Weigh-in #12 - Biggest Loss Yet!

As you keep reading, you'll discover why I'm so excited about this weigh-in report. Okay, I won't keep you in suspense. One, I did hit the 270s, and two, this is my biggest weight loss report since I started blogging my journey to weight loss. How big? 8 pounds! Yes, that's right, when I stepped onto the scale Saturday it showed that I weighed 272.4 pounds. I'm sure the loss is from being sick and having no appetite for two weeks, but I'm going to do my hardest to keep from gaining any of it back. In fact, I hope that my next weigh-in will have me in the 260s.

Since I finally got rid of that nasty stomach flu, I'll resume my exercises and watch my calorie intake (yep, the appetite has returned). I hope and pray that if I stick to exercising and eating right I'll have more good news in a few weeks. Stay tuned and keep praying for me as I continue my journey to weight loss.

Previous weight (2-2-09): 280.4 pounds
Current weight: 272.4 pounds
Total lost since last weigh-in: 8 pounds

Weigh-in #11

I spent Friday night in the local emergency room with my 16-year-old daughter. Her tonsils were swollen and had white streaks all over them, which usually means strep throat. In addition to all that, she was complaining of abdominal pain, had a fever and chills, and was sick to her stomach.

After waiting for approximately three hours for a doctor to see my daughter, we learned that, basically, she had the flu, which had been going around. Well, come Saturday morning, I caught what she had, and the both of us were sick. Since Saturday, I've been unable to hold my head up, so I've pretty much been in bed resting and taking it easy -- except for the times when I was up nursing my daughter.

Although, I'm still not feeling up to power, I can at least hold my head up again. Besides, I was really getting tired of being in the bed; a person can only stand the bed for so long. Anyway, because I've been sick, I wasn't able to weigh in until yesterday evening, and I'm happy to report that I've lost 1.6 pounds. I would imagine some of that weight loss is from being sick, because I haven't been able to eat anything for two days. I tried eating Saturday night, but the small portion that I did eat didn't stay down, so I've been living off Mint Green Tea, cough syrup and Halls cough drops since Saturday evening. Even if my illness played a part in this weigh-in, I'm still happy I lost, and I plan to lose even more for my next weigh-in. If my plan works, I should be back in the 270's in two weeks. Yep, I'm crossing my fingers and hope you are, too.

Previous weight (1-16-09): 282.0 pounds
Current weight: 280.4 pounds
Total lost since last weigh-in: 1.6 pounds

Weigh-in #10

It's been too cold here in Southern Illinois to walk, but I have worked out on the Ab Lounge. By looking at the results of my weight-in, though, I guess I need to add some additional exercises to my routine when it's too cold to walk. I realize -- and am thankful -- that I still lost weight, but it wasn't a great weight loss. Even though the numbers aren't huge, a little is better than gaining, right?

The process may be slow, but I'm getting there. Yes, I know if I were able to be more active, I could probably report bigger numbers for my bi-weekly weigh-ins, but at least the numbers on the scale are going down and not up. Who knows, maybe I'll have a bigger loss to report at my next weigh-in, since I have plans to increase my fiber intake and try some new exercises. I'll let you know how that goes, of course.

Until the next weigh-in, keep reading as I share my adventure as well as weight loss advice, and pray for me as I continue my journey to weight loss.

Previous weight (1-3-09): 282.8 pounds
Current weight: 282.0 pounds
Total lost since last weigh-in: 0.8 pounds

Craving a Healthy Snack for Your Sweet Tooth?

I'm not too big on sweets as some folks are, but there are occasions when I get a hankering for something sweet. In the past, I would bake some cookies, eat a piece of chocolate cake or reach for a doughnut when that rare moment of wanting something sweet hit me. Today, however, I'm determined to reach my goal weight, and in order to do that, I can't have that cookie, chocolate cake or doughnut... no matter how good it sounds. So how do I satisfy my sweet tooth now? Simple, I have a honey graham cracker, which seems to satisfy my need for something sweet. Yes, I realize graham crackers contain sugar --7 grams to be exact -- but they're also high in fiber and protein, and the best part is they don't have near as many calories as the cookies, chocolate cake and donuts. Therefore, I consider my honey graham crackers to be a healthy snack when I'm wanting something to satisfy my sweet tooth.

What do you consider a healthy snack for someone with a hankering for a sweet treat?

Photo credit: Oskay

6 Reasons Why I Should Lose Weight... and Will

I'm determined to reach my goal weight this year, so to motivate myself I'm going to state six reasons why I should lose weight and share it with you. When I find myself feeling down, low on energy or unmotivated, I'll refer back to this list for inspiration to carry on and not give up.

Except for number one, the list is in no particular order.

1. To stick around longer for my family; they need me. (Yep, the family in the picture to your right, which by the way, is our first family photo. I must say, by looking at this picture you'd think the kids are out-growing the adults. Hmm... they just may be.)

2. So I can be happier with myself and my body.

3. So I can wear something sexy for hubby and not feel so icky when I do.

4. To live long enough so I can inspire several more people with my writing.

5. So I can go swimming without feeling embarrassed.

6. So I can share my weight loss success story and inspire others.

Wow! I'm already motivated after that. I may think of more reasons why I should lose weight later, and if I do, I'll update this list. In the meantime, feel free to comment, and by all means, if you're on your own journey to weight loss, I invite you to share the reasons why you should lose weight below or in a post on your own weight loss blog.

I'm so motivated now that I believe I'm going to publish this post and head to the Ab Lounge to exercise. I may even do some additional exercises that don't involve the Ab Lounge and that's not on my exercise plan. Writing a list such as this one really does work!

Sharing My Exercise Plan for 2009

I recently announced my weight loss goals for 2009, and one of my goals was to create an exercise plan. Today, I'd like to share that plan with you. If you're on your own journey to weight loss, feel free to use my plan to help you burn off the calories.

1. Walk for at least 15 minutes.
2. Workout on the Ab Lounge.
3. Perform household duties such as vacuuming and dusting furniture.

I plan to do my best to commit the above-mentioned exercises at least three times each week. They may not seem like a lot, but with my Asthma, I don't want to over-do it. I can always add more later, and if I do, I'll update this post with the newly added exercises. I honestly believe that once I start shedding a lot of this weight, my asthma will improve and I'll be able to add to my exercise plan. I feel a little is a whole lot better than nothing, and at least I'll be burning a few calories. We'll just have to see how this works out, so keep watching for updates.

In the meantime, if you know of any exercises that would be easy on someone with a severe case of Asthma, please share the exercises in the comments area. I'm open to all suggestions and tips.

Weigh-in #9

I'm happy to report that I'm starting 2009 out 2.2 pounds lighter! All that Green Tea, attempts to stay as active as I possibly can and watching my calorie intake must be paying off. I wish I could achieve a much bigger loss, but I'm satisfied with the small ones; at least I'm losing and not gaining.

By my next weigh-in, I hope to report a bigger loss as I begin to work on my weight loss goals for 2009. I believe once I create an exercise plan and start following that plan at least three days a week, I should see a bigger loss.

Previous weight (12-8-08): 284.4 pounds
Current weight: 282.8 pounds
Total lost since last weigh-in: 2.2 pounds