Super Duper!

--Trisha
Last week 209.8, and today...207.8!! That's a two-pounder! I did NOT expect that, but I will take it. I know that TOM is any day now, and I am so glad that I weighed today before the all-day Halloween eating at school than if I woulda weighed in tomorrow!! I might actually weigh tomorrow, just to see the damage, LOL! Normally I wait all week...

And, something else I am totally proud of myself about: I got up at 5:30, and I went to the gym! I ran a 12-minute mile today, THE best I have ever done :)) I cranked the treadmill up to 8 mph for 90 seconds, and I did that TWICE!!! I will admit that I was a little terrified of falling on my face and off the back of the treadmill, but in reality, I am a lot stronger than I give myself credit for being!! My goal is to be able to do 10 mph for 30 seconds. I am going to go for that on Wednesday!!! Stay tuned...

This workout also helped me not feel so guilty for the sweets I ate today. I did write EVERYTHING down that went in my mouth :) I did eat small portions!!!

I have a plan to workout Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at the gym, jogging on the treadmill, maybe some elliptical, and I would love to get the weights started, though that may be a little more down the road. I felt RADICAL all day, full of energy, that I don't think was just the sugar! Then through November, I have Zumba on Tuesdays, plus I have my Zumba dvds.

I also have re-focused my water goal, and I am on several days in a row of back to 100 ounces at least! I can totally feel the difference. I feel so much better when I drink enough water :))

I am so excited for this next month!! On October 3rd I weighed 215. So, I lost 7.2 pounds this month. IF I were to do the same this month, I would be right close to the 200 mark!! THAT is some SUPER motivation!!!

response to your "Journey for Sure" post

Trisha,
You nailed it!  This has been a huge turning point for us!  Without this challenge/blog, we wouldn't have the relationship we have built.  It is crazy to me that life hasn't let us be friends and not only are we battling the bulge, but we are building a friendship.  We are strong and determined women with obstacles to work around and combining our knowledge and strength, we will overcome it ALL! 

Thank you for all your inspiration and kind words.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel...and I am so proud of you!

PHewwww! I made it through!

Last week wasn't my best week in all aspects of my life.  It was very emotional and just tough.  But today I have renewed spirit.  I have a different outlook on life!!!  It is once again a new day, a clean slate. 

I weighed in at a 195 this morning.  That is a gain I can totally handle.  I did lots of exercise and I didn't eat like a champ.  I didn't eat horribly either.  I was totally aware of what I was eating with my journal, the good and the bad. The one thing that I did do differently this last week was beat myself up over every little thing.  That could be why my weekend was so super fun packed and why today I feel so good!!!

I have been doing Zumba like crazy! Then this weekend, I did yard work and played with the kids.  Today is a whirlwind day...got a Halloween party to go to at the school and a lunch party at work.  But I will make good choices and watch my portions!! 

To a new day.....

Lots of updates!!

--Trisha
Check out my blog! I have found a heart rate monitor I am buying t his week!! SO EXCITED :) Also, I learned a lot about EPOC!!

Time is flying, and so is the fat!

--Trisha
I have updated my winter workout and weight loss goals over on my other blog! I can't believe we have been doing this since mid-July! 3 1/2 months :))

A journey, for sure!

Stephanie,
Thank you for having the courage to share your condition. I just wanted to say a few things about this challenge. I truly believe it's grown to mean so much more than just a challenge to each of us. I feel like it has pushed your struggle to the surface, and now you are able to focus on healing. And, holy smokes, you have been exercising for 3 1/2 months now!! So many benefits there, as well as where would you be physically right now without it?

I believe that this challenge, which has really turned more into a motivational blog between two unlikely people, has definitely made things better between us! Our entire readership does not know of our recent stress between our two households, but I believe that it healed much more quickly than it would have back in the day.

The bottom line is that neither one of us wanted to give up on all the progress we have made, in large part due to this blog!!! Is everything perfect? Of course not, but I feel like we can see things differently now, and that through this blog, we haven't just viewed one another based on our roles in a little one's life! Rather we see each other as women, as real people!

I look forward to seeing where our journey continues to take us :)

Please read....

I know I haven't weighed in yet.  But I did a post on my personal blog and I am going to link it for you all to read.  I have done something I am not proud of and it was harder than H E double hockey sticks to talk about. there...it's done and said.

Trisha's Weigh-In

I had lots of exercise this weekend :))
I had lots of food experiences, too!!
You can check it all out on my other blog.

Today I was nervous when I stepped on the scale, but ALAS!!! I weigh 209.8!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I lost 2 pounds this past week :))) And, I am now officially--albeit not by much--out of the 210s!! WOO HOO :) I can't hardly believe that I now have less than 10 pounds to pull under 200!!! TALK ABOUT MOTIVATION :)

I gave Stephanie back the Health magazine she gave me. The crazy thing was that I had bought the same magazine(for the first time) right before she gave it to me!! I also gave her a Women's Running magazine, which was also the first time I bought it.

Weigh in

Last week: 183.3
This week: 184

Sooo tired of the roller coaster!!!!  I need to shake this!!!  I have been journaling food, and exercising.  But I think I need to amp it up a bit.  I need to double check my portion sizes.  And I need to move even more. 

I will do this.  I have to do this.  I can do this.

YES, YOU CAN! I am so proud of your exercise!! Remember that you are making changes on the inside, both healhty heart-wise and healthy head-wise :))) YAHOO!

OMG TRISHA!!!!

YOU ARE THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN!!!  I am so proud of you! I know how hard this is!!!  You have made such a HUGE change!!!  You are an inspiration!  I love reading what you write every week and I look forward to the next post from you. 

Good job Trisha!!! 

Gimme some knuckles!!!  KNUCKLES :)))

CRAZY busy week this week!! SIGH. SO, just wanted to thank you for your positive comments and generous feedback :) It's very much appreciated. I also wanted to tell you how you are an inspiration to me, as well! I am so proud of you for all of your exercise!!! I have had several people mention to me that they saw you walking up Kermel grade :)) I always get so excited!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!

Trisha's weigh-in :))))))

So sore today! Wow, I am REALLY feeling that jumprope workout!! And, my friend gave me her ZUMBA dvds and even the little shaker sticks!! WOO hoo! Excited to try it tomorrow morning :) Plus tomorrow afternoon we ZUMBA!

Weigh-in time:
I weigh 211.8, so down 1 pound from last week! I so want to work hard this week and drop 2 full pounds.

How about looking at the big picture?
Started at 235.4 which equals 23.6 pounds lost during challenge or10%!! That's a milestone for sure!

Or, even the bigger picture?
244 at the beginning of summer which equals 32.2 pounds lost in four months or 13.2% :))

Update on the inches

--Trisha

July 13                            8/24                10/15              Total
Hips- 52 inches                 50                      48                 -4
Waist- 46 inches               43.5                    40                 -6
Chest- 49 inches               46.5                    44                 -5
Thighs-24 inches               23.5                     23.5             -.5
                                        Arms- 13              13                 0

THAT'S -15.5 inches off of my body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Definitely jives with the changes in clothing sizes!!!

Love, love exercise

I really do love exercising :)

Read all about my INTENSE jumprope workout that I did today! Thanks, Stephanie for the jumprope!!

I am loving ZUMBA, and I will get to do it twice this week!!! Maybe more. I ZUMBA each Tuesday with my cheer squad, and this week is a free try it out class, and we have THE best teacher, Lydia, and I invited Stephanie to come :)) As well, my friend Tina contacting me and is GIVING me her ZUMBA dvds :) HOW AMAZINGLY cool is that?!?

3 months is a BIG difference :)))

July 13



Oct 16

I realize the clothes are a bit different, but I can tell you this. The shirt in the first pic is a 2XL and fits tightly (as you can see), and the shirt in the second pic is XL, and it has a loose fit. Which btw, it is one of my all-time favorite shirts, and I was sad when I couldn't wear it because it was too tight!

I do have a LONG ways to go to get my goal, but it feels good to have this much accomplished in three months! I can't wait for the next three :))

Trisha Weighing In

Last week 215, today 212.8 down 2.2!!! I am so freaking excited!! I can't believe that 3 more pounds, and I will be into the 2 single digits...209. I am now officially 13 pounds from being under 200!!!!! For this challenge, I am 20 pounds lighter. Plus, I am  down from 244 at the beginning of summer, so that's a total of 31.2 pounds!!

Today I had 5 different people comment on how good I was looking :))) And, people that didn't even know what I am doing.

I need to take another picture :) And, I need to do my measurements again!


I do feel like this is the inspiration to re-focus! I need to drink more water. I am drinking water, just not my goal of 100 ounces.

And, I wanted to start lifting weights this month, which I have not. I even wrote up a schedule, but I haven't made it happen. Actually I have only been working out two to three times a week, which is far under my goal. Now that I can see the light,I feel like going towards it!! I want to work out at least 15 minutes EVERY day. I don't feel like that's too much, especially when I want to power through and reach my next goals (under 210, and then under 200)!!

I definitely have the eating down, and the writing everything down is making a HUGE difference :) I feel so in control with my calorie intake!! Now, I just need to find the same commitment to my calorie output! And, I know I can do it :)

And...

I have a magazine that I am working on to share with Trisha!!! ;)

I LOVE THE HEALTH magazine :)) That was the first time I ever read it!! I will be giving it back next week :))) And, I have one that I just finished reading and need to get sticky notes in it, too!! It's been such a crazy week...

I broke down...

and I bought a set of Zumba DVD's! :)  I can't get to a class and I soooo badly want to try this and do this!!!  I sure hope I like them!!! I get them next week!

Crusted Tilapia

Fish is a favorite at our house.  I try to come up with interesting ways to cook it and this crusted way seems to be a favorite. 

4 oz. fillets of tilapia (prepackaged cut already :) )
3 sheets of phyllo dough
fresh dill (or dry)
diced garlic
lemon pepper (or sometimes I just squeeze some lemon on)

you take your 3 sheets of dough and light spray some olive oil cooking spray on each sheet as you layer them.  Cut the sheets in half and place one fillet on each half.  Sprinkle your seasoning on and fold the fish with the sheets and lay seam side down on a sprayed cookie sheet.  Spray a little more spray on top, it helps make the crunch!  Just light sprays, though!  And feel free to put more dill on top!

Bake in the oven at 375 until golden brown! 

These little crispy pockets of goodness are heaven!!!  And they taste great the next day cold for lunch! 

I don't know if there is an actual recipe for this, because I just did this on my own one day. :)

Total calories per 4 oz fillet: 200

Stephanie's weigh in and highlights

Stephanie here...

last week: 184
This week: 183.3 :) 

This was a crazy week for me.  My baby wasn't feeling good.  He was up every hour to hour and a half for two days. So I had total lack of sleep.  And sleep is a very important task for me.  I get sick and grumpy and just not a happy camper when I lack sleep.  My focus gets all messed up!  Speaking of focus, I am in the process of writing a blog post about mental hurdles and the little light bulb that I had light up this weekend!

This whole process has been such a learning experience for me.  More than I could have EVER imagined...

Tastes like a caramel apple :)

--Trisha

I made one of my favorite yummy salads tonight to take over to our friends' home for dinner!

It normally has snickers cut up and mixed in, but I left it out tonight, and it was still awesome!

Choose your favorite apple, slice and dice it up. I used Golden Delicious tonight.

Choose a favorite SF, FF Jello pudding. Tonight's choice was butterscotch! I do love chocolate, white chocolate, and even coconut!!!

Then you take one tub of LIGHT cool whip.

You mix it all up, and there ya be! YUMMY!!!!! And, it feels like such a dessert :)

Oh me oh my!

Where have I been?  Is it seriously already Wednesday???  I have had a ton of fun this week and have been busy with my kids and hubby! 

First, weight in:
last week: 185
this week: 184
loss of 1lb.  :)  I will take it! 

So the 5K came and went and I am excited to keep at this jogging business and get form and breathing figured out better and next year conquer the course jogging the whole thing!  I did my run alone and I finished in 41 minutes.  I could see Trisha the whole way! :)  I could have done better I think, because I don't think I pushed myself hard enough.  I got a side ache after the second water station, so I didn't drink anymore after that! It was fun to pass by people I knew that knew this was a challenge for me and they would knuckle bump as we passed by each other! I really enjoyed myself! But for the next three days, I was SORE!!! My shins felt like the bone was bruised and my ankles hurt.  I kind of felt crappy afterwards too, but I think my allergies are to blame there.  And just like Trisha, I wheezed into the night and part of the next day!  I use to use an inhaler for anything exercise related but haven't had to for years.  Well I could have used a puff after the race!!!  So I think I will see about a refill!!!  Maybe that is part of my problem with breathing while I jog, I am just not getting enough oxygen.  Trisha, if you get diagnosed with EIA, you will totally see a difference after a puff of the inhaler! The only thing I didn't like about it was it gave me the shakes. But I would rather have the shakes than not being able to breath!

Yesterday I exercised at lunch.  I did the bleachers at the school and a long walk afterwards.  It felt good to use different muscles.  But again, I got lightheaded and felt icky, so again, I wonder if it is EIA???  We will find out after I get my inhaler!

I gave back the magazine that Trisha shared with me and I have to say it was a good magazine!  It has some good workouts in it and interesting articles.  But like Trisha put on a sticky...too many ads!  So now it is my turn! 

Yummy and healthy recipe!

I love this recipe! I first made it while visiting family in Texas many years ago. It's easy, cheap, low calories, and DELICIOUS!! It's from the Texas Rangers (as in the law enforcement, and specifically eating out on the trail) Cookbook!

 It was perfect for today, and the weather!

Texas Ranger Casserole

Head of cabbage= 290- Cut up and place in dish.

1 can of tomatoes with garlic, oregano, basil = 87.5 - Pour on top of cabbage.

1 large can of Rotel –tomatoes with green chiles (spicy--a favorite of us Texans!)=  150- On top of cabbage.

Mushrooms – 60 - whole fresh mushrooms, but you can use sliced mushrooms, if you want.I just put them on top of the cabbage.

Ground chicken – 1 pound- 859- I use turkey sometimes, too!

Spices--oregano, basil, garlic,etc. and 1 cup of water, can add more, if you want to make it more soupy :) I have even added tomato sauce before, when I wanted it especially soupy!

TOTAL = 1446.5 for total  or 241 calories for 1/6th of the dish, which is really a lot of food, and quite filling!

Trisha's Weigh-In and maybe TMI

Last week: 215.6
Today: 215
Down .6

I am OK with that, considering how absolutely bloated I feel...TOM started yesterday afternoon (so appreciative it wasn't the day before during the race!?!). That got me thinking...since I have been eating healthy and exercising, I am back onto a normal schedule (which is abnormal for me), and if that holds true, I will be TOM the day of my half-marathon in Vegas. THAT could be a problem, because I have TERRIBLE cramps and feel very nauseated the first day of TOM. I think that's an age thing, as I wasn't that way until only this past year :( I am curious how regular joggers deal with those sorts of things.

Best dinner ever. I wasn't feeling hungry at all :( So, I decided to try Stephanie's pumpkin oatmeal for dinner, and it was perfect, and exactly what I needed!!!! A new favorite comfort food for me :)

AWESOME POSSUM!

--Trisha
I had a fabulous weekend :) I am excited to weigh tomorrow morning!

I did jog/walk the 5K this past Saturday, and I had a big SURPRISE during the race. You will have to read about that over on my other blog, OH LORDY!

I am SOOOOO PROUD of both Stephanie and I for doing this 5K!!!! Yahoo :)

Now, I want to do another, and I found World Run Day, which I don't know exactly what I am going to do, but I figure if nothing else, I could walk/jog the same course we just did!

I have also had a HUGE happy moment of smaller pants today! I definitely need to do my measurements this week!!!

On a not-so-happy note, I did figure out that I have EIA :(  But, I am going to go to the doctor this week, and I have read a lot about it, so that I can manage it!

I also found a super cool calculator. You know for being a words kind of girl, I love all the cool calculators you can find online. SO, I found a weight loss target calculator! Seriously, I entered in my info, and it tabulates and gives me a date for when I will hit my target weight based on how many calories I consume a day!! VERY COOL!!!! If I eat 1600 calories a day, I will weigh 160 pounds on April 5th! How cool is that?! It's fun to play around with it,  and try different weights, like being under 200, etc.!

I am looking forward to this week, and my new exercise schedule. I am starting my third week of writing my calories down :) I actually wrote up an exercise calendar of what and when I am going to exercise this month!