.

I know this may be a big shock to many of you, but it has been something we have been thinking about for awhile.

There isn't an immediate game plan besides safely getting ourselves and the pups from Chicago to Boston in one piece.

Yesterday, January 4, marked my 4-year anniversary in Chicago. I am appreciative for all the memories, people and good times I have had in Chicago, but I think it is time for me to move back home to be closer to family and friends.

The wife and I are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives...

Wordless Wednesday

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The motivation that keeps me going every day...

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Me cheersing my WW guru, Suzi Storm, in the new Weight Watchers commercial that premiered NYE!

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Sometimes you end up in a magazine and it is surreal... Thanks again TimeOut Chicago!

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Hard work pays off! 0.6 lbs from 60 gone and 3 lbs from goal... I Believe! :)

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Enjoy your Wednesdays everyone!!

Truth Tuesday – 1.2 lb Loss

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This week I didn't weigh-in at home once, which is sooo unlike me, but things kept getting in the way of my 8am weigh-in time. This led to me going into today's weigh-in pretty blindly. I weighed in at home at 7am and was down 1.5 lbs from last week. Okay! I would be happy with anything over a 1lb loss (even though I was internally wanting a 1.8 lb loss so I could hit 60 lbs gone) because it would be a loss. I headed to my new 8am weigh-in at my future Weight Watchers meeting and was pleasantly told of a 1.2 lb loss! Yay!! I am just 0.6 lbs from the 60 lb weight loss mark...

Today: Lost 1.2

Starting Weight: 217.4

Today’s Weight: 158.0

Total Lost: 59.4

Pounds From New Goal: 3.0

I am hoping to hit the 60 lb weight loss mark next week, but will be happy with any loss on the scale.

I don't have too much new to report today since I did a LOT of blog posting this weekend as you can all see.

I am hoping to just keep taking each day one at a time and keep getting back to basics!!

But, for today? I Believe In Me! :)

Mirror, Mirror...

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Mirrors. I have never been a fan of them. To be expected when I have been overweight most of my life. Even now that I have become slightly more comfortable with my new body, I am still not a big fan of them. When we moved into our new apartment in August, it took my wife and I a few weeks to realize that we didn't have a single full length mirror in the entire apartment. All we had was one small mirror above the sink in the bathroom.

After making the wife take iPhone pics of me when I had to see how an outfit looked, we decided it was finally time to buy a full length mirror. So now we have one. Well, it is sitting on the floor in the bedroom ... progress right? Now, I just do a nice squatting move to see myself in it. Maybe we will hang it up soon ... but what's the rush? :0)

Back in September, I wrote about how sometimes I look in the mirror and see the old me staring back. It is something that still holds true today. Despite losing 58 lbs, I still look up and see the old me staring back. Could be one reason I still don't like looking in the mirror.

Well, this morning, I took a leap. I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and just looked. I didn't let myself look away. I just stared back into my own eyes and...

I could see:

Pride. How could I not be proud of myself when I really let myself see the new me. I have been strong. I have been committed to something for two solid years. I could've given up. I could've gotten lazy. But, I haven't. If I have faltered, I have gotten back on plan. I have kept going ... forward!

Determination. I have set a goal and I want to meet it. I don't like failing. I don't like letting myself down. I don't like letting other people down. I have gained such a support group over the past year that I keep you all with me. You were on my shoulder this morning in the bathroom - looking at me too. Giving me your constant support.

Fear. What if I fail? What if I let this large support group down? What if I can't keep it off? What if I stop losing? What if I let one bad day lead into two weeks or a month? What if I disappoint myself? What if I disappoint you all?

It is kind of a double edged sword when you open your journey up to the world. I love that I have that support and accountability, but on the other side, I have that many people watching my every move. Everything I eat - I post. Every weigh-in - gain or loss - I post. I am happy I have taken this route - started this blog - but I also fear that I will fail.

But, the thought of failing, keeps me going. I know that if I do have an off week or I get off course, you all will bring me back. You want me to succeed as much as I do and I thank you for that.

Love. For the first time in a long time, I really do overall like - okay love -for myself. I have, and will always be, my own worst critic. But, little by little, during this journey I am allowing myself to accept the compliments from others. I am allowing myself to like who I am. I do not have to be perfect. I don't have to succeed at everything on the first try. I just have to keep trying. I like that about me ... I LOVE that about me.

Inspiration. This is a hard one for me to really grasp my head around. I am just me. I am nothing special, but I can see that I inspire others to take their weight loss or fitness journey into their own hands. Sharing my story has helped others look at their own lives and work to improve what they can. Wow! That is a huge responsibility that I am happy and honored to undertake. Helping others, helps me. This drives me to hit Lifetime with Weight Watchers so I can someday be a WW leader!

Dislike. I know this looks like it should negate the "love" I saw. But, I am a work in progress. There are still things I see that I don't like. Why can't I decide where the weight I lose comes from? My fingers are skinny enough, let's get some weight off my butt. Ya know? There are things about me I still dislike, but as I wrote about I "overall" like myself a lot more than I have in the past. That - is progress!

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Taking time to really look at myself in the mirror is something that I need to start doing more regularly. Really checking in with what is going on in my brain. I am working every day to see what others see in me ...

New Year's Day 5k - 1/1/12 - 25:27 (8:13 min/mile) - PR

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There were many reasons I was looking forward to this New Year's Day 5k, but the most important was that I would be able to run the race this year. Last year, my wife and I signed up to run the New Year's Day 5k and then BAM! Herniated disc. See ya later activity. What could I do? Walk. That was it. I technically wasn't supposed to walk for more than 30 minutes a day, but I had already paid for the 5k. I was going to do it. So my wife and I got out there last year on 1/1/11 and walked the 5k. It took about 48 minutes to complete. I felt accomplished, but upset I couldn't try my hardest.

So once the race registration opened for 2012, I was on it. I was determined to run it this year. Yes, I know I just got diagnosed with an IT band/patella injury, but the PT told me I could run today. I had withheld from running for 2 weeks so it was okay to test it.

Getting off the bus and walking to the pre-race area was a rush ... not just from the wind gusts Chicago was rocking today. Wow! I have really progressed since this time last year. Heck, I lost 27 lbs this year ... that alone was monumental!

Despite feeling some soreness in my knee, I was ready to complete the run (plus it was MUCH warmer than last year). I had my patella brace on. I was stretched. I wasn't going to push for a PR since my eye is on the F^3 Events Lake Half on January 28 - but I wanted to finish in under 27 minutes if possible.

(Note: Crazy that I now push for sub 27 min 5k. My first 5k was 38 min and for years I tried to get under 30 min and now, now I amaze myself)

I kissed the wife before we started and we were off. Wow! Did getting back on the path feel gooood. I didn't care that my knee hurt. I hadn't run in two weeks and my body missed it.

Throughout the first 1/2 mile, I felt some sharp knee pains, but I adjusted my knee brace and pushed on. There was NO WAY I was going to stop running.

As the race went on the pain turned to more of a dull, constant pain. This is to be expected the PT said.

I saw the sign for Mile One and was psyched, I was sub 9 minute miles and ready to push myself. I got back into my normal groove and started to pick up the pace. As I saw the sign for Mile Two, I realized my pace was about 8:20 per mile. My PR is 8:14. Okay, time to go all out. I knew I wouldn't be running for a few more weeks so might as well give it all I had today ... now that there was a shiny PR in sight.

I got to Mile Three right as my Runkeeper announced 25 minutes. Okay, time to go all out.

I crossed the Finish, hit the Runkeeper, looked down and saw an unofficial time of 25:26 (8:13 min/mile) ... A PR by 8 seconds! You gotta be kidding me. :) I couldn't stop smiling. I knew I would have to wait for the official results, but my Runkeeper isn't usually off by that much.

My knee was sore after the race, but just the same dull, nagging, constant pain.

After realizing I had dropped $12 out of my pocket (Happy New Year whoever found it), the wife and I headed home and I iced my knee/foam rolled.

I really hate how long it takes some organizers to post the results, but I understand they have post-race parties/lives ... but still. I am anxious! :)

Finally got the results...

My Runkeeper was off by only one second: I got a new shiny PR of 25:27 (8:13 min/mile) and cut seven seconds from previous PR (25:34)! I finished 155th overall (out of 753), 40th among women (out of 411) and fifth in my division - F 25-29 (out of 49)! Okay well tied for fourth on the last one. The girl listed before me had the same time (25:27), but must've crossed just before me.

But, man I will take it. Last year, I could only walk the race and this year I PRed. I am feeling truly lucky and blessed right now. So happy to have reclaimed my love of running!! Because if you didn't know...

Running Changes Everything

Jammin' January

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Welcome to 2012 everyone! Who else is as excited as I am for what it can hold? Who else set some great fitness goals for the 366 days 2012 holds? I am coming off one of the best months I have had weight loss wise in awhile: Dynamic December.

Here is the biggest thing I hope to accomplish this month ... hit my new goal weight. That means I need to lose 4.2 lbs this month. It will be tough with my work schedule picking up, but I am going to give it a whirl! And here is my motivation:

So let's get on to a new phase: Jammin' January! Catchy? Maybe? No?

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1) #100ozchallenge - This is actually the first challenge that I started on my own! I have even had 15 people say they are interested in participating. Woo! I feel wicked cool. Okay, that wasn't cool. Dammit!

Anyway, this is a pretty simple challenge: drink at least 100oz water a day. That's it. Keep yourself hydrated during the winter months. I just saw on twitter today that "Dehydration can cause ageing & can slow down metabolism as much as 3%" - I am here to not let that happen! Stay hydrated!!

2) #plankaday - This has been lifechanging for me. I am not one for crunches, especially with my back injury, so this is a great way to get some core work in without sitting and doing a bunch of crunches - I don't want to do - on the floor.

This program was started by Dr. Sherry Pagoto (@drsherrypagoto) and is open to interpretation. For me, I started with doing a 60 second forearm plank every day for a week. The next week I upped it by 5 seconds and did 65 second forearms planks every day for a week. I did 5 second increments until I could hold a forearm plank for 120 seconds - yes! I can hold a plank for 2 minutes. Ahhh, I never thought that was possible.

I am now working on improving my side planks. This week I am doing 2 60 second straightarmed planks and 2 45 second straightarmed planks on both sides.

I am going to continue to do my #plankaday every day. I am enjoying the versatility and loving the #plankaday community.

3) #30for60 - The #30for60 challenge was created by Samantha (@runcupcake) and Jim (@runbikesurf). The jist is to keep people moving for a minimum 30 minutes every day for the next 60 days (so December 1-February 1). This will helpfully be an easier task for me since I will be using the same activity for Weight Watchers, #30daychip & #30for60. But, I will take as much motivation as I can.

This challenge does have a possible prize attached to it, but I don't usually get caught up in those since I don't usually win contests. :P

4) #back2basics - I think this is a great challenge and it was a huge success for me last month. I also like this challenge (started by Colleen - @tryn2bfit) because it again leaves the choice of what you focus on up to the individual. I think that is a great way to keep people's attention and driven when they are working on something extremely personal.

For me, I will be focusing on hitting all 6 of the Weight Watchers Healthy Guidelines. Every day of the month I will be sure to have my required amounts of liquids (water), fruits/veggies, vitamins, dairy, healthy oils & exercise.

5) #FT100- This is an amazing challenge set up by a couple of my fellow #FFCheer peeps. For me, it was a no-brainer to join. The deal: run 100 miles by January 31, 2012 - roughly 62 days). This works out to about 1.6 miles a day or a little over 11 miles a week.

Unfortunately, I have been derailed in this challenge due to a recent IT band/patella injury so with 30 days remaining I am just 34 miles in to the 100 needed. It's okay. I am going to keep trying and get back to it whenever my Physical Therapist gives me the a-ok.

6) #30daychip - I owe a lot of success to the man that created the #7daychip/#30daychip program: Brad Gansberg (@bradgansberg). He has been a great motivator and has gotten me back on track more times than I can count.

This is yet another great challenge that you set for yourself. I have done a few different #7daychip topics, which you can see here.

The basic premise is to do something healthy for seven consecutive days ... or if you are feeling like you want a real challenge you can go for 30 or 100 days.

For this, #30daychip (which today marks Day 36) I am looking to track my food every day. That means: log it into Weight Watchers eTools, write it up as a food log post on my blog and Facebook/Tweet it out.

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What will you be doing to make the most out of your own Jammin' January?

Dynamic December Recap

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On December 1st, I laid out six challenges that I wanted to complete during the month of December. I know people thought that was a lot, but I knew that many overlapped making the process a tad easier. Well, I can happily report that I not only completed the six tasks (pending injury), but I managed to lose 9 lbs during the last month. 9 whole pounds. Wow! I am pretty pretty pretty darn proud of myself.

This month helped me get back on track after an October and November when I felt I was slowly losing control on my eating habits. But now, I have been able to keep them under control for the past 35 days - ever since I got back from my Honeymoon ... and man do I feel good. :)

I feel in control ... strong ... healthy ... lean ... and most importantly: happy with where I am at right now.

I never really imagined that I would walk in to the gym and type my weight into a machine that started with a 1 then a 5. :)

Let's go through some of the challenges themselves...

1) #hlgFitGift - This challenge actually ended on Christmas Eve. It was a 90-day challenge and my goal was to work out for 30 min each of those days. I wasn't as focused at the beginning of the challenge, but I was able to knock out 30 min of activity every day from November 27-December 24. I had a little Healthy Loser Gal (Jan, who ran the challenge) on my shoulder making sure I hit the gym or the Lakefront.

2) #plankaday - This has been a challenge I have been involved with since August. I am feeling a long stronger since starting this. I am not a crunches type of person so doing planks is a great ab workout without having to get on the floor and do a bunch of crunches. Plus, planks don't bother my old neck injury like crunches do. This is a challenge I will keep with me for a loooong time. :)

3) #30for60 - This is an ongoing challenge that I will also keep participating in in 2012. It started December 1 and continues through the end of January. Goal is to complete at least 30 min of activity every day. This is great since Weight Watchers recommends the same thing so it really drives me to get to the gym in the mornings.

I actually told Samantha who started the challenge in a tweet the other day how much I enjoy putting my workouts in my excel spreadsheet and looking at how much I accomplished in the first month of the challenge. Can't wait to keep rocking it in January.

4) #back2basics - This has been the challenge that has changed me the most over the past 31 days. I decided that my goal would be to accurately track my point, complete the 5 Weight Watchers food healthy checks, measure my food and write down everything I eat and drink every day ... just like in the beginning of my Weight Watchers journey.

Wow! This has given me more than I could've thought. Besides losing 9 lbs and getting me within 4.2 lbs of my new goal weight, but I am feeling healthier and enjoying my well balanced diet. But, don't get me wrong, I still enjoy Chinese food, wine and tater tots ... just in moderation and built into my game plan for the week. :)

I will be continuing this challenge for as long as I can.

5) #FT100 - Well this challenge has been derailed by a recent IT band/patella injury, but as soon as I am cleared to get back to my normal running routine - I will pick up right where I left off!!

6) #30daychip - This has been another great motivator. I started this on November 27 when I got back from Hawaii. My #30daychip has been 4-fold: complete my daily #plankaday (also fulfilled #2), exercise for at least 30 min (also fulfilled #1, 3 & 4), track everything (also fulfilled #4) and to complete all 6 of the Weight Watchers Healthy Checks (also fulfilled #4). I have successfully checked off these four things for each of the past 35 days (today is day 36)! Again, I am going to keep this one going as long as I can...

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Now comes the big decision ... after such a success Dynamic December, what will I challenge myself to accomplish in January? Plus, I need a catchy hashtag name! ;)