So...Are You Planning to Update Us or WHAT?

My bad, my bad. I've been on vacation from the weight loss. Sorry. But yes, all that pushing and hard work I did the last 12 weeks paid off. I WON! I am so proud of myself. And now that the contest is over, I plan to maintain my loss. I've decided to start weight lifting. No, I'm not trying to look like a female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger...seriously, who would want that? My goal is to define my muscles and tone them up. I recently purchased one of the best books I have ever read when it comes to fitness, The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess. The books is absolutely solid gold.

So this is where I am now. The pounds are off and now it's time to define them curves that I have. So you know when I get stopped by some rabid, foaming at the mouth, obsessed fan who thinks I'm Janet Jackson I can dropkick their ass into the next decade :D. Actually, I could probably do that now. But still, you know.

So I'm going to revamp my blog a little. I'm thinking I want to take monthly pictures of my body so that I can have a photo timeline of how the muscles in my body are shaping up.

Wish me luck. And, remember...Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!

I Pushed and I Pushed and I Pushed

Actually, I started pushing last week after my last weigh in. When I realized I was only 7lbs from having lost an even 40lbs, I decided to go for it this. So I pushed myself to the max. And while most of it was for the contest, the other part was the desire to be able to say "I just lost 40lbs"! And because well who wouldn't want to try to do it if it was within their reach. So I pushed and pushed and pushed. Seven pounds is the most I've ever lost in a week. And, it'll also be the last time I do again. I don't recommend, nor endorse it. But I am happy with it. I have now lost a total of 40lbs since Feb. WOW! That is just unbelievable. And now my husband owes me $100 from a bet we placed 7 years ago when I first got into the whole TaeBo thing. He told me it was a joke and that he doubted I'd lose even 10lbs. Well, 7 years later and now he has egg on his face, lol. I can't wait to tell him. Although, I doubt he'll give me $100 over it. I have a feeling he is going to have a case of selective amnesia.

What a journey! I can't believe the contest is over. Well, actually I can. And thank goodness!!! I want to do nothing but eat an entire box of doughnuts. But you know what the crazy part is? I couldn't even if I wanted to now. I can maybe eat 1 or 2, but if I even attempt to eat more, I feel sick. I've cut sweets almost out of my diet. Save for the occasional cupcake binge ;-) or chocolate bar, I really don't eat sweets anymore. After reading a bunch of books on weight loss and shrinking your waist line, I've found that sugary foods are the culprit. So I've done my best to Just Say No. And wow, it has actually paid off. When the contest started, my waistline was at 39 inches and now it's at 34!!! Of course it went up and down for awhile. But still!!! I've gone from a size 14/15 in pants to a now 10/11!

Now that the contest is over, the real challenge of maintaining the weight lost begins...

Stay tuned!

Before and After Photos

So tonight I took my "after" photo for the contest. You may remember the one I took at the beginning. I decided to wear the exact same outfit to show the difference. The shirt no longer stretches across my body...okay, it still does stretch across my breasts. But well, what can I say? I'm top heavy and these girls aren't going anywhere anytime soon. But the point is that the shirt is now fitting loosely. If you look at the back, you can see where the shirt bunches up because it doesn't stretch across my back anymore. Sweet! Also, I had to fold down the top of my shorts so that they wouldn't slip down. How awesome is that? But, I'm really happy with my results. My belly has shrunk considerably which is making me smile incredibly wide. My arms also look slightly smaller. I think I'll definitely focus on them next to get them nice and defined. So enough with talk, here are the photos :)


Before: Taken 02/19/09





After: Taken 05/14/09

Last Day

So although the contest ends tomorrow, today is technically the last day for me as I send in my weight on Friday mornings. So today is my last day to really workout. I have a big day planned too. I've been working out twice a day every day this week. Today, I'm going to push even harder by working out for a little longer doing my workouts. I am SO thankful though that my period came last week and I don't have any bloating this week. Plus, even though I still do it, I don't have to work out on my period. I really hate doing that because all I ever want to do is sleep and eat chocolate glazed donuts....ooh donuts.

So I'm off to get my day started for my last chance workouts.

Biggest Loser (Show) Finale

WOW! I can't believe Helen won. Okay, actually I can. When they brought her out, I thought to myself "she looks really good, she'll probably win". I am just so happy that Mike and Ron didn't win anything. I didn't like those two at all. But congrats to both of them. I feel a little sad for Tara cause she literally worked her ass off along with her belly, thighs, and arms. But it took her a long time to come to the realization that she really wanted to win. Scratch that, that she deserved to win. Oh well. The biggest thing is they all changed their lives for the better.

And speaking of...so have I. This is the last week of the Biggest Loser contest with the mom's group I'm in. I don't want to sound cocky which is why I haven't mentioned my standing in the contest very much. Because honestly, it's not about swagger to me or bragging rights. Yes, I want the money. Yes, I deserve the money (as well as others working hard). And I hope to goodness that I win. I am currently number one in the contest. And I just hope I can keep the lead. I am working extra hard this week. I want to win so bad. I will not lie. I will definitely be hurt if I lose, but knowing I have changed my life for the better will be a nice comfort. And, losing to one of the other ladies will make me feel proud because they have all strived so hard. These ladies are incredible and inspire me to keep going.

Whether I win or lose, after the contest I will continue on my journey. Because fitness is a journey, not a destination. And I am enjoying the ride. I have hit my current goal of 165lbs. I would love to be 150lbs by the end of the year. No matter what this has been a great time in my life. I have lost all of the baby weight I have ever gained from all three of my pregnancies. And I have knocked off weight that was just from Little Debbie and Betty Crocker. I am so proud of myself. And nothing, not even a contest, can take that from me.