My Weight Loss Journey: The first 12 weeks!

I've completed my first round in my weight loss journey!  I've lost 12 pounds in 12 weeks (4.74% of my body weight), and I really couldn't be happier.  :) 

People keep asking me what I'm doing to lose weight and it's really quite simple.  I'm just eating better (not FABULOUS or anything, but a lot better than I have been) ... no fast food, only 1-2 sodas (diet) a day.  I mainly drink water now.  No snacking throughout the day, or if I do have a snack it's something low calorie.  My biggest issue right now is eating at night.  I tend to have a snack or two (low cal, but still ...) after the kids are in bed and I know that's not good, but it's soooo hard to break that habit.  And, my biggest thing I'm doing right now is exercising.  I'm not a big believer in fad diets or the like ... for me, the only real way to lose weight is to stay active.  I'm doing 45 minutes of cardio 4 days a week and burning around 450 calories each time. 

Here's my comparison pictures .. I hope you all can tell a difference.  I certainly can, and it REALLY shows in my clothing.  I have GOT to buy some new pants ASAP!

Skinny Mama: Update!

I haven't posted about this in a few weeks mainly because there hasn't been anything exciting to report.  I hit the dreaded plateau that I seem to hit every couple of weeks and it tends to last for about 2 weeks each time.  But, I'm happy to report that I lost 1.5 lbs this week bringing my total weight lost up to 15 lbs since the end of January.  I really need to go shopping and get a new pair of pants or two because my current ones just hang on me now.  I look like I have no butt and I'm starting to lose my hips.  Well, I guess they're still there, just smaller now.  :)  I'm 5 lbs away from my FIRST goal of 20 lbs, so I'm incredibly excited about that.  I'm hoping by the end of April I will have shed those last 5 lbs, so I can move on to goal number two.

And, this is what my current workout plan looks like (for anyone who might care):

40 minutes of cardio (every other day)
Squats, triceps, biceps and abs (on the alternating day)

Skinny Mama: Week Six

Another awesome week for me!!  Down another 4 lbs from last week - thank you, Raspberry Ketones.  There isn't a doubt in my mind that if it weren't for them I would not be losing so much so quickly.  Losing this much so fast isn't really that great for me, but I'll take it.  I don't plan to gain it back.  I'm making lifestyle/diet changes and I plan to stick with that once I get to my goal weight, so I guess I'm just not that worried about gaining it all back.  So, totals after six weeks of dieting/exercising - 13.5 lbs lost or 5.3% of my total starting body weight.  :)

Skinny Mama: Week Five

WOW!  This week was amazing.  I'm VERY proud!!!  This morning's weigh-in revealed that I am down another 3.5 lbs from last week.  So, so far for anyone who is keeping track that's 9.5 lbs lost (MFP rounds up, so that's why my ticker to the left says 10 lbs) or 3.75% of my total starting weight.  I'm pretty proud seeing as how I've only been at this for 5 weeks.

I'm exercising for 30-45 minutes 3 or 4 times a week.  And, I'm really watching what I eat and how much I eat.  It's been rough at times, but I'm still moving in the right direction, so I'm really feeling motivated!  I also started taking a Raspberry Ketone supplement on Tuesday that has helped curb my appetite some and really control those mid-day/mid-evening cravings.  It's also given me a lot more energy which I really believe is helping to burn off extra fat. Stay tuned for next week!  I can only hope that I'll have that great of a loss to report.  :)

Skinny Mama: Week Four

I totally forgot to update this week on my Skinny Mama challenge.  I still wasn't feeling all that great going into Thursday's weigh-in, but I lost 1 lb, so I guess I'm okay with that.  I've officially lost 6 lbs toward my 20 lb goal.  I'm very happy with that!  I've heard (and I have experience with this) that if you lose too much too fast, you tend to gain it all back and I really don't want to do that, so I'm just trying to take it slow and steady.  I'm kicking it up a notch this week on the dieting and exercising, so I'm already starting to feel good for this coming week's weigh-in.

Also, at some point this week I should be getting my raspberry ketones, so I'm going to be taking those.  I'm not all that familiar with them, but what I've read pretty much says that they help speed up your metabolism thus making your burn more fat faster.  We'll see how well they work.  I'm skeptical on pretty much anything like this, but Dr. Oz had a show about them once and so I'm willing to give it a try!  Once I get them and start taking them, I'll report back on how well they seem to work.  :)

Skinny Mama: Week Three

Not a whole lot to report this week, but I didn't want to NOT write something.  I gained a pound.  :(  Not sure how that's possible since I've been eating the same and exercising the same, but it happened nonetheless.  So just putting my nose to the grindstone and getting on with it for next week!!

Skinny Mama: Week Two

I was pretty confident going in to today's weigh-in.  I knew I had kept pretty much in line with my diet and I had exercised 5 out of the 7 days this week, which is my plan for every week.  But, I wasn't prepared for what the scale would say .... I lost another 4 lbs!  So, for anyone who might be keeping track, that's 6 lbs in 2 weeks.  I'm pretty proud!!  I will say, though, that I was pretty sick yesterday and didn't eat much.  I guess the true test will be if I can keep that off and possibly lose another pound or two in the next week.  I sure hope I can, so fingers crossed!!  :)

Skinny Mama: Week One

I've been on my new diet/exercise regimen for just over a week now.  Some friends and I have a "Biggest Loser" contest going to see who can lose the highest percentage of body fat in 12 weeks, and I'm determined to win!  I've really changed the way I was eating: no more snacking all day long, and when I do snack it's fruit or 100 calorie packs, smaller portions at meal time, less carbs and more protein/fruits/veggies.  And, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week, doing about 30-35 minutes of cardio each day.  I'm pretty impressed with my willpower, but ya know ... when there's money involved, you do what you gotta do! :)  In all seriousness, though, I'm sick of myself.  I have to do something because I'm NOT healthy and I'm in terrible shape.  I'm already feeling a ton better and like I have more energy most days, too.  My attitude has been better this past week and my temper (which can be out of control some days) has been much more under control, as well.  I'm really hoping this is the "new me" because I LOVE it!

And, my stats this week (our weigh-in is on Thursday, so I'm a little late) are just that I lost a whole 2 lbs.  :)  Not a lot, but I don't really want to lose it fast because I'll just gain it all back at some point, so a slow and steady loss will be just fine! :)