Write down your goals, and reiterate!

So I began this year taking on two challenges, eat healthy/ exercise more AND put a out a War On Debt!

Reflecting back on the last 5months, I have realized that although day to day, I don’t feel change is happening, I need to remember to celebrate the small successes, ie actually going to the gym, setting out small goals and achieving them etc. There has been significant CHANGE and I need to take time once and awhile to reflect on what I have accomplished, not what I have yet to accomplish.

With that being said, here are some highlights of the achievements:

To date I have lost almost 20lbs, through a few obstacles; ie my appendix, travel for work AND Vacation! I have managed to work out and get on a great work out program which I’m beginning to see the transformation in my body! I’m so stoked to see what else is to come!

Pantry Challenge: I managed to eat out of my pantry for a lot longer than I anticipated, and although I did go to the grocery store a couple of times; I still eating out of my pantry! (Mostly breakfast food!)

War on Debt: Not only did I start applying the principals to my life, but something AMAZING took place. I reconnected with an employer I used to work for years ago, someone; God, or the “higher power” connected us in the most amazing way, and through them I’ve been introduced to their By Design group. Through this group you touch on different areas of your life, and making positive change. Within this  group, you are surrounded with “Like Minded” people who want to achieve not only their highest good, but the highest good of others, and to me, these are the types of people you want to surround yourself with! In fact, through this entire 5 months this year, my life has taking a huge transformation, and I’ve noticed it impact my relationship with Graeme on so many levels. I have also seen positive change in him, and good things happen to him. He actually is considering going to First Step to Success with me!! He is also understanding what I was trying to practise from what I learned through Dani Johnson which is “"If you can be trusted with what's in front of you, then you'll be promoted to something bigger". Needless to say last night we cleaned out our vehicles because we need to love and appreciate that which we have!

Also, in order to receive more in our life we need to release what we have, I hope to get some things together for a garage sale taking place at a Church. Hopefully I can sell some things and use that money to pay off some DEBT!

Currently that is were this stand. I hope to start the next week out in charge, as this past week I’ve been exhausted, hungry and unmotivated at home and at work, however I’ve managed to keep up the workouts...I need to remember that when I’m doing something, I need to give it 110% in all areas that require me.

Sometimes you need a break!

Last week I enjoyed a work trip to Montreal where I thoroughly enjoyed drinking wine, and eating fantastic food. I tried to be conscience of what I put in my month and did a good job, then just decided heck with it! I’m going to enjoy this! I managed to walk a lot and get two work outs in. However, my love for food didn’t subside when I arrived home, I enjoyed Thai, a bbq and more beverages! I think my body needed this however. As I have been training hard, and eating healthy I think I needed to “shock” my system. I did however get a hike and two runs in over the long weekend, I figured it was better than nothing!

I was afraid to weigh myself on the scale this past Sunday, but I acknowledge the fact that it will have to wait, I have to give my body this week to recover from last week’s “break” and figured the scale wouldn’t be a true result of my current status. On that note- although I’m thoroughly enjoying this weight loss, I am getting extremely frustrated with the lack of clothes that fit! I really don’t want to go out and buy clothes right now, because I want to save that for when I’m at my goal! Until then I’ll have to be creative with my wardrobe!

Happy Day!

Last night my girlfriend Jenn, (who I’ve mentioned before) is an Athletic Therapist. She took my measurements last night and it was so nice to see that my fat is turning into muscle. She did this by the fat pincher...(my name for it). It was reassuring to know that even though my lb’s aren’t moving drastically, that fat is turning into muscle and my measurements are going down!! Yahoo!! I went and weighed myself this morning and I’m officially out of the 170’s (which is awesome!!).  I just hope that I keep creeping down and not up! I have faith! I’m aiming for close to 160 by the middle of June!

Here are my measurements since September....

 

September 17, 2011 @ 7:00am		08-Oct-11
Weight: 187 lbs (85kg)	-3	Weight 184 lbs (83.6 kg)	-1
Height: 5’5		Height 5’5
Waist circumference : 84 mm	-3.5	Waist circumference 80.5mm	5.5
Skin folds:		Skin folds:
Bicep 24.0	7	Bicep 31	-10.5
Tricep 35.5	-2.5	Tricep 33	1
Subscapularis 31.5	-3	Subscapularis 28.5	5
Iliac crest 26.5	2	Iliac crest 28.5	-5.5
Calf 33.5	-1.5	Calf 32	-2
Thigh 54.5	-6	Thigh 48.5	-1.5
Measurements:		Measurements:
R thigh 66.5mm	-1.5	R thigh 65 mm	-1.5
L thigh 66.0 mm	-2	L thigh 64 mm	-1
Gluteal 116.5 mm	-2	Gluteal 114.5 mm	-0.5
Waist 84 mm	-3.5	Waist 80.5 mm	-
Chest 100mm	1	Chest 101mm	1
R arm 34 mm	0.5	L arm 34.5 mm	1.5
L arm 33 mm	0.5	R arm 33.5 mm	1
	-17.5		-8.5
13-Nov-11		09-May-12
Weight 183 lbs (kg)	-12	Weight 171.5 lbs (kg)
Height 5’5		Height 5’5
Waist circumference 86mm	-11	Waist circumference 75.5 mm
Skin folds:		Skin folds:
Bicep 22, 19=20.5	-11	Bicep 10, 9  =9.5
Tricep 35, 29, 33=34	-7.5	Tricep 26,27 , =26.5
Subscapularis 34, 33=33.5	-13	Subscapularis 20,22 =21
Iliac crest 24, 22=23	-6	Iliac crest 16,18 =17
Calf 29, 31=30	-2	Calf 25,31 =28
Thigh 45, 49=47		Thigh , =
Measurements:		Measurements:
R thigh  63.5mm	-2.5	R thigh 61 mm
L thigh 63 mm	0.5	L thigh  63.5mm
Gluteal  114mm	-6	Gluteal  108mm
Waist  80.5mm	-5	Waist 75.5 mm
Chest 102mm	-4	Chest 98mm
L arm  36mm	-0.5	L arm  35.5mm
R arm  34.5mm	-2	R arm  32.5mm
	-80.5

Motivation!

It's been fantastic having G on the same page as me with the healthy lifestyle. A few times we went for a hike, and it’s something I really enjoy doing! He however still enjoys his sweets, and it’s at times difficult to for me to be stern, yet passive because I know you need to have balance. He’s doing so well, and I find it so attractive his ambition, motivation and attitude in general! He’s looking really good too, and I LOVE and so look forward to our hikes! A few friends have joined us the last few times to hike Mt Finlayson and having that “like minded” people around makes a wonderful support group for living a healthy lifestyle.

I showed G my before and today’s pics and he was shocked at the difference. I guess when your around someone all the time you don’t really notice (although he had mentioned to be before that my mid section was looking smaller). It reminded me of the disappointment I have in myself for letting myself go like that. It’s so important for me to feel, and look good. Not only does diet and exercise help internally, but externally too- and the external is a reflection of how good the inside is J. I’m so looking forward to getting to where I would like to be, and I truly hope it’s in time for summer!! I do have two months before July, and I’m really hoping my 26^th birthday I can have pictures taken with pride :D.

4 Month Progress!

Well here we are....I've just completed 4 months (of Weight Watchers and the gym/running) and the pictures from the last 8 months are here (considering the first 4 months were awful for me on BFL) It still energized me to go with what I knew worked! So here are the "progress" results...