FYI....

I'm pregnant & due April 10, 2010! We couldn't be happier and are so excited for all the fun and exciting changes going on in our lives! I'm feeling great so far and keeping up with my diet and exercise. I'm about 4 months along and have only gained about 5 pounds so far (depending on the day). I feel great though and am trying to take care of my body as best as I can so that I can drop right back down to my pre-prego weight quickly. We'll see how the second half of this pregnancy goes though. :) If you want more details, feel free to ask for an invite to my personal blog. Just leave your e-mail  below. :) Thanks for all the support!

I feel HUGE!

I'm really really just mad right now.

This is my last month:
* No energy.
* Out of breath, weak, and tired oh-so-easily when I run or do anything. {If you know me... this is not like me!}
* I'll call it "24-hr bloated-ness"
* No longer fit into my regular jeans 'cuz I'm too big.
* My "fat pants" are getting really tight on me.
* Headaches that really bug me more often than I'm used to.

I seriously just want to cry...

I need someone to kick me.

If I could afford to get a personal trainer to just yell at me and keep me on track I would, but there is no way I could afford that.

I'm having a really frustrating time with this if you can't tell.

I have never felt out of shape more in my life. Even when I weighed 15-20lbs heavier I was still able to run easier and had more energy than I do now. What is my problem?

I need help. Please!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Yay!

So, my birthday present to myself is my health. I feel amazing so far and just plan on continuing my journey to better health.

Start Weight Loss Goal: 17.6lbs
Previous weight to go: 14.2lbs
This morning: 13.2lbs

Woo-hoo! I know that the first few pounds usually come off faster than the last ones. I'm liking how this is going so far though! Yes, I intentionally weighed-in the morning of my birthday versus the day after because I do plan on enjoying my birthday dinner a bit!

Yesterday I went on a run. First one in a while. HOT & HARD. It's amazing what not running for a few weeks can do to your physical fitness levels! I was able to bust out about 2.33 miles still, but it was difficult. I had to start walking when I felt my head begin to pound from a headache. I've been doing a few strength training exercises at home, but I don't think they are enough to make a huge difference just yet.

I was at the library w/ my DH yesterday evening and tried looking up information regarding female strength training. What I found is that almost every book designed for women was "fluffed" up and simplified. The books designated for males were loaded with so much more beneficial information and exercises that were more challenging. That's what I'm looking for. The problem is that the strength training plan designed for the men focused on the chest, shoulders, and butt. I would rather focus on my legs, butt, abs, and arms. I don't want my chest to shrink anymore! Ha ha!

I'm excited to implement the exercises though and write-up my own strength training, stretching, and cardio routine that will follow my goals and hopefully prove successful!

I'll let you know how it goes!

For now, I'm going to go and enjoy the rest of my Birthday!
(Down 1# was a nice birthday gift to myself I'll have to admit!)

I Refuse!

I refuse to be unhealthy before/after childbirth.
I refuse to be overweight/obese after childbirth.
I refuse to be a "couch" babysitter.
I refuse to contribute to the growing obese children population.
I refuse to be lazy.
I refuse to make excuses to why I can't go for a walk or do some exercise while I'm pregnant.
I refuse to gain any more weight.
I refuse being at risk of diabetes.

This all stops now! Being overweight is really tiring, where did my energy go? I'm such a slug. Ok Karisa, point me in the right direction. I need to get back into shape. Teach me the ways of fitness.

Progress Already!

I weighed myself on Monday morning instead. Honestly, I wanted to see a "difference". Ha ha... I'm bad I know. BUT.....

I saw a difference. Initially I had 17.6lbs.
I only have 14.2 more lbs to go now!
That's down 3.4lbs!

Of course that does include the difference between weigh-in times. I'll be doing my weigh-ins in the morning now to maintain consistency.

I've been strictly monitoring my calories. I've been making sure that I'm getting the adequate amount of calories from protein to help build muscle. Only problem is that I haven't done much in the working-out arena lately.

I'm sure once I start doing that I'll be able to see greater improvements in my tone. I'll get on that...

This is basically going to be my journal for my "journey to fitness" (or weight-loss).

PS- Tomorrow is my birthday! I've already planned a yummy healthy low-cal dinner. (My mom makes whatever we want for dinner on our birthday. Yum!)

PSS- It definitely won't be this! ;)

Starting fresh

This morning I was able to get up and work w/ a client. It felt good to get back into the swing of things. I love working w/ other people because it is just motivating. I've gone walking (w/ neighbors) the last few days and again this morning. I'll probably do a run later today because it is just beautiful, overcast, and asking me to.

I'm hoping that the scale will be happy with me on Sunday. I've been drinking loads of water yesterday and today. (As noted by my hundreds of trips to the restroom.) I honestly think I've already drank OVER 50oz of water this morning alone.

I haven't been tracking my calories strictly, but I have been eating a lot of fresh and/or homemade food. Yummy... Gotta' keep pressing forward.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
A lack of exercise can cause fatigue, weakness, and lethargy. It all makes sense, but it's so hard to get out of a funk once you're there. Just get up and go for a walk. Don't worry about putting on work-out clothes or anything, just go. Just get up and do some jumping jacks. Right now! And then, go for a walk, do some lunges, and come back and feel much better about yourself. You'll also have just increased your energy expenditure which will mean you should have a bit more energy to expend tomorrow. Happy exercising!

Grrr.....

So. I've taken a big step backwards.

I now weigh 1**lbs! I have been wanting to get down to my goal weight and now I'm almost 18lbs from it! I want to do this though! This is for me! I can do it!

I suffer so much mentally, physically (obviously), and spiritually when I don't take care of myself. I really need to focus on eating better and being more active REGULARLY! I am definitely an active person, but I'm not consistent with it. I can do better though. This is a new start. My birthday is next week. I want to give myself the gift of health. I want to maintain it for many birthdays to come! I know I have to start now. This is for me! This is for my family (so I can better serve them). This is for my future. Here goes.

So... starting weight loss goal: 17.6lbs.
Next weigh-in: Sunday evening. Yes, evening...

PS-I made a TON of homemade & delicious granola today! Yeah... that's some heavy food... literally, it is just weighing me down! The end.