Slowly but Surely, Baby Steps!!!!!

I am getting there...slowly but surely. I have not been to the gym in awhile. My back has been bothering me on and off, and I just haven't been very motivated to get there. I still try to get in a walk everyday if possible, and I am making sure I make smart food choices, and stay within my daily calorie goal.

I can't believe I am only 12 pounds until I am in the "healthy range" for BMI. I never thought I would be this close. I am hoping to be in the healthy range by our vacation, last week in August. But I will not beat myself up if I dont get there.

My doctor is going to be so proud of me. When I seen her last year I was at 199, she said with my large bone structure and height I would only need to lose about another 10 pounds, and that would be healthy for me, and would make her happy. Well I have exceeded her goal. I would like to be between 174 and 177 when I see her (sometime in August). I want the scale to be under 180 (with clothes on of course).

Now for pictures.

I started my journey at 250 lbs (July 2010) As of today June 2012, I am 181. I have lost 69 pounds and had a baby in 2 years. Not too bad at all if I do say so myself :)

Some new before and afters

I still have a long way to go, but when I got dressed this morning I felt pretty good. I went from wearing XXL shirts to Med. Pants from 22W to now 14-16. I am still not where I need to be, and still not where I thought I would be at this time, but I am making progress. I have found I need to take baby steps. When I started at the gym for the first time, I went hard core, then when I didn't go for a day, it turned into a few months of not going. I gained 10 pounds during the holidays and felt horrible. But I have lost it and then some. I keep thinking if only I didn't gain the ten, I would be even less than I was. I can't look back, I can only learn from it. I am taking baby step, and not beating myself up over every little thing. I know I will succeed in this. It's just going to take some time.

Looking back at my old photo's I am shocked at what I see. Back then, I was happy with myself, and even though I was overweight, I still loved myself, and thought I still looked pretty good. But seeing myself now, I think I look damn good, and can't believe that was me and that I was like that for so long.

Here is me during my last pregnancy in 2010. It hard to believe the difference. This second pregnancy changed my life. Not only did I make a beautiful daughter, it really jump started my weight loss progress, thanks the the strict diet I was on due to gestational diabetes.

After being cleared to work out, I joined a gym, and pretty much stayed on the diet they had me on.

Here is me today at 194 pounds. I am so proud of my progress so far.

I will continue to move forward, and try different things until I find what is best for me. Food is still my enemy. I love food, and it's hard for me to give up the things I love. But if I work on watching what I eat, and making small changes I will succeed.

Baby steps, Baby steps!!!!

I have lost track and do not see a way back

I have fell off track and don't know how to get back. I am struggling hard core. And I am starting to feel it. I was at my lowest 196 before I went on my mini vacation in July, ate like crap and gained 4 pounds. I lost those 4 pounds only to again gain 3. I am at 199 right now. After I eat (which isn't good) I get the worst heart burn I have ever had. My stomach is in knots, and crampy, and I just feel awful. You would think that would be awake up call to stop being stupid and get back to where I was. Why is it so hard?? I feel like I am failing not only myself but my family. I want to be healthy for them.

I am afraid to start my vacation this weekend. When I am not at work my eating habits SUCK!!!! Saturday I will be going to the Kenny Chesney concert, and then we leave for Tawas City on Sunday. My plan is: starting Monday to walk everyday to get the newspaper (a mile each way). Also I want go to the "stairs" monument and walk the stairs.(Over 200 stairs~You start by going down all of them (easy) and then you have to climb up (the hard part)) I also plan on making better eating choices while on this vacation.

I am hoping this will jump start me to get my butt back to the gym when I return on August 29th.

My Goals

Goal #1 ~ Weight 199 ~ I will buy a new bathing suit ~ Met 06/19/11

Goal #2 ~ Weight 189 ~ I will buy a few new outfits and accessories to match

Goal #3 ~ Weight 173 ~ I will take my family on a mini vacation

I will be happy to stay anywhere 173 and under. So the goals below are goals I would like to achieve, but If it takes awhile, I am okay with that.

Goal #4 ~ Weight 160 ~ I will have hubby buy new a new wedding band (my rings are falling off me now, but I can wait)

Goal #5 ~ Weight between 140-150 ~ All new wardrobe and a big vacation with the family

Updated Measurements

Here are my new measurement stats.

Original measurements taken on 04/28/11:

Arm: 14.25

Leg: 24.50

Hips: 47.50

Waist: 41.00

Bust: 46.50

New measurements taken on 06/07/11:

Arm: 12.5

Leg: 22.50

Hips: 44.50

Waist: 38.

Bust: 43.25

Overall loss since joining MFP on 04/28/11:

Arm: -1.75

Leg: -2.00

Hips: -3.00

Waist: -3.00

Bust: -3.25

Total overall loss: 13 inches

Some before and some now

It's hard to compare myself from then to now because I was pregnant. I wish I would have taken pics of me in a bikini so I could really tell the difference, but I didn't think I was ever going to lose weight. But my pregnancy really started my weight loss. Thanks to having GD and being put on a strict diet. Here are some of my pics before and now.

Here are a few of me when I was pregnant with #2 in 2010.

Here I am a week after haivng my daughter. Weight was about 220

And here I am at 210:

As of today I am 205. I can't wait to see more progress.

Slowly But Surely

Well my weight has been up and down some the past week. I really think it's due to some water retention. My body is still trying to recover from my pregnancy. I am hoping it will work itself out so I start seeing it on the scale.

I am seeing it in my measurements though, and I am really proud of that. Below are my measurements as of 05/10/11:

Original measurements taken on 04/28/11:

Arm: 14.25

Leg: 24.50

Hips: 47.50

Waist: 41.00

Bust: 46.50

New measurements taken on 05/10/11:

Arm: 13.50

Leg: 23.50

Hips: 47.50

Waist: 40.50

Bust: 44.50

I'm no longer Obese

I can't believe it. My BMI is finally under 30. I am no longer Obese. (Ugh~I hate that word) I never thought I would be happy to be just overweight. This a great milestone for me.

Your BMI is: 29.6

Target weight range: 128.9 - 174.3 lbs


I cannot wait to lose even more weight. With the help of this site and all my support from friends and family I know I will get to a healthy weight. I am going to make some goals. I am hoping to hit each and everyone of them. And here they are:

BY: 06/01 Weight 198: I want to be in One-der land by my son's 3rd Birthday.

BY: 07/04 Weight 189: I want to be in the 180's by the time we go on our mini vacation

BY: 08/20 Weight 173: I want to be in the healthy range by the time we go to the Kenny Chesney Concert

BY: 11/24 Weight 160: I would like to be at what I consider my ideal weight by Thanksgiving

BY: 02/23/12 Weight 140: This will be a year since my daughter (our second) child was born. I would like to see how close to 140 I can get.

Stuck!!!!

I am stuck at 207. What is going on??? I am working out and staying under my daily calories, but the scale is not budging. I am starting to feel a little down about it.

I know I need to keep pushing through, but I have this fear its going to be all for nothing. Please say this will work, and the weight will go down.

My first post~My journey has begun

For as long as I can remember I have been overweight. But I never considered myself fat. (I still don't) I just accepted the fact that I would never be thin. I love who I am, and I think I still look pretty damn good.

Then last year before I found out I was pregnant with #2 our insurance company (BCN) has decided in order for you to get the best coverage, you need to be a certain weight. This blew my mind, that a company can do something like this. I mean I know I need to lose weight, but having someone tell you its a MUST for the best coverage is nonsense. This actually made me depressed. Great more stress to add onto my life. So when I went into have my physical done, I brought my little form that has to be filled out, and of course I need to lose weight. (Duh, like I didn't know this before) So now you have to go to the doctor every 6 months (more copays) until you hit below 30 BMI. Then I find out a week later that I am pregnant. YAY!!! (I was actually pregnant then just had no clue) I was also excited to know I don't have to worry about the weight issue until after I have my baby. Well not true, I still had to go in at the 6 month mark to be weighed for the insurance. (yet another co-pay) Even though they knew I was pregnant, my PCP had to check the pregnant box and submit the paperwork. Isn't that just insane?????

During my pregnancy I was diagnosed with GD, and was put on a strict diet. (Did not have this with my first) Next to having a healthy little girl February 23rd, that diet was the best thing to happen. It jump started my new phase of life. After losing 39 pounds (246~pre-pregnancy weight...now 207) it has given me this motivation to keep on losing. I went back to work last week after my maternity leave and started a gym membership with a girlfriend I work with (Hi Elke) We have also found this wonderful website/phone app. With all of this and motivation from some new MFP friends, I know I can do this. Hey, I might end up being skinny after all. Wish me luck.

PS: BCN's new requirement is now you MUST take a weight watchers program, or this other program to get the best coverage. I'm sorry I do not have the money to be spending on programs, I don't want to take. But according to this website my BMI should be just below 30. Which is great. Take that BCN!!!!!!

Hello All

I can't believe I haven't posted a journal entry since Jordan has been born. Things are going very well. Jordan is such a good baby. She only cries when she is hungry or has a full diaper. She gets up and eats every 3 hours, and is growing like a weed.

Nathan is doing very well too. His vocabulary has really taken off. For the most part we know what he is saying, and he knows how to talk in complete sentences. He is very vocal. He loves his sissy so much. Always wanting to help, hold her and play with her.

I went back to work yesterday and that was the hardest day ever. I just did not want to leave them. Work went pretty fast, and I did start at the gym. I am looking forward to losing even more weight. I have lost 40 pounds so far from my pre-pregnancy weight. That diet they had me on for the GD, really helped. I am sticking with that as well.

The time I was off, went by so fast. It seemed like I was only off for a couple of weeks. I really wish we were able to live off of one income but that is just not possible. I just hope all my time away flies by, so I can be with my family.

We hope everyone is doing well. Love you all!!!!

Another appointment and ultrasound

Today was another busy day for the Wood family. While Nathan was at his grandma & PaPa's house, Kevin and I had a few errands to run.

First stop, we got our new car. I just love it. It is a 2010 Ford Escape XLT, and its loaded pretty well. It drives so smoothly. I am glad we decided to buy this one.

Second stop Doctors office. First my appointment was with Dr. Al-Jerdi. He is very pleased with our progress. My BP was 132/86 and so far I have lost a total of 10 pounds. Pumpkins Heartbeat was nice and strong at 156. He told me to keep up the good work, and he will see me again in a month. After he left, I had a flu shot, and some blood taken.

Final stop UltraSound (In the same office) We were so excited to see pumpkin, and even more excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. Well Pumpkin had other plans. The tech said pumpkin is in the WORST stop he/she could be in. Right behind my belly button. The only thing we were able to see was the top of the head, heartbeat, and a foot. Needless to say the gender is still a mystery. We were both really bummed, and have to come back in 3 weeks (Oct 13th) She said by then we can for sure tell, and can possibly get some good 3D shots. We can't wait.

First Set of Numbers

Hospital called this morning to get my numbers from the 19th till today. I’m sure they are pleased with them, since they have not gone above what is allowed. I have been sticking to this diet to a T. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. And I have even lost 6 pounds since the 19th. Below are my readings so far:

08/19 85 89 95
08/20 81 88 107 84
08/21 82 107 93 104
08/22 76 89 96 87
08/23 76 84 107 112
08/24 73

Dietitian appt. today

Seen the Dietitian today. She made me poke myself. My number was 85. I really don’t want to do this everyday 4 times a day. I just keep telling myself its all for pumpkin. I have to keep my numbers below 100 mg/dl for the fasting testing, and below 120 mg/dl after meals. Below is my strict diet:

For breakfast: 30 grams of carbs, 1oz of meat/protein, 1 fat group (like 20 peanuts or 6 cashews.)
For am snack: 30 grams of carbs, & 1oz of meat/protein.
For lunch: 45 grams of carbs, 3oz meat/protein & 2 fat group & free veggies.
For pm snack: 30 grams of carbs, & 1oz meat/protein.
For Dinner: 45 grams of carbs, free veggies, 5ozs of meat/protein, & 2 fat group.
For the nighttime snack: 30 grams of carbs, & 2 ozs of meat/protein