Update - Stacy

So I met with my trainer today to check my progress, we normally check every 8-12 weeks. The last progress report I had was April 1. Since April I have lost 8.5lbs 4.74 in and 1.71% body fat. Not quite the numbers I would have liked to have seen but progress none the less. My totals lost since July are 73.5lbs 33.75in and 13.71% body fat! I also did step, crunch, push-up and flexibility test. I improved in all of those too. My trainer wants to do a story on me and put on the board at the YMCA where I work out. So in July, one year after I started, she wants to take after pictures and redo all of my tests and weight and everything and post the results. So I have to work really hard this summer so I can lose more before July!! I am only 26.5lbs from losing 100lbs. I plan on getting there by the end of August. Then just about 25-30 left till my goal weight...it doesn't sound like alot when you break it down like that. I know it will be hard but I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel, and there is no way I can quit now. Like Amanda said, I can't wait till we can all get together after we've reached our goals...we are going to be 4 HOT MOMMAS!!

Update - Amanda

So it's been a month since my last post, so I thought it was time to update my status. I had hit a plateau for about 5 weeks, but am very, very happy to report that I finally made it over it. It took a lot of frustration and hard work, and honestly, rearranging of my eating. I stopped Weight Watchers, not because it's wasn't successful, but actually more because at this time, I couldn't afford to pay the monthly fee anymore. I still use the skills I learned while trying to keep my weight in check.

My weigh in this morning showed 3 pounds away from my initial goal of 145. I am beyond excited. I can definitely tell the difference in the way that my clothes are fitting and how I feel when I look at myself in the mirror. I have more appreciation for the way my body looks. I'm no where near perfect or where I would consider being perfect, but I'm a work in progress. I'm also glad that I didn't stop when that month got extremely hard - I cheated, I complained, and then I did something about it. I have now reevaluated my goal weight to 135, because I know I can get there if I continue on this path.

Summer is an extremely busy time for me, like it is for all wedding photographers, but I am trying to set a goal for increasing and continuing a work out regimen. I did get a bike for mothers day, and Peyton and I have been enjoying the warm evenings out and about on the bike, so at least I am getting some physical activity. I am going on vacation in 2 weeks and am so stoked to be able to wear shorts without cringing when I put them on.

Like I said, I'm still a work in progress and this journey has not ended, but it's moments like this that make the hard work feel like it's worth it. I am also contemplating signing up for another half marathon because I do much better when I have a goal in sight to prepare for. I would love to meet up with Lynne to run one this year, but we'll see if it is possible for our schedules to meet. The other girls are doing awesome with their progress and I can not wait until we meet up and are able to post pictures of how great we all look - and feel!

Just wanted you to know...I finally reached the 70lb goal!!! now if i can just stay there then keep going...This is the most recent picture of me...what a coincidence it's one that has my brand new beautiful niece in it! I can't help showing her off!!

Fun Fact - Stacy

No real big news to update. Still trying to get to 70lbs lost, have 4 to go. I did go through my closet this weekend and got rid of 5 big trash bags full of clothes. My closet is empty and I am sad but it def needed to be done. Fun fact though....I can fit in my 9th grade cheer uniform haha!! I really didn't think I was as small (small being relative to my former weight lol) as I was in high school. First I tried on my dress I wore to my high school graduation, yes I still have it, hence the need to clean out the closet, it was actually a little too big. Sadly the main place it was too big was the chest area. Of course the one area of my body I don't have enough of...my boobs are the first to go haha! But thats ok...as long as it keeps coming off everywhere else too. So anyway then I saw the cheer uniform, and it was from the 9th grade and I really thought there was no way it would fit but I thought what the heck, I'll see if I can get it past my thighs. Well I got it all the way and and zipped...shock and awe...now one thing I do know for sure, I am def taller than I was in high school...although the suit zipped it was way shorter than I remember haha! p.s. super horrible picture of a picture off my phone...it was all I had but I thought it was funny enough it needed to be shared!

Update - Amanda

So an update is in need - and a place for me to vent. So the half marathon was a success! I finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 36 minutes and 36 seconds. I ran it at an 11:58 min/mile. So not pro status, but I was very satsified with this accomplishment. I also managed to run the entire thing (other than walking through the water breaks so that I didn't break my arm trying to get the cup.) I did stop to walk around mile 10 but that made me legs feel so heavy that I started running again and didn't stop until the finish line. So this is a huge accomplishment for me. I'm already thinking about running another one before the year end.

But now for the angry part. I have not lost any weight in the past three weeks. In fact I have gained a few pounds. I am feeling completely hopeless and frustrated. I know that people are going to tell me that I'm doing great and I've come so far, and I know this, but I feel like I'm stuck in this hole that I can't get out of it. I managed to do so well thus far and then BAM! A wall that I can't seem to break, climb over, dig under - nada! I feel absolutely disgusted when I look in the mirror and the way I feel about myself. I've tried rearranging my thoughts - knowing that negative thoughts only fuel negative behavior, but it's not working. I have gotten so tired of counting every point that it's making me angry (and the fact that I had to cancel my account at the end of this month because of money issues doesn't help.) I feel more confident in knowing what I should and shouldn't be eating, and I know that I need to get back on track - but that's part of the problem. I'm not divulging in crap, but I can't seem to get it all back on track. I work out like crazy, and won't lose a pound, and I'm so frustrated! I can't even think straight or arrange my thoughts because of the disgust I feel about the whole situation! BLAH! (I am done venting now as I have nothing else to say.)

Update! {Erin}

So my weight loss blog friends..... Amanda, Lynne & Stacy your girls are rocking this weight loss train! I really wish I could report such great news! But unfortunately, the weight is not coming off. It could possibly be due to the fact that I sleep maybe 3-4 hours a night & I stay STRESSED OUT. The way I have always dealt with this lack of sleep & stress is to eat, shop & drink coffee. All three are very very bad habits. Hopefully I can kick a couple of these soon.

I have been making an effort to go to the gym at least 3-4 times a week which is a big change for me. I really enjoy going to the gym, my favorite time to go is in the middle of my favorite tv lineup, that way it is really easy for me to keep going! This week I was not able to go to the gym at all bc I have way to much to complete.

Well now that I have stated all of the negatives, I will leave you with a few positive things I have done. On the business side, I have made a budget & business plan so hopefully soon I will be down to one job! I also attended my first international wedding conference (wppi). And my business is booming more then ever! On the personal side I finished my first 2 5k's in the last 2 months which is something I have never tried but was inspired by all my friends that love to run! I also got two of my friends & roommates to join my gym with me, so they have helped a lot. (thanks girls).

I am thinking I will try a few new things this month... I am going to make my goal to be asleep no latter then 12:30am. Try to stick to and add points for Weight Watchers! Lastly, I am going to try & make at least 1 day this month all about ME!

Hopefully next time I will have amazing news to share! I love you all & thank you for all of your support! Oh and one more thing, I am so excited I have my first coed softball game on Sunday! I just love playing sports! Until next time! Wish me luck......

Weekly Weigh In - Amanda

It's time for a change!

This week I maintained my weight. - Not good, but not bad either. I did decent with my eating this week. I still had 20 of my weekly points left, and I did work out two days. It may not have helped that this week I am beyond tired every day and have been stressed out quite a bit. I also think my body is getting too accustomed to the schedule I have put it on, so it's time to shake things up a bit. I have a long run planned for tomorrow and then the half marathon is next Saturday. I think it's time to change things up a bit and reevaluate my goals and methods to reach them. I have learned, the closer your body gets to your goal weight, the harder it seems to get those remaining pounds off. Well I've had enough of this stuff.

I have been wanting a change in my life, and I think this is something that could definitely use a change, and resulting - the change that I needed to feel better about myself. (How many times can you use change in the same sentence?) I'm off to plan out these next two weeks of revenge. Hoping to update next week and the following week with good news! Here's to CHANGE!