Week 3

4-week goal: lose 10 lbs and be able to do 10 real push-ups

complete by: April 25
Weight lost: 6.6 lbs
Consecutive push-ups: 2

What I have been doing this week:
Diet: Trying to be good?
Exercise:
   Strength:  I did push-ups and sit-ups a few times this week.  That was it.
   Cardio:  I finally got our jogging stroller cleaned off and it has been wonderful being able to jog!  I love it!  And I love being outside in the warm weather!

How I feel this week:
A little better.  I don't feel skinny, but I feel stronger.

What I want to change about my body:
1. My protruding waistline.
2. My fat arms.
3. My double chin.

What I like about my body:
1. My legs are getting some muscle definition to them.
2. I'm starting to feel like I have more energy.
3. My skin is getting darker from the increased sun exposure.  I actually got a compliment from a stranger for my "tan."

We went to the National Building Museum and they have a play place.  Look at my enormous arms!  Wow!

Weight: 277.4 lbs 

Waist: 49 in 

Hips: 58 in 

Thigh: 26.25 in 

Bicep: 15.25 in

Changes in the past week:
Weight: -4.4 lbs
Waist: +3"
Hips: -.75"
Thigh: +.75"
Bicep: +1"

Changes overall (since April 2, 2015):

Weight: -6.6 lbs

Waist: +2.25"

Hips: -1.25"

Thigh: 0"

Bicep: 0"

Week 2

4-week goal: lose 10 lbs and be able to do 10 real push-ups

complete by: April 25
Weight lost: 2.2 lbs
Consecutive push-ups: 2

What I have been doing this week:
Diet: Honestly, nothing really.  I haven't really been holding back.  I'm weak.
Exercise:
   Strength:  I didn't actually get around to it at all this week :(
   Cardio:  Monday I went to an outdoor museum that involved a 2-mile walk.  Tuesday I went shopping so I walked all day..  Wednesday I actually did go for a 2-hour walk with my baby. Thursday nothing - it rained.  Friday it stopped raining long enough for me to get in a 30-minute walk. Saturday we walked all around some more exhibits.

How I feel this week:
Fat.  I feel like I don't fit into anything.  I don't like my clothes but I can't really afford a whole new wardrobe.  Plus, I don't really want one, because I want to fit into the clothes I already have.

What I want to change about my body:
1. My protruding waistline.
2. My fat arms.
3. My double chin.

What I like about my body:
1. I'm getting more flexible.
2. I'm starting to feel like I have more energy.
3. My skin is getting darker from the increased sun exposure.

This was Saturday at the Civil War event we went to.  This outfit is not flattering at all.  What was I thinking?  It shows almost all of my imperfections.  Gross.

Weight: 281.8 lbs (2.2 lbs loss overall)

Waist: 49 in (.75 in less overall)

Hips: 58 in (.5 in less overall)

Thigh: 26.25 in (.75 in more - maybe we measured wrong)

Bicep: 15.25 in (1 in less overall)

Week 1

4-week goal: lose 10 lbs and be able to do 10 real push-ups
complete by: April 25
Weight lost: 1.2 lbs
Consecutive push-ups: 2

What I have been doing this week:
Diet: I've been trying to avoid sweets, and replace fatty foods for fruits and vegetables.  I'm still not very good at it and can be easily convinced to break my diet.
Exercise:
   Strength:  I used acefitness.com's "Fit for me" tool and did their beginner "Kickstart" workout 3 times this week.  It made me sore the first day.  I like their workouts.  I'm going to move on to Week 2 of their schedule next week and hopefully bump up the intensity.
   Cardio:  I took my baby on a walk almost daily (Mon, Wed-Fri) for 30 min - 1 hour each day.  Saturday my husband was home, so I went on a 45 min jog in the hills behind our house.  It felt good, even though I was exhausted afterward.  Also, I need bigger running clothes.  And new running shoes that don't have holes in them...

How I feel this week:
Exhausted.  My muscles are worn out.  Some days, I didn't want to go walking because my legs were tired even before I left.  Here in Rockbridge County, we don't have flat terrain.  It's all hills.  I'm sure it will get easier, but right now I just want to call it a day at about 8 pm.

What I want to change about my body:
1. My protruding waistline.
2. My fat arms.
3. My back doesn't seem to have a curve on it.

What I like about my body:
1. My calves have good shape to them.
2. My neck is getting stronger and with more definition.
3. My skin is getting darker from the increased sun exposure.

Wow I'm big.

I forget how large I am.

Weight: 283.5 lbs

Waist: 49.75 in

Hips: 58.5 in

Thigh: 25.5 in

Bicep: 16.25 in

My New Weight Loss Plan

I have always struggled with my weight.  As in, my whole life.  I have had times in my life where I have lost lots of weight all at once, and then I typically gain it back (and then some) within a year.  Currently, I am at my very biggest that I have ever been - 285 lbs.  I hate it.  I can't fit into anything, I rarely feel pretty, and I never take pictures of myself because I don't want it recorded how I look right now.
The other day I was at a health meeting at church and the speaker (an athletic trainer named Patti) helped me realize something I'm doing wrong.  You see, I have been daunted by the task that, ideally I would like to lose 100 lbs.  That's a lot of weight when the recommendation is to lose 2-3 lbs a week.  Patti introduced the 4-week goal plan.  She said we should stop setting goals that span the whole year, or even the whole summer.  It takes 21 days to form a habit, so let's base our goals off of that.  Let's make 4-week goals.  Then, at the end of the 4 weeks, reevaluate and set a new goal based on your progress.  So that's what I'm doing - setting a year-full of 4-week goals.
Each week I will track my progress here.  I will keep track of what exercises I did, and how they made me feel.  I will also keep track of my weight and measurements.  I also will write down things that I like about myself - to keep a positive outlook.