Plateaus Are The Worst!

Why does losing weight have to be so hard? I did so awesome during my challenge with my sister-in-law but this current challenge is harder for some reason. I'm down a little over 4 pounds, which is nothing to scoff at but it seems like no matter how hard I work out or how much I watch my calories, the weight just doesn't want to come off.

I'm trying to tell myself that I'm actually building some muscle, and maybe part of that is true, but I'm not sure that's it. I've done fairly well with getting up in the morning to work out (not 100% mind you) but I've been pretty consistent. I get at least 30 minutes in at a time. And I've been pretty good about sticking to my calorie count. I'm not doing anything different than I did during my first challenge. If anything, I've stepped it up. So why is it that when I step on the scale, the number doesn't move? It's so frustrating!

I'm sure stress doesn't help and I've had more than my fair share of it these past few weeks between work and children with ear infections and bad attitudes. Don't get me wrong...I'm happy with the fact that I've lost over 14 pounds since the end of August. I'm just feeling a little defeated, particularly this last week.

I've got two more weeks in my challenge with my brother and I need to get past this plateau. If anyone has any tips or tricks to get my body kick started again, I would love to hear them. I can't let him win!

Wednesday = Whining, Workouts, and Wine

Today has been a bit of a challenge. Getting up this morning about killed me. I was snuggled in all cozy in a super deep sleep when my stupid alarm clock chimed in to remind me, "oh yeah, you vowed to get up early to work out". I just read that in my head with a super whiny/bitchy tone. It accurately describes how I was feeling.

Then, my workout was interrupted twice. Once because the dog didn't come when I called him. Nor did he come the next 10 times that I called him. I discovered him still snuggled in bed. What an ass! Then I had to go potty. I gave up my workout after 25 minutes. Today, that will have to be good enough.

The kicker was getting a call at 10:30 this morning to tell me that Keegan was running a fever of 102. I tried to call Glenn as I had a full schedule but to no avail. Cancel said meetings, get him a doctor's appointment, and lo and behold, ear infection! Poor little guy. He's holding up pretty well despite everything but I can tell he's miserable. He actually snuggled with me before he fell asleep. That's pretty rare these days as he only does one thing and that's move...fast. Hopefully some antibiotics and a good night's sleep will make everything all better. If not, mommy's always got wine!

Mornings Will Never Be My Friend

I managed to drag my butt out of bed for my first workout this morning. It was not pretty. I don't think my eyes cleared until well into my workout. Perhaps the sweat dripping down into them helped.

I did Tae Bo. It was exhausting. But as I sit here in my sweaty clothes drinking a big glass of water, I'm reminded that I did it. I got up, got my butt downstairs, and completed a 30 minute workout. And now I'm done for the day. I can come home from work and enjoy my evening with my family.

Mornings may not be my friend but they will definitely make my nights more enjoyable.

New Me November

November is here and bringing a few challenges (all positive!) with it. But I'll get to that in a minute.

My baby celebrated his first Halloween, which prompted me to realize that 21 days from today, he will turn 1. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Last Halloween I was running up and down the stairs handing out candy. I was 9 months pregnant. This year was much better!

 

 

My other baby decided to be a ninja turtle this year. Specifically, the red one. He made it almost an hour trick or treating before the cold got the best of him. He spent the rest of the night helping me hand out candy. Glenn Jackson believes in giving out handfuls so luckily we don't have much left. I'd be a goner if we need.

 



I, for one, am looking forward to what November will bring. As you know, I'm in a competition with my brother to see who can lose the most amount of weight by November 26. I've heard rumors that he's exercising (what???), which means I'm kickin'er down starting now. Starting Monday, I am committing to waking up at 5:30/5:45 every weekday morning to get my work out in. If you know me, you'd know that this challenge might kill me. I loves me some sleep.

Glenn and I are also committed to meal planning, which should hopefully help us from making 12 trips to Target in a week. Today we planned out what we're eating for the next two weeks, made our grocery list, and actually stuck to it. I was so impressed with myself! I also made pita chips, roasted three batches of pumpkin seeds, and made some chocolate chip cookies. Rowan insisted on the cookies as he felt he needed to also "cook".

Only 27 days to Thanksgiving, which means only 28 days to Black Friday shopping. Ahh, my favorite shopping day of the year! I can't wait!

Oh Happy Day!

It is indeed a happy day. I stepped on my scale this morning and lo and behold, I am officially under 200 pounds! I haven't been here since December 2012. I. Am. Ecstatic!

I am now two weeks into my competition with my brother and I'm down 4 pounds. Six more pounds in the next four weeks seems like a lot of pull off but I'm going to do my very best. I just need to give away the 12 pounds of candy we have sitting in a bucket ready for the trick or treaters and I'll be good. Why is Halloween candy so tempting?!?!

Friday I'm allowing myself a cheat day. Glenn and I both took the day off work and are going to do a day date. We can barely remember the last time we went to a movie that a) wasn't a kid movie and b) we went to together. I'll definitely take an app and tap and a movie over work!

Next week I hope to report that another one to two pounds have hit the bricks. Wish me luck!

Operation: Beat the Brother Has Commenced

Last Wednesday evening my brother and I kicked off our official weight-loss competition. We are competing for 6 weeks with the final weigh in taking place the night before Thanksgiving. We figured that way we could enjoy the holiday and all of the glorious offerings it will bring. Like pie. And cheesecake. Maybe a little ham. And more pie.

So far I'm down 1.2 pounds from my starting weight. Ideally I would like to lose another 10 pounds from where I was following my competition with my sister-in-law but I'll take whatever I can get. I just need to lose enough to beat my brother. The loser of the competition has to take the other person's kids for a weekend. I would love to take Noah and Emma for a weekend but I would love it even more if Rowan and Keegan got to spend some time in Iowa. My sister-in-law is on my side as she really wants my kids for a weekend. Either way, it will be fun.

I've kicked started my workouts and am back to counting calories. I gave myself a bit of a break between competitions and not once did I feel guilty about it. Despite not keeping track, I didn't gain any weight back, which is awesome. The farther I go, the more I learn about my body. For instance, I am very dependent on protein but am not real good about getting my daily allowance. You'd think I would for all of the chicken I consume. Thank goodness for orange crème protein powder, the breakfast of champions.

Just over 5 weeks to go before my brother must bow down to the weight loss champ. Wish me luck!

Competition Results Are In!

The day has finally arrived. My final weigh in with my sister-in-law. I wasn't nervous because I know I've been making progress but I still wanted to pull out a good number. And a good number it was!

In seven weeks, Kate lost 1.3% of her body weight and I lost 4.1%. I lost 9 pounds, according to my mother-in-law's scale. And that makes me the official winner of our competition! Woot woot!!

Now if you go by my scale and what I weighed yesterday when I was sans clothes, I'm actually down 11 pounds. It's amazing how much clothes weigh. But 9 or 11 pounds, it doesn't really matter. What matters is that I lost weight and I feel amazing.

I am proud of both of us. We went into this competition with the intent of dropping some pounds (check!), but I'm leaving with more energy, a lot of pride, and a huge sense of accomplishment. A huge thank you to Kate for pushing me to do this!

I'm on a roll and not stopping anytime soon. October 15 starts my competition with my brother. Whoever loses the highest percentage of weight loss by November 26 is declared the winner. We're purposely weighing in before Thanksgiving so we can enjoy the day. Loser has to take the other person's kids for a weekend. In actuality, it's a win for either one of us. Our kids love spending time together. I think Rowan is hoping I lose so that Noah can come to his house.

Through my sister-in-law, I've heard that my brother hopes I like my niece and nephew's company. Well of course I do. And to him I say "Bring it". I don't think he realizes what he's gotten himself into.