Weightloss Challenge Update: Week 6

I figured that it was time for an update, and since I've lost a little weight I'm not embarrassed to post this :) You can read my first weight loss challenge post Here.


I can't believe it's been six weeks of the challenge already, and that it's half way over! I feel like I have made some changes and I'm slowly starting to see some results. My numbers aren't as low as I'd like, but I am feeling tons better. I have more energy, it's easier to do certain things, my moods are better...I'm just all around better! Since I'm feeling better my husband feels better too! He is more energetic and happier! I guess the saying is true, if Mama's happy, everyone's happy!


To lose weight and become healthier, I've made a few changes to my diet. Here is what I try to follow:
Breakfast- Herbalife shake
Morning snack- A protein and a carb totaling around 200 calories. Usually cheese and an apple or greek yogurt.
Lunch- Herbalife shake or a healthy meal. Usually a salad with a lean protein.
Afternoon snack- Herbalife shake (if I didn't have one for lunch) or a protein and carb worth around 200 calories. Usually crackers and peanut butter or a special K bar.
Dinner- A healthy dinner of a lean protein and lots of veggies. 
Evening snack- I sometimes have an evening snack of light popcorn, frozen yogurt, cheese and crackers, or whatever else I'm craving :)
In addition I take a multi-vitamin, calcium, fish oil, and B12. I also take a metabolism booster called Total Control from Herbalife. This combined with the healthy eating really makes me feel great. I enjoy taking the total control. It gives me energy without making me feel jittery, like other 'diet' pills do. 
I'm trying to increase my water intake, as I haven't been getting enough. I feel like I'm drinking all day! If anyone has any tips to drinking all that water, please share!
I haven't been exercising as much lately. Life just got a little crazy for a couple of weeks. Now that things are calmed back down I'm going to exercise more, like I was. Currently I do Zumba twice a week and I do something at least one other day of the week. Usually I go for a walk, but sometimes I do a workout DVD at home. I was walking four to five times a week, I need to get back to doing that. 


Now onto my stats...
Week one - 243 lbs
Week six - 238 lbs
For a loss of 5 lbs! If I start at my heaviest of 250 lbs that puts me at a loss of 12 lbs! It isn't much, but I am happy with these results! I need to amp it up a bit if I'm going to meet my goal of losing 20 lbs for the challenge. I have six weeks left and I think I can do it! :)
I have lost a few inches too. A couple around my thigh and one around my chest and a couple around my hips. I have written down what my measurements are now, but I don't know what I started as. 


Like I said, I am feeling great!  I'm not really focusing too much on my numbers for now. As long as they are going down, I'm happy. 
Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this. And super thank you to those of you who commented on my last weight loss post. Your kind words of encouragement really mean a lot to  me. 
If YOU are struggling with weight related issues, you're not alone! Feel free to contact me and we can be in this together :)

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Weightloss Challenge: Weeks 1, 2 and 3

Hello lovelies!
This is a very personal post about my weight struggles. I am sharing a bit of my history just to give a better understanding of where I'm coming from and I find this therapeutic. I'm planning to post regular updates of how things are going.

Three weeks ago I decided to join a 12 week weight loss challenge and Zumba class! I have been overweight for some time now and recently saw the scale climb to 250lbs! I could not believe that I had let myself get that heavy. Being so close to 300lbs was a huge wake up call.
I haven't always been heavy. I had always been averaged sized. I believe I was around 140lbs when I graduated High School 8 years ago. Soon after I started college I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. That, coupled with poor eating habits and lack of exercise have really made me pack on the pounds.
I have tried losing weight at different times but have never stuck with a program long enough to lose any significant weight. I had my son in June of 2010. I did not gain a ton of weight while pregnant but I haven't been able to lose what I did gain. In fact, I weigh more now than when I was nine months pregnant.
By chance I saw a facebook post about a weight loss challenge and Zumba class. I've thought that Zumba would be fun to try and I figure if I commit to a class then I have people to hold me accountable. I invited a few friends and started the challenge September 26.
Here are my stats so far:
Starting weight, Week 1- 243
Week 2- 246
Week 3- 243
I am disappointed in my self for gaining the second week. I would have started blogging about the challenge right off the bat, but I didn't want to start with a gain! I am very happy and proud of myself for losing the third week. 3 pounds isn't much, but it's a starting point!

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read all of this. If you are currently stuggling with your weight just know that you are not alone and it is possible to change things.

Much love,
J