My goals:

-Journal my meals

-Be under 165g of Carbohydrates/day (with fiber adjustment)

-Exercise 5 times a week for 45-60 minutes

-10 glasses of water a day

-Run/walk a 5K in under 40 minutes GOAL MET!

-Build a support network

-lose an average of 2 lbs/week, 24lbs total

Beginning Weight: 201.3

Week 1: 198.6 (-2.7)

Week 2: 198.6 (0) No change

Week 3: 196.9 (-1.7) Total loss 4.4 lbs

Week 4: 193.9 (-3) Total loss 7.4

Week 5: 193.2 (-.5) Total loss 8.1   

Week 6: 193.3 (+.1) Total loss 8.0   

Week 7: 190.3 (-3) Total loss 11.0

Week 8: 191.7 (+1.4) Total loss 9.6

(18.3 loss since I began my journey in January)

This week was an off week for me.  I didn’t track my food most days and I spent half of the week with my husband in the hospital.  He is home now and recovering well.  Thanks for the prayers.

Over the weekend I took the kids to the mountains to a family reunion so the hubster could have a quiet house to rest.  So not the most ideal week for weight loss. 

Food:

To view my food diary, visit myfitnesspal.com. 

Profile name: ambreee

Exercise:

I had to get creative with my workouts.  I only made it to the gym twice, but I got in several walks and hikes so I did meet my goal still.  Yeah!! Something good this week!

Water Intake:

This was my worst week yet for water intake.  I had a terrible time getting enough water.  My mind was else where.  This week will be much, much better!

Measurements:

I am bloated and I have gained back some in my mid section ½ inch- 1 inch on my ribs, waist and belly.  Hopefully back to my losing streak next week.  But I have lost ¼ inch off my neck.

Weight	201.3	191.7	9.6
Neck	13.5	13.25	.25
Chest	43.5	42.5	1
Ribs	39	37	2
Waist	41	40.5	.5
Belly	46	45	1
Hips	45.5	44.5	1
Calf	16	15.5	.5
Arm	15	14.5	.5
	6/6/11 Start Measurements	8/1/11 Current	difference

Here is to week 9!!  I am working towards a better week!!!

Week 7: Slimmer This Summer

My goals:

-Journal my meals

-Be under 165g of Carbohydrates/day (with fiber adjustment)

-Exercise 5 times a week for 45-60 minutes

-10 glasses of water a day

-Run/walk a 5K in under 40 minutes GOAL MET!

-Build a support network

-lose an average of 2 lbs/week, 24lbs total

Beginning Weight: 201.3

Week 1: 198.6 (-2.7)

Week 2: 198.6 (0) No change

Week 3: 196.9 (-1.7) Total loss 4.4 lbs

Week 4: 193.9 (-3) Total loss 7.4

Week 5: 193.2 (-.5) Total loss 8.1   

Week 6: 193.3 (+.1) Total loss 8.0   

Week 7: 190.3 (-3) Total loss 11.0

(19.7 loss since I began my journey in January)

Before I go on any further I need to add a personal update.  Yesterday my husband got very sick with vertigo (first time he has ever had it).  He was throwing up so violently that his whole body lurched all over.  He took his first ambulance ride, which led to an ER visit, which then led him to being admitted in the hospital.  We are hoping it is an inner ear problem that will clear its self up over a few days, not greater issues.

So the short is, things are a bit thrown off right now.  I was not able to weigh myself, or measure.  I posted the last weight I remember from a few days ago.  I was really looking forward to weighing myself this morning, due to my next reward (a pedicure)coming when I hit 189.

Given the circumstances, I need to focus on getting the hubs better and home.  I did however prepare most of this post yesterday before things went out of control.

I did good this week.  I stayed with in my goals for my carb count with the fiber adjustment.  I am going to try to continue to be good, but with hospital/fast food plus not being able to get in good workouts, we will see how things work out.

I am going to try to get in a walk while my hubs is resting.  That may be the extent of my exercising this week.

Daily Carb Count:

(out of 165g carbs with adjusted fiber intake)

Monday: 150carbs –fiber adjustment -35 115carbs (60 under)

Tuesday:163carbs –fiber adjustment -22 141carbs (24 under)

Wednesday:138carbs –fiber adjustment -30 108carbs (57under)

Thursday: 146carbs –fiber adjustment -41 105carbs(60 under)

Friday: 178carbs –fiber adjustment -48 130 (35 under)

Saturday: 189carbs –fiber adjustment -35 154 (11 under)

Sunday: 134carbs –fiber adjustment -43 91 (74  under)

To view my food diary, visit myfitnesspal.com. 

Profile name: ambreee

Exercise:

I did most of my exercising at home this week.  My kids have had a bug of some sort so we spent the whole week at home.  I did however get all of my workouts in still, six total!!  I love being 100% on one of my goals for this summer challenge.  I hope I can keep it up somehow!

Water Intake:

Did good on water.  I was a little low on Saturday and I woke up feeling totally dehydrated.  It is amazing how your body adjusts to the extra water intake and really seeks more liquid when you fall behind.  I am still working on getting re-hydrated.  Sitting in the ER for 5 hours didn’t help!

Measurements:

No measurements today.  I hope to get them in sometime, it just isn’t a priority right now.

For all of you out there who wouldn’t mind. I would appreciate prayers in my husbands behalf, that he will soon recover so we will be able to return home to our babies!!

Thank you!

Week 6: Slimmer This Summer

My goals:

-Journal my meals

-Be under 165g of Carbohydrates/day (with fiber adjustment)

-Exercise 5 times a week for 45-60 minutes

-10 glasses of water a day

-Run/walk a 5K in under 40 minutes GOAL MET!

-Build a support network

-lose an average of 2 lbs/week, 24lbs total

Beginning Weight: 201.3

Week 1: 198.6 (-2.7)

Week 2: 198.6 (0) No change

Week 3: 196.9 (-1.7) Total loss 4.4 lbs

Week 4: 193.9 (-3) Total loss 7.4

Week 5: 193.2 (-.5) Total loss 8.1   

Week 6: 193.3 (+.1) Total loss 8.0   

(16.7 loss since I began my journey in January)

The bad news... I had my first gain for the 12 week Slimmer This Summer Challenge.  Not a big gain, only .1 lb, but none the less, a gain that really easily could have been avoided.  Last week I basked in a few pieces of wonderful pumpkin bread and didn’t track yesterday and ate more than I have in quite a while.  We were visiting my in-laws and I decided to take a day off.  I knew I would have some sort of gain.

The good news... We are half way through the challenge and I am down 8 lbs.  I am not on track for loosing a total of 24lbs, but it is still possible if I kick butt and get back in gear! Also more good news below on my measurement report.

I am 4 pounds away from reaching my next reward: a pedicure.  My feet need some summer pampering in a major way.  I want this bad.  My mother-in-law wants to go with me even, but if I don’t hurry up and lose the next 4lbs, she is going to go without me!

Daily Carb Count:

(out of 165g carbs with adjusted fiber intake)

Monday: 141carbs –fiber adjustment -39 102carbs (63 under)

Tuesday:178carbs –fiber adjustment -65 113carbs (52 under)

Wednesday:144carbs –fiber adjustment -33 111carbs (54under)

Thursday: 220carbs –fiber adjustment -28 192carbs(27 over)

Friday: 216carbs –fiber adjustment -41 175 (10 over)

Saturday: 217carbs –fiber adjustment -65 152 (13 under)

Sunday: Didn’t track, way over!

To view my food diary, visit myfitnesspal.com. 

Profile name: ambreee

Exercise:

I got my five work outs of 45-60 minutes in, despite not really feeling well a good part of the week.  I was moody,  dizzy and really tired all week.  I don’t know what is up.  The kids were crazy too. Maybe we are all fighting a bug.

Water Intake:

Did good on water, even exceeded my goal a couple of days with the summer heat getting to me.

Measurements:

Despite the gain, I am still shrinking. This week I lost ½ inch off my hips, belly and rib cage and a ¼ inch off my arms.  Here are my total losses (lbs and inches) since the beginning of the challenge.

Weight	201.3	193.3	8
Neck	13.5	13.5	0
Chest	43.5	42.5	1
Ribs	39	36.5	2.5
Waist	41	40	1
Belly	46	44	2
Hips	45.5	44	1.5
Calf	16	16	0
Arm	15	14.5	.5
	6/6/11 Start Measurements	7/18/11 Current	difference

Goal Clothing

I decided to rummage through my closet and find a few items to deem as my “Goal Clothing”.   

Goal Clothing #1 White Shirt:

I can actually fit into this shirt right now, but I don’t like how it fits.  I would like to be able to wear white and not feel like a bloated whale. It is a size large, but I need to be less than large for it to look right.  It isn’t so much that I love the shirt, but I want to be able to wear white.

Overweight+white=no good.  That is why this is a goal shirt.  I want to look good in white.  There will be a day where I don’t hide in my sheltered black tops!

I took out my trusty old measuring tape and did some measuring.  For me to be more comfortable in this shirt I need to lose another 9 inches off my belly and 3.5 inches off my arms.  We will get there!

Goal Clothing #2 Vintage Like Dress

I am not one for fancy clothing, but when I found this dress at a thrift store I fell in love with it.  It is hard to tell from the picture, the dress is a light silver rather than white. I will wear it with a shrug for modesty purposes.

The tag says size 12.  I was a size 12 when I bought it and it didn’t fit then.  I couldn’t get it zipped all the way and was sucking in for dear life. I bought it as a goal piece.  The only problem is I went up instead of down (darn marriage and pregnancies!)

I am guessing the dress is closer to an 8-10.

So again I did some measuring and I need to lose 7 inches on my chest and 5 inches off my ribs for this beauty to be able to zip and to be able to breathe.  When I reach my goal weight I plan on going on a special vacation with my husband and I would like to be able to wear this dress on my special trip.  I am thinking a cruise may be in order!

Goal Clothing #3 Brown Shorts

At my smallest I would have fit into these shorts.  That is why I am setting out to be able to wear this size again.  The tag says size 6.  I will need to lose 10 inches off of my waist and about 14 inches off my belly.  Aiming high really, but I do know it is possible with the right motivation!

So what are some of your goal pieces of clothing?  I would love to hear (or see!)!

Where are you going to go, if you don’t shoot for the stars?

Five Week Update: Slimmer This Summer

My goals:

-Journal my meals

-Be under 165g of Carbohydrates/day

-Exercise 5 times a week for 45-60 minutes

-10 glasses of water a day

-Run/walk a 5K in under 40 minutes GOAL MET!

-Build a support network

-lose an average of 2 lbs/week, 24lbs total

Beginning Weight: 201.3

Week 1: 198.6 (-2.7)

Week 2: 198.6 (0) No change

Week 3: 196.9 (-1.7) Total loss 4.4 lbs

Week 4: 193.9 (-3) Total loss 7.4

Week 5: 193.2 (-.5) Total loss 8.1        

(16.8 loss since I began my journey in January)

Daily Carb Count:

(out of 165g carbs with adjusted fiber intake)

Monday: Didn’t track, but I did okay for being a holiday

Tuesday: Didn’t track, couldn’t access the internet

Wednesday: 222 –fiber points 86 136 adjusted (29 under)

Thursday: 202 –fiber points 46 156 adjusted (9 under)

Friday: Didn’t track, was out late with the fam.

Saturday: 179 –fiber points 37.5 141.5 adjusted(23.5 under)

Sunday: 226 –fiber points 58 168 adjusted (3 over)

To view my food diary, visit myfitnesspal.com. 

Profile name: ambreee

So not the greatest loss. I went off track a few times this week. I know I can lose weight faster if I were more disciplined in my eating.  One thing that is important to me is that I keep the weight off.  I would rather lose slowly than to lose big quickly and have the weight return once again.  There is always room for improvement.  This week I am going to do better in my eating!!

Exercise:

My goal is to get in 5 workouts (45-60 minutes) a week.  I am proud to report I have done just this!  In fact most weeks I get in 6 work outs.  I have failed to report my exercise last week.

Water Intake:

Doing well.  I make my goal of 80oz. most days.  Some days I do fall a bit short, but not by much, a few ounces here and there.

Measurements:

In the past week I lost a ½ inch on all of my mid section including: ribs, waist, belly and hips!  Since I have started the challenge I have lost the following:

Weight	201.3	193.2	8.1 lbs
Neck	13.5	13.5	0
Chest	43.5	43	-.5
Ribs	39	36.5	-2.5
Waist	41	40	-1
Belly	46	44.5	-1.5
Hips	45.5	44.5	-1
Calf	16	16	0
Arm	15	14.75	-.25
	6/6/11	7/11/11

 On to week six!!