Extreme Makeover: Weightloss Edition

Such an inspiring show!!! So inspiring in fact that I'm cutting this post short to go exercise at 11:30pm. For such a time as this, the 100 workout.
Grace and Peace. See ya in the morning.

-Char

Get it in!!!!!

Hello Blogger Friends,

Again I say, I am still alive. Check out my new running shoes!!! Ok, I've had them for about 5 weeks now. My Dad bought them for me during his visit for the little guys first birthday!!! Woo Hoo. I normally don't like reeboks...I'm sad to admit my vanity, but they just never looked pleasing enough. But these!!!! These shoes feel soooooooo comfortable! I was initially looking for cross-trainers, but I have decided to take up jogging/running. Therefore, I got running shoes. The little doohickeys on the bottoms of the shoe make it feel like a massage on the balls of my feet. *sigh* Although these shoes are marketed from running, they feel good doing cross-training exercises as well. They are so much better than my 10+ year old New Balance sneaks.

So enough with the avoidance...you may have noticed my absence the last month or so. There were a few things that got in the way, but the main one was that I felt I was becoming OBSESSED with food/exercise/weight loss. And not in a good way. I almost felt like I was going to go crazy or develop some sort of eating disorder or something. So, I took a break from the strictness of it all. I stopped counting calories. I stopped doing such a hardcore exercise regimen. I stopped abstaining from desserts. And guess what? I gained 7lbs.!!!! Go figure! But it's ok, I feel like I have my sanity back, and now I am back and ready to take on the task of fitness/health/weight loss again. Now I am trying to find a healthy balance between exercise/food for life. I have gone back to abstaining from dessert with a once/week moderate indulgence. I did P90X Legs & Back today, and I plan to continue on with P90X until it gets mundane. Then I'll switch it up with a nice run or outdoor training. We have been having beautiful weather here in the SF Bay Area. So that's where I've been, that's where I am. I currently weigh 169.0lbs. I'm still shooting to reach my fitness/weight goals for 2011. I'm kind of pooped from my late night workout, so I'm going to cut this post short. I'm glad to be back, and I hope this post finds you all well. Until next time. Grace and Peace.

~Char

P.S. I'm thinking of posting my daily exercise/food for the day just to keep it interesting. We shall see....

I'm still alive!!!

Hello Blogger,

I know I haven't been on for a couple of weeks. I dropped in to say hello; I am still alive. I don't get much free time, but when I do I use my time doing what I'm most feeling passionate about. Lately, crochet has trumped blogging! I will be posting what I've been working on soon! Hope all is well with you all! Keep on pushing! Grace and peace!

Whirling Thoughts...

Hello Blogger,

Did anyone else watch Biggest Loser Tuesday? It is amazing how those people lost soooo much weight, soooo fast. Not only that, but all they've overcome and gained in such a short time. I am inspired. There seems to be something really special about those competing this season. With that said, I know that they have basically given up their lives to dedicated hours upon hours to the show, but it makes me want to do so much more with my personal journey. I feel like I'm at a standstill. Since I've been counting calories, I'm usually under my calories everyday. But this past week, I have gone over calories everyday except one. The funny thing is, I'm not binging or eating desserts and such...unless cereal counts ;-) I just can't seem to keep it under wraps. Granted, I did have a few special occasions last week that including eating away from home...you know how that can go, especially when the main dish is pasta. I kept my portions under control, but that doesn't matter much when small portions have so many calories. I know I'm rambling...but I feel like a failure when I'm not strictly sticking to the plan I set before me. Ergo, my need to do MORE.
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The need to do more isn't necessarily a bad thing. I want to do more physical activity and outdoor exercise. But that's not always possible with the baby and the weather. hmmm...I'm going to stop talking about this. Instead I'm going to figure out a plan of action, and set a goal to accomplish accordingly. I'll get back to you on that one...
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On another note, I orchestrated a weight loss competition. It was for twelve weeks with a $25 entry fee for the prize pot to the biggest loser of their body percentage. The final weigh-in for that will be this Saturday. Ask me how I've done? For the competition I've lost 5lbs! lol. The unfortunate part for me is that I'm losing definite inches, but not many pounds...let me rephrase that. The unfortunate part for me "for the competition"...you get the point. Woo hoo for losing inches and consistently working out 5/6 times per week and staying away from dessert!!! I must celebrate the positive things!!!
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On a more serious/inspiration note, I've been reading a lot of blogs regarding the topic of binge eating for suppressing unwanted feelings/thoughts. Rather, eating for the pleasure or because of depression and stress. I think it's important to parrot the many thoughts regarding it. FOOD DOES NOT FULFILL/RESOLVE THE THINGS WRONG OR HURTFUL IN YOU LIFE.  I think it's important for those of you dealing with overeating, or unhealthy eating to ask yourself are you really hungry or what else you may be feeling? What are you trying to suppress or satisfy with [insert food(s) here]. Once you realize what the real issue is, deal with that and stop filling it with food. Because food will fail every time...

Grace and Peace,

Char

Another Mini Goal Reached!!!



(No, my hair isn't done yet)

 Hello Blogger Friends,

I was so excited this Saturday!! Why you ask? Well, a few years ago, my aunt was giving away some clothes that were too small. I eyed a pair of size 12 tan slacks that I always admired. So, I took them off of the pile. Sadly, I was never able to fit them. Did that stop me from keeping them and wishing? No! The funny thing is that I wasn't in the middle of losing weight or anything. I just didn't want to part with them! lol. Anywho, somehow they became my goal pants. I have been trying them on here and there for the past few months, wondering if/when I'd finally be able to button them up (They had been waaaayyyy too small by the way. I wasn't even close to being able to button them!) As my weight loss journey has progressed, I slowly began to notice that I was able to bring the pants closer and closer to buttoning. Then about one month ago, I was able to button them! But they still were too tight. I refused to wear them too tight. So, I patiently waited...until this past Friday, I tried them on and they fit! Yes, they fit! I reached my second mini-goal on this journey; the first being moving from obese to overweight on the bmi scale!!! Yaaayyyy!!! And what perfect timing. I was trying to figure out what I would where to the Mother's Day Luncheon my church ministry team was organizing. I tried on those pants and decided that they would be it! The Mother's Day Luncheon was awesome! We had great worship, fellowship, and word. And, my pants felt great! lol.

Well, I just wanted to come on and share that. I have more to say, but it's late, and I have to get some shut eye. I pray that you all had a great Mother's Day. I sure did. Grace and Peace.

~Char

P.S. If you have goal pants/skirt/whatever, something I wish I'd done is to take a picture of how they fit to begin with. That way you'll get a really gratifyinng look at where you came to where you've arrived!