UGH!! Working full time, 4 boys with insane schedules and frankly, hating exercise….and this is the result. Something’s gotta give.

I’m so frustrated with myself. I worked so hard last year, lost 40 pounds, and as of this morning, 21 of them are back.

I’m going to be tracking points with the ultimate point value app, which was the biggest reason I was so successful last time.  I’ll weigh daily, but will only “count” a once-weekly weight (on Wed),  as well as weekly measurements (on Wed, also).

I’m at 156 right now; ultimate goal is to get back to 135, though I’d be happy at 140. Mini goals are to consistently exercise at least 3x/wk, no eating after 8pm, and avoid processed sugar (bye-bye, Hershey’s chocolate!!!) I will work on those until Sept 1, and then figure a few new mini-goals. I’d like to be down to 150 by Sept 1, which should enable me to get those scrubs on! (I know that 6 pounds in 25 days is ambitious, but I’m certain that at least 2-3 poubloat from salty junk that I shoveled down last week) Goal for 145 is Oct. 1, and Goal for 140 is Nov 1.

I’ve been logging steady progress on the elliptical (bonus: no soreness since it’s quite gentle on joints!) and today it was warm enough outside for me to hit the pavement. The dog and I did a 3.25 run/walk. I’m eager for the day when I can say that we ran the whole thing!

I know, I know! I’ve been making progress (glacially slow progress, a few seconds improvement each week) but progress, nonetheless. I’m certainly not giving up – something feels different this time.  I’m actually starting to….enjoy workout out?  I dunno.  I felt really good this morning driving AJ to school after the gym, and I’ve definitely noticed I have more energy all day long. I’ve been praying about it consistently since Thanksgiving, and I really believe that the Holy Spirit is working on me in this area.  I read something the other day that’s sticking in my mind: “If I need nourishment, I can choose a healthy option. If I’m just feeling empty, I must realize that food may fill my stomach but never my soul”  I’m finding myself turning to God a lot more often when I’m feeling “empty” and that’s really been huge in terms of staying away from “bad” food.

I usually track measurements once a month, and I just did them last week.  But, I’ve lost 2 pounds since, and I was curious to see what (if any) effect that had on inches.  I’m shocked!! These are my current measurements, and the change from last time.

• Neck: 12.75 (-.5)
• bicep: 12.5 (-.75)
• breast 38.5 (no change, though I can’t say I’m unhappy about that one!)
• chest: 33.5 (-.5)
• waist: 31.75 (-.25)
• belly (at belly button): 35.75 (-2.5!!)
• hips: 41.25 (-.75)
• thigh: 26.75 (-.75)
• calf: 14.75 (-.25)

Overall, that’s a loss of 6.25″ for 2 pounds of weight lost. I’ve been strength training as well, so I’m sure some of the changes are from muscle toning.  In any case, it’s certainly motivation to keep going!!  Total loss since Thanksgiving Day is now at 20 pounds (9 weeks, average of 2.2 lost per week, though it was more like 3 pounds the first few weeks, and less now)

It’s kind of embarrassing how easy it is for me to shed pounds when I’m not eating everything in sight. I’m frustrated with myself for wasting so much time just not caring. The formula is so simple (and yet, oh so difficult!):

eat well + move more = get healthy

Most shocking to you right now might be the fact that you actually *enjoy* working out in 2013. With 40 pounds less on your frame, running has become a whole lot easier! And you’ve finally gotten to experience first-hand that “runner’s high” that Christian is always talking about. (and yes, it really is as good as he says it is!)

The highlight of 2012 was definitely running the Media 5 Miler with Christian and Gregory! (and you managed to keep up with both of them) The summer was fantastic, and everyone at the pool was jealous of you rockin’ that swimsuit!

Love ya, 2013 Theresa

Yes, I’m talking to you, 2010 Theresa. You’ve got no idea the fabulous things in store for you this year! I don’t want to ruin all the surprises, so I’ll just hit the highlights. You rocked it this year, girl.

Not only did you finish that 5K with Ethan in the spring, but you did a 10K in the fall. This was the year you became A Runner. (and you actually enjoyed it!) You’re a strong, lean, mean, kick-arse chic now. You met the weight goal you setback in January, and rewarded us with a new wardrobe three sizes smaller!

Besides all the fabulous healthy body stuff, you accomplished some serious mental awesomeness, as well. You finished both spring and fall semesters with 4.0’s and Dean’s List honors. You finished the clinical hours for your boards, and even though you stressed a TON about it, you easily passed the IBCLC exam in July. You’re officially a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant now! You got accepted to nursing school just before Christmas, and will be starting at Jeff this fall. You even made it into the neonatal specialty you wanted!

All-in-all, 2011 was a really great year, so promise that you’ll try to enjoy it and not get wrapped up in the daily grind – it all works out in the end, I promise!

Love, 2011 Theresa

Start weight: 167

today’s weight: 161

Change: -6

Goal: 6 more to hit first goal of 155 by 2/1/11

12/26/10

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 1:00 run/1:30 walk (runs @ 3.8 mph, walk at 3.1 mph), 5 min cooldown
• 20 min recumbent bike

12/27/10

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 1:00 run/1:30 walk (runs @ 3.8 mph, walk at 3.1 mph), 5 min cooldown
• 15 minute elliptical

12/29/10

• 35 min treadmill; 5 min warmup, alternating 1:30 run/1:30 walk (runs @ 4mph, walk at 3.3 mph), 5 min cooldown
• strength training: arms (biceps, triceps, shoulder press, chest fly)

12/31/10

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 2 min run/2 min walk (run @ 4mph, walk at 3.3 mph), 5 min cooldown
• 20 min elliptical

1/2/11

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 2 min run/2 min walk (run @ 4mph, walk at 3.3 mph), 5 min cooldown
• 20 min elliptical

1/4/11

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 2 min run/2 min walk (run @ 4mph, walk at 3.3 mph), 5 min cooldown
• strength training: chest and shoulders

1/6/11

• 35 min treadmill: 5 min warmup, alternating 2 min run/2 min walk (run @ 4mph, walk at 3.3 mph), 5 min cooldown
• 10 min climber

I’m joining the Power of 1 challenge at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans, and I am not going to start another new year feeling like the chubby, heavy, sluggish beast that I feel like right now.  Enough.

Vital Statistics

• weight: 167 pounds
• neck: 13.5″
• arms: 13.25″
• bust: 39.5″
• waist: 33″
• belly (at belly button): 39″
• hips: 45.5″
• thighs: 27.5″
• calves: 15″

Short Term Goal: 155 by Feb 1st

Long Term Goals: 140 by July 1, 5K Race by Feb 1st, 10K by April 1st

Pie in the Sky Goal: Broad Street 10 mile Run in May!

Ultimate Goal: to never, ever look this tired, haggard and bloated ever again!

How am I going to do it?  Here’s the Plan:

Exercise

• exercising first thing in the morning, a la “eating the frog” (doing your most dreaded to-do item first, because then it’s out of the way and nothing else will be as bad for the rest of the day, LOL!)
• integrating more physical activity into my everyday (ie: walking kids to school, walking to grocery, etc)
• wearing pedometer every day and shooting for 10,000 steps

Diet

• eating sensibly, with a focus on whole, unprocessed foods and without drastic extremes
• limiting calories to what my body actually needs (instead of what my cravings say I should eat!)
• no eating after 8 pm
• hydrating properly by drinking enough water
• limiting alcohol to one glass of wine with dinner several times a week (do you know how many empty calories are in alcoholic beverages?!)