Weight Update #10

 

WOW almost 3 months passed since last weight update!! 

But here I am, one pound lighter nonetheless. (And I wonderful blue pedi eheheh)

 In this time frame my weight dropped below 142 lb too, but needless to say, it was when I was sick with strep throat :( 

And now, my measurements since January (gasp!) 

Chest: 38" (the same) 

Waist: 34" (2 inches up....what???)

 Hips: 42" (1 inch up GRRRR) 

 Thigh: 22.5" (half inch less) 

 Arm: 11" (1 inch down) 

It funny because I actually think my clothes fill snug around the waist, who knows.

As for excercising, yeah, it's just not happening. 

I mean, I do stay on my feet a lot at work, about 5 hours out of the 6 hours per day every day during the week and I do intense cleaning work every Saturday. 

But it goes to show that if you don't target the specific areas, even if you're loosing weight, it's doesn't mean that your muscles are toning up. 

Likewise, when you're toning up and looking better, sometimes you don't see the weight loss you expect. 

Keeping this up! 

I really hope to be under 140 lb soon! 

 

Weight update #9

Voila'! Lost 2 pounds since last weight update. 

I can't say that I'm proud of it as the reason I've lost way is that I was sick for over 2 weeks and eating wasn't exactly a priority. 

Not a good way to loose weight at all. I so not recommend it. 

 

That said, now that I'm better, I have few tricks up my sleeves that I'd like to try. 

First, I'd like to share this videos to works abs without crunches. I hate crunches and if you are like me, you do too. But this seems doable....hmmm! I will tell you more after I'm done! 

And I was also looking for weight loss drinks and I came across this one:

The thing about this drink is that it's a diuretic so I need to find a week in which I don't have to leave the house because public restrooms are just NASTY!! 

Any tricks you wish to share with me?

Weight update #8

I haven't done a weight update in a while, since after Thanksgiving to be exact, so it's about time. 

So it' seems that I've gained about 1 pound during the Christmas holidays, which honestly I'm not worried about, it's a nothing in my radar! 

It's almost time to take my measurement, since I haven't checked those since October, so here they are: 

Chest: 38" (1 inch up) 

Waist: 32" (the same) 

Hips: 41" (the same) 

Thigh: 23" (the same) 

Arm: 12" (1 inch up.....could it be muscles from weight lifting????) 

As for right now I'm alternating between 4 lb and 10 lb dumb bells to build muscles and resistance. 

I haven't been really good at my walking honestly, I didn't want to be one of those New Year resolutions when I start off super good the first week and then forget about it. I'd rather slowly work it again in my routine once we're settle down from the holiday break. 

I did reward myself with a couple of new things tho. The first one, is a nice slimmer belt to use during exercising. 

It says that it help burn 65 calories in 15 minutes....I'm thinking to start using it while at work, while I walk for 3 hours straight...I think it can really help and see some inches off my waist! 

The only complaint tho is a strong smell of plastic one I opened the box, it's been sitting outside for few days and it still smells....any ideas?? 

And My friend Jodi just gifted me a nice pair of capri athletic pants.....can't wait to try them on to exercise!!

Merry Christmas to me Part 2

This time it's not something I got in the mail, but I bought it from a friend and neighbor for real cheap and I wanted one for so long: my very first treadmill. 

YEAH baby!!! I'm so thrilled I got it as days are getting really shorter and it's not always easy to fit my wort out during the day. Now, I can do it whenever I want, it doesn't matter if it's rains, it's 80F or below 20F, I will be able to get my daily miles done no matter what. 

For now is sitting in the garage, which is fine with me. I sometimes sneak out there after putting the kids in bed and have at it! 

How cool is that??? A drink holder so I can have all I need handy. 

I'm pretty confident I will be able to manage my weight easily now. I've been using it almost every night since I got it and I must admit that I find a little bit more difficult running on a treadmill rather than the road, but I figure that if I keep at it, it will get easier once I get used to it.

Weight update #6

I thought was about time for another weight update, this time with measurement and all, since it's been a while since I measured myself (August to be exact!) 

 So, here my measurements for this month: 

Chest: 37" 

Waist: 32" 

Hips: 41" 

Thigh: 23" 

Arm: 11" 

It seems that since last time I shaved 1 inch off my chest (seriously, can they get any smaller?????), 2 inches off my waist and hips (which feels awesome!), 1 inch off my arms (I've been slacking on my weights) and no changes on my thighs (GRRRRRR). 

All considering, not bad at all. 

Even my weight, is only half of a pound up. 

Considering that weight fluctuates 2 pounds up or down, I'm not too upset about it. 

I'm now able to run 0.5 mile with jogging speed without stopping, after 1 mile of power walking to warm up, not bad!

First week and weight update #4

WOW! First week back to school and for my new job it's already gone! Passed in a jiff! And I'm happy to say that things are going pretty well! But here let me show you!! Here is how I left Gabriel the first day at school, already busy at work! 

And here is Michelle, posing for me during her favorite activity: drawing and coloring. 

Even tho my feet would disagree, job is going great! I'm sure I will get used to it eventually. And for my weight update......wait for it, wait for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

2.5 lb down since last update, I'm pretty stocked! Share you good news with me!

Weight update #3

I'm not happy today, AT ALL!!!! 

 

I'm REALLY REALLY upset right now. 

I finally finished my steroids treatments and the damn pills made me hungry all the time. 

The result is that I gained all the wight I lost and then some 

GRRRRRR 

Those 4-5 lb felt really nice off of me, now I feel like a balloon ready to explode again :( 

I'm trying not to get discouraged and just forget the whole thing, but I really don't feel good with this weight on me, I have to work harder. 

 Since it's been a month that I measured myself, today is the day for that too. 

Really don't want to but here I go: 

Chest: 38" 

Waist: 34" 

Hips: 43" 

Thigh: 23" 

Arm: 12" 

Gained 1" in my waist and lost 1" in my thighs from last time I guess not too bad after all.

But I did exercise my arms with dumbbells every day and the no change there is really pissing me off...

Now off to convince my brain that I don't need to eat to get over the fact that I'm upset I go.

Weight update #1

I know some of you were waiting for, so here you go. 

I lost 1.5 lb BUT I think most of it has to do with the fact that I was sick with a stomach bug and unable to eat for 2 days straight. That's not the way I intend to loose weight! Still, any loss is good, now I have to be strong and don't fall into the trap or rewarding myself with food so to regain it and some. 

Speaking of food, I thought I'd share some recipes that I found on Pinterest that I tried and love. I hope you will too.

   

Baked Parmesan tomatoes

   

Baked veggies 

 

Baked zucchini

 

I love several things about these recipes: 

• They are simple and quick to make
• The ingredient don't usually cost and arm and a leg 
• They required baking which it means that I can throw them in the oven and do what I need to get done in the mean while 
• I can cook them in big batches which means that when I have that craving and urge for a greasy snack, I will have them handy 
• They are tasty 
• They don't contain too many calories

Excercises for the thighs

I know it's time for a weight update, but truth to be told, I don't wanna stress myself checking my weight every week and such like a chore, but I promise to keep an eye on it and to share. 

Another area of my body that it's really bothering me is my thighs.....the fat and cellulite on it it's a massive quantity and I think it's also of my pear-shaped body type. I say this, because even when I was thinner, my legs are always been HUGE and I'm always been very self-conscious about them. After kids, even more so. 

 So, from all this, off I went in my quest for the best exercises for this part of my body when I stumbled upon this

  

I'm embarrassed to say that I've never hear of a inner thigh gap before and after a little bit of digging for info I realized with great mortification that it's because I NEVER had one. I should have known! My legs weren't only huge and fat, but they were different from all the other women's out there! Seriously, I wasn't never able to enjoy a skirt or a nice pair of shorts because the skin between my thighs would create friction and HURT.LIKE.HELL! 

 I know, I know. TMI. But if you're out there and have been plagued with my same problem, trust me my dear, you're not alone! 

Let's conquer that inner thighs gap together, shall we?? 

I know I have a looooooooooooong way to go, so only one set of exercises won't do it. So yesterday I entertained my thighs with the circuit above plus these: 

  

And these 

 

 and these

  

And when I was all done I tried this  

 Of course I couldn't finish it all and now I cry every time I have to go to the bathroom. 

But you get my point....I will conquer my inner thighs gap!!!! I WILL!!!!!!!!!

The nitty gritty

A couple of days ago I posted about my weight and my resolution in shredding some extra pounds and I was very pleased with the response I got from my post. 

Among the encouragements and the pats on my shoulders, I also got some very good ideas and few questions. 

My friend Krystal intelligently pointed out to take measurements of my body rather than focus only on my weight and I think that is a very smart idea. 

Last time I took measurements was a year and a half ago, so I guess it was about time!

So here you go, brace yourself! 

Bust: 38" 

Waist: 33" 

Hips: 43" 

Thigh: 24" 

Arm: 12" 

I basically gained 2 full inches in my middle section from last time and it was enough to bump me a size up! 

Grrrrrr. 

Also, I got requests about what kind of exercise I do or plan to do, so I thought I'd share some here. 

What I do every day is walking 10,000 step. I usually takes me about 45-60 minutes to do about 3 miles but I'm hoping to work my way up to 5 miles. For now I had to put a pin on running as I need very good running shoes that I can't afford and my shin splints are very painful. So, walking, power walking, is the best next thing. Now, the weather her it's been crazy raining and I do have 2 children to take care of, so I really have to cut my time out for it when hubby is home and it's not raining buckets. For the last week, I wasn't able to do it every day. Those are the times I wish I had a tread mill or an elliptical machine, so I can still get my cardio in, but it is what it is. 

 I also realized that even when I was fit and thin, I always had very weak arms, so weak that I was never good at doing push ups. I think in my best form, I was able to do 5 push ups. Pretty pathetic. Since I've been so lazy for so long, now it's even more pathetic. But I started working my arms with weights (that's why I took my arm measurement too) and little bit at the time I introduced my self to this routine. 

My idea here is not to get bulky, so I use 4 lb dumb bells. I'm able know to follow all the exercises except for the final push ups and I must confess that the leaning triceps extension make me cry all the time. But I bet if I do this routine once a week I will get there! 

 Also, there is this move that I do EVERY.SINGLE.DAY as soon as I wake up! It only take 30 seconds, it stretch my entire body and takes care of the "belly pouch". I've been seeing a big difference in my posture!

 

I also tried to join an abs challenge that consisted in 300 abs in 30 days.....I wasn't able to do even half of it that I felt too much pain, not to my abs as I was expecting, but to my back. Definitely not for me!! 

I'm not trying to say that the exercises where some how faulty, I'm just trying to make a point that there are a lot of routine and work outs out there but there is no-size-fits-all. The right exercises for you depend a lot on your shape and what you body can stand and I realize that for my abs I need to start from the very basic before getting in some fancy routine. Baby steps..... 

Next time, I will have more exercises to other body parts, those above are so far the things that I do and I've tried successfully!