Progress pictures...10 months in!!!

November 15, 2009
July 2, 2010

To see how far I've come I'm letting everyone see exactly where I started (sigh). I had already lost about twenty pounds between August and November 2009 before I seriously started working out. I'm sure you can imagine what that additional twenty pounds looked like lol. I've also dropped another ten pounds since the July picture.

Once I reach my goal I'll post my final stats and results. I stay encouraged and motivated by the folks telling me that I am inspiring them to make changes. The more weight I lose the more I feel like it's okay to put myself out there. I'm not trying to get "super model small" I'd just like to get to the most comfortable place in my own skin.

August 1st 2010

These are pictures I took of myself while I was in Houston for my cousin Mia's wedding. When I tried this dress on I fell in love with it! I think these pictures reflect how I'm feeling on the inside and out at this present moment :-)

Facing 110 pounds

Now that I've been working at my weight loss for almost a year I can openly talk about my goal to drop 110 pounds from my body. 110 pounds was a large number to think about but I couldn't even begin this journey without being truthful with myself about where I wanted to be. When I told my friends and family how much weight I was planning to lose, most of them told me that I was crazy! They said 110 pounds lighter would make me look "funny." I didn't stop to think about what everyone else thought. I knew at 5'5 my body should only be holding so much.

I didn't think about being the size I was when I graduated from high school (140), I thought about where I felt most comfortable in my adult life. I thought about the time in my life when I had the most energy and zest. I thought about when I had been the most happy. The more time I spent thinking about it, the number became apparent to me...165.

This number isn't etched in stone and who knows where I'll eventually land and maintain? Coming up with a guideline and goal was necessary for my success. You cannot start if you have no idea where you would like to go and eventually end up. I'm thankful now for that huge number I had to face to get me on my way.

I'm on FIYA!!!

I'm 1 day away from completing my second week of the Turbo Fire HIIT workouts. I can honestly say that this workout is a match made in heaven for me. I have to do workouts that constantly keep me interested and challenged. These workouts are so much fun! If you are giving it your all you are burning calories in massive amounts if you've got a lot to lose. My body is responding nicely. I am adding more intensity as I learn the routines.

These next few weeks should be a breeze. When I do the cardio sets the second month I expect my weight to drop like crazy. I'm not so much focused on when I'll reach my goal but just getting there. I'm going to get there with these workouts no doubt!

Turbo Fire day two!

I normally wake up at the crack of dawn to get my workout done but today when I got out of bed my back was hurting. This highly agitated me because I was looking forward to doing my HIIT 15 routine. Instead of working out this morning I popped four Aleve and let my back rest. I applied a heat pack in the afternoon, all in hopes that my back would feel good enough to do the workout in the evening.

With great hesitation and my Aspercreme slathered on I gave it a shot! From the first fire drill...I was hooked! The rush for me comes from the high intensity with brief recovery. I like getting my heart rate up and the sweat that soon follows. It might sound crazy but I finally LOVE working out. It took me eight months to get here but I have arrived!