Marriage

Well, guess what happened? I got married and I stopped caring. For a few months anyway... However, I just gave myself a wakeup call. There is no way I am going to let myself go back to my old weight. I want to have confidence in my body! So, with shame, but with honesty, I can say that I've gained about 8 pounds back since my last post. Yes, I'm mad at myself, but I can only do better. I think my main obstacle as a Southern woman is that I consider food a hobby when it should really be sustenance.

And my accountability partner can no longer be Amy...:-( I'm living with my husband, Adam, who has been wonderful at being a motivator! He motivates me to go work out with him when I get home from work. I'm not doing morning workouts anymore because for some reason, my body cannot move at 5:00 am anymore!

Anyways, yes, I've had a setback, but I'm back on track now! Below are my stats.

Starting weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 170 pounds
Weight loss to date: 20 pounds
Approximate goal weight: Anywhere between 130-135

I weigh again on Friday, so I'll be posting if there's any new news! I wouldn't be surprised if not much changes this week since I just started back on the diet yesterday! Say prayers!

I'm baaacckk!

Good morning! I know that by this time you've been thinking I've given up. And to be honest, I wasn't the perfect picture of weight loss this summer. Since we get summer break, I no longer had my rountine. I traveled alot, which was SO fun, but it's bad for a person who needs depends on a routine to eat right. So I gained about 5 five pounds over the summer. I'm kinda mad at myself for doing it, but what can I do now? I am glad that although it isn't ideal, it was only 5 pounds. And guess what? I've already lost 3 of those summer pounds! So, as far as I'm concerned, I'm back on track.

I also have a little more incentive now. Why? This summer I got engaged to one of the most amazing guys on the planet! The wedding date is set for December 31 and I'm going to literally work my butt off to be at or near my ideal weight of 130/135 pounds by then! So, here's the update:

Starting weight: 190 pounds
Weight loss so far: 28 pounds
Weight loss the past two weeks: 3 pounds
Current weight: 162 pounds
Approximate goal weight: 130/135 pounds

Please, please be praying for me. It's a long process that is going to be SO worth it in the long run!

XOXO
-K

Coming Clean

Okay so here's the deal. I do have a weight loss update. I haven't posted over the course of the past several weeks because, I'll be honest, it's been a battle. I had some weight changes- some negative, some positive. However, one of my fears is that when the "losing weight" part of the process is over and I'm working to maintain my goal weight, I'll lose focus and gain it all back. Over the past several weeks, I have unintentionally seen my ability to maintain. I gained a little a couple weeks ago. I was definitely not happy about it, but what can you do? If I get mad and stress myself out about it, guess what I'll start craving? Chocolate. And large amounts of it. So instead of letting a 1 or 2 pound weight gain get me down, I used it as motivation to do better the next week. You can't dwell on what you've done. Instead, focus on what you need to do in the future. So, after a very difficult week full of temptation (I went to Red Lobster AND PF Changs this week- AHHHH!- My survival secrets are below!), I have battled back into the game. I am now at a point to confidently tell all of you where I am and where I need to be- the actual numbers. My prayer is that not only will this be an extra motivation to keep going, it will be a complete picture of honesty about what I'm going through. I'm ashamed I EVER let myself get as unhealthy as I did. But I am joyful about all of the exciting changes I'm going through in my journey to be a healthier person. So here it is. The NUMBERS:

Starting weight: 190 pounds (technically 186 because of the scale glitch, but it was too late to change it)
Weight loss so far: 29.2 pounds
Current weight: 160.8 pounds
Approximate goal weight: 130-ish pounds (It's kind of up in the air, I don't want to get to that "unhealthy" skinny, but after some research, I'm thinking my goal weight will be in the 130s.

So there it is, folks. I feel a little vulnerable now, but it's also refreshing to be totally and completely honest. I know many of you are trying to do the same thing I am and I pray I can be an encouragement to you. All of you who comment and encourage me are definitely blessing my life and keeping me going!

As promised, I feel the need to share some restaurant survival tips because that is probably everyone's biggest struggle. The first thing to know is that it really is possible to go to a place like Red Lobster and eat a wonderful, delicious, and healthy meal. Here are my go-to meals at some wonderful restaurants:

Red Lobster: Create your own feast choose any two entree- Garlic grilled shrimp and Steamed snow crab legs, side of broccoli and ask for the rice pilaf instead of the salad (the dressings will get ya!)
McCalister's: Fire Roasted vegetable soup OR Broccoli and Cheese soup in a bread bowl- the bread is actually not that bad for you!
On the Border: The Chicken Tortilla soup is AMAZING! If you're afraid of overdoing it on the chips, pace yourself, go more for the salsa than the cheese dip, AND think about getting the soup in a cup instead of a bowl, so you'll have more room for their delicious chips! Their black beans are also really good. Sometimes I just order them by themselves and make a meal out of chips, salsa, and black beans.
Chili's: STAY AWAY FROM THE FRIED THINGS! You don't even wanna know how bad those Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas are for you. If you don't have a heart attack after looking at the nutrition facts, you will after you eat them. Grilled things like the Margarita Grilled Chicken are MUUUCHHH better!

And although your heart might be aching for one of those decadent chocolate desserts on the dessert menu, skip it. Instead, go to your local grocery store and grab some of these:

They're actually 4 points on WW now due to the new PointsPlus system, but they will give you your chocolate fix without the guilt. AND, they are really, truly good- I promise! There's also Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Fudge Brownie, and Chocolate Turtle available!

This is officially my longest post ever, but I guess I'm making up for a few weeks' absence! Keep praying!

For His glory,

K

Weight update

Hi there! Don't worry, I haven't fallen off the wagon! Today is the last day of school, and I have been scrambling around like crazy trying to make sure everything gets done! I haven't done too well with the workouts lately, but I have still been doing my best to eat healthy! I went to the doctor last week and talked to her about my weight loss. She was a fan of WeightWatchers and told me that working out actually helps motivate better eating, so if I'm feeling unmotivated or having a bad week, I need to up my workouts for motivation. Okay, so here's this week's totals!

Total weight loss goal: 60 pounds
Weight loss this week: 2 . 6 pounds
Weight loss so far: 28 pounds
Weight loss to go: 32 pounds

As you can see, I'm almost to the halfway mark! It's crazy to think I've lost that many pounds and yet I'm still not where I need to be! It's just a good reminder about how far I let myself go. I'm getting very close to coming clean about the specific weight I came from and what weight I'm at now. Maybe next weigh day I'll make the big reveal! :-)

For His glory,
K

25 pounds later!

Hello, my much-needed encouragers! I'm not dead and I haven't given up! I promise! The past couple of weeks have been gradual, but still successful! First of all, this week's weigh-in was a milestone: I'm officially 25 pounds lighter! I am so excited!!! Sooooo:

Total weight loss goal: 60 pounds
Weight loss over the past couple of weeks: 4.4 pounds
Weight loss so far: 26 pounds
Weight loss to go: 34 pounds

If you've been keeping track, I've modified my total weight loss goal. I decided that my ideal weight needs to be a little higher. No, I'm not trying to make it easier on myself- I'm just making sure that I stay healthy!

I bought a new scale too! It isn't one of the "dial" ones. It's battery-powered so my weight is shown more accurately! And get this: it even saves your weight and shows how much you've lost since the last time you weighed- legit.

Aren't Amy's pics amazing?!? I'm so proud of her- of both of us! I don't think I could do this without her! Or any of you for that matter! Encouraging words mean more than you know and keep praying!

For His glory,
K

feelings & pick-chaasss

Well, I told you all I would post some pictures. So I finally got the courage to do it. Let me explain to you my feelings today...

Before this process, I was always self concious about how I looked all the time. I'm pretty sure this just comes with being a woman. I wouldn't beat myself up over how I looked. I was actually pretty healthy. Low cholestrol. Good blood pressure. But I just felt like I had to go the extra mile to feel good about how I looked that day. I know you shouldn't find your self-worth in the way you look or what other people think of you. I'm well aware of that. But as a woman, you are built with insecurity. It's what you do with that insecurity that matters. So sure, I put on a good front. You might have thought that I had no problem with the way I looked. But on the inside I was shouting out how awful I looked. Or at least how awful I felt.

Through this process, I feel better. I feel like going out for a walk. I actually feel like getting up to work out....some mornings. I feel lighter. I feel like I could do things I've never done before. It's also the little things that have really been pointed out to me. It's so much easier to bend over? It's so much easier to even get out of bed (even though that's still the hardest part of my day! lol)

What I really just wanted to say is that though there may not be that much of a physical difference, there is a total inward difference. I feel so much better. I am genuinely happy about doing this. Of course it gets really hard at times. But through those times, I have to tell myself. "This is all worth it in the long run. Do this while you are young. While you don't have kids. While you don't have a husband to care for. You have to care for yourself before you can be able to care for anyone else."

So....here are a few before pictures:

And here is a "during the process" picture:

The pics are slightly fuzzy....but it's the best I could do for now :)

I truly hope that through this process, Kate and I can inspire just one person to jump on the health train. If it's 100 people, that's awesome. But even if it's just that one person, I would be thrilled. And if not...well that's ok. Because I'm not really doing this for other people, I'm doing it for myself and for my family, current and future.

Peace & love,
A

wow-zers

I'm officially the WORST weight-loss blogger of all mankind. I send out my deepest apologies.

Here's the deal....these past two months or so have been bumpy. I never gained any weight. But I wasn't eating the best and wasn't consistently working out. Therefore I've lost only three pounds since the last time I've checked in. But hey, anything not gained but lost is amazing. So I'm not beating myself up over it.

Here's my info so far:
Weight loss goal: 50 lbs
Weight lost so far: 13 lbs
Weight left to lose: 37 lbs

Here's what I've learned so far:
• Make small goals. Sure my overall weight loss goal is 50 lbs...but setting smaller, more frequent goals is so much easier. I've set 10 lb increment goals for myself. I've lost 10 lbs. Now I'm on my way to losing another 10.
• Food is my ultimate weakness. For real. If you put a plate of cheese fries & a bowl of salad in front of me, obviously I would be screeeaaammmiinnnggg for the cheese fries. And it would take someone practically yelling at me to actually choose the salad. "IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE LONG RUN, AMY!!!"
• Surround yourself with encouraging people. You know those people in your friends & family that are your super encouragers. When you've done something good, like lose a pound or two, only tell those people you KNOW are going to be genuinely happy for you. You might think this is cheating. "But you already know they're going to be happy for you regardless?" Sure. That might be true. If if I've learned anything, it's that I thrive off of words of encouragement!! When I notice that people are proud of me, it makes me want to work that much harder. So of course I'm only going to share with people that I know will support me in whatever I do. It makes it that much easier for you to want to do better! And no one likes to be brought down after having a great moment!!
• Portions. Portions. Portions. You can pretty much eat whatever you want. But you have to look at your portions. If you eat too much of a good thing, it can end up being bad for you. So if you really wanna eat that piece of cake, eat a much smaller piece than you normally would. Even if that takes all the will-power you have in you. Trust me. You'll thank yourself later.

Once again, I'm sorry about not keeping you all updated. I will try my very best to be better at this! Also....as much as I don't want to, I will probably be posting some "before" and "so far" pictures like Kate did! [doesn't she look amazing???]

Peace & love,
A

Before and During pics- Slow and steady

Yes, it has been awhile, and it is getting tough, but I'm still working hard. As promised, I have some before and during (I refuse to say after because I am nowhere near done!) pics! But first:


Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight loss this week: 2 pounds
Weight loss so far: 22 pounds
Weight loss to go: 40 pounds


Now for the pictures! I should have taken an official "before" pic, but I think I was just too ashamed of how I looked to even do it! So, I had to dig on facebook for a photo that would show how I looked before losing weight. This before pic was taken in August of last year, but it definitely shows where I was at the beginning of all of this.                  

It's hard to see changes in just day to day stuff, but I can look at these two pictures and see some changes! How encouraging! Keep praying!

For His glory,

K                                                                               

Long overdue weigh day!

Okay folks! It's been around 2-3 weeks since I last officially weighed in. I didn't expect to really lose anything over spring break, so this weight loss is kind of an accumulation over around three weeks:

Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight loss over the past 3 weeks: 3 pounds
Weight loss so far: 20 pounds
Weight loss to go: 42 pounds

If you didn't notice, I've officially lost 20 pounds! I can really tell a difference now and I am so excited! Amy and I took a break on the workouts this week to try to get over the California to Arkansas jet lag, but we'll be picking it back up next week! I'm sorry our blogs are few and far between lately. I think our deal is that we don't really want to bore you with daily updates. We'd rather get you results!

I'm kinda mad at myself for not taking a "before" pic, but I'm sure I can find a suitable one. I'll try to put up some pics soon! Love all of you!

For His glory,
K

Spring BREAK

Well, I have NOT fallen off the wagon. Spring break was a time full of fun and enjoying time with my mom in California. Amy and I did not count every weightwatchers point that week, but we definitely did not lose everything we've worked for! I haven't weighed in the past couple of weeks, but I plan on picking it back up this Sunday. The encouraging thing is that my weight loss outlook is so much better than it has been other times I've tried to lose weight. I understand that getting healthy is not a quick thing. It's a process and it takes discipline. However, when you have a tough week, beating yourself up only discourages you. Instead, you have to go "Yeah, I didn't do so well, but I am going to do better next week!" It sounds lame, but it really does help me!

More updates coming soon. Spring break just kinda got me out of the habit of blogging. I'll be back in action now! :-)

For His glory,
K

Plateaus

Yikes! I've been a little blog inactive lately. I'm terrible at blogging period. But I apologize for not staying on top of keeping everyone informed.
Last week I did not really lose any weight. The weekend kinda brought me down. It's okay though! I haven't fallen off the wagon. It's just making me work that much harder this week! I can already tell that this week is going better than last week! Just know that just because I hit a plateau one week doesn't mean I have given up. So don't give up on me either!
Lately, my stumbling block has been eating. Quantity not so much anymore, but quality gets me. I have a terrible sweet tooth! Please be praying. Encouragement is so appreciated!

For His glory,
K

beef. its what's for dinner.

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted last! Life gets too crazy!

I want to share with you a couple of recipes! It's actually what Kate and I had for dinner tonight!

Cheeseburger & Fry casserole

Here's what you need:

1 lb lean ground beef

1 onion [if it's a large onion, only use half]

1 can reduced fat cream of mushroom

1 can cheddar cheese soup

frozen french fries [we chose seasoned]

[these aren't all the ingredients...I started cooking before I took pictures]

Directions:

Brown the ground beef and add onions. 

[if you you need to drain, drain after everything is cooked]

Add cans of mushroom & cheddar soup.

Stir together.

Spread out the beef/mushroom/cheddar mixture into a pan

Add frozen french fries on top

Use french fry directions on how long to bake and at what temperature

Finished product!!

If you are doing Weight Watchers, it makes 6 servings and each serving is 7 points.

Now onto dessert....

Kate has mentioned that we like to make the "coke" cakes. Here's our favorite one so far:

Red Velvet

Here's what you need:

1 box of red velvet cake mix

12 oz of Diet Dr. Pepper

1 tub of lite cool whip

Mix together the cake mix and DDP

Bake with the directions on the box for what temp and how long

Let the cake cool and spread the cool whip on top.

This cake is SO SO SO good!!!

Hope you all enjoy the recipes!

P.S. I've lost one more pound! Making it 11 lbs total! AND I've been getting comments that people can tell I've been losing weight. That is so dang encouraging you just don't even know!!! Keep up the prayers, folks! These work outs and my will power aren't getting any better!!

Peace & love,

A

Another weigh day!

Another week has gone by and pounds have been lost! Here's the update:

Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight loss this week: 3 pounds
Weight loss so far: 17 pounds
Weight loss to go: 45 pounds

I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it is to see the pounds come off every week! Keep up the prayers-getting those workouts has been a struggle lately!

For his glory,
K

Food, food, food, food...

Good grief. Have these past few weeks flown by for anyone else? I feel like we just started this whole thing, and we are really making some progress! So exciting! Good news: I've lost another 2 pounds! I have had people start making some comments about looking a little skinnier, which is such an encouragement. It's hard to notice myself because it's such a gradual change. Some pants are fitting a little looser though! Yay! Here's a stats update:

Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight loss this week: 2 pounds
Weight loss total: 14 pounds
Weight loss to go: 48 pounds


I watched a McDonald's commercial the other day and felt a small twinge of craving. Those quarter pounders with cheese and some salty fries are just fabulous. However, I'm finding out that there really are good tasting, healthy foods out there. I have found new loves in sushi, turkey or grilled chicken wraps, and grilled or steamed seafood (Red Lobster's steamed crab legs anyone?!?). I have also discovered healthy snacks that help my salty tooth and my sweet tooth. I am LOVING sea salted roasted almonds! Life changing... Pimento stuffed green olives are another favorite. As for my sweet tooth, Amy and I are discovering more and more weightwatchers cakes:
-Chocolate cake mix and a can of Diet Coke
-Lemon cake mix and a can of Diet Mountain Dew
-Red velvet cake mix with a can of Diet Dr. Pepper (my favorite!)
Just mix then together and bake! You can also frost them with a container of fat free whipped cream. We're loving exploring all of the options!

Praise the Lord for progress!
For His glory, Kate

It's a GREAT Friday!

Good news all around:

First and foremost - I'VE LOST 10 LBS TOTAL!!!! I am so freaking stoked. Secondly, I get to see some of my very best friends this weekend! Thirdly, Miss OBU is this weekend!

HOW AMAZING IS TODAY?!?!

So here is my update:
Weight loss goal: 50 lbs
Weight lost so far: 10 lbs
Weight left to lose: 40 lbs

10 lbs in one month is great progress, I think!! It averages about 2 . 5 lbs per week. I would say that's a pretty healthy weight.

Here's even MORE good news:
You don't have to kill yourself at the gym or starve yourself to lose weight. Kate and I have been spending 30 minutes a day, 5 days of the week working out. Honestly, I walk a mile and use some of the machines. My thinking is, I'm not in any rush to lose this weight. I don't have to lose 60 lbs in a summer. I'm not setting any time limits. And I think that might be the best way. Changing your diet is a complete life style change. If you can make yourself start healthier habits, you WILL lose weight. I promise!

Just remember to start small. Don't completely change your diet in one week. Don't go from eating cheeseburgers to dry lettuce. Your body will hate you. Just slowly start making healthier choices and sooner or later you will get into the habit of eating better. So next time at the drive thru, don't order the cheeseburger. Maybe order the grilled chicken sandwich w/o the mayo. Instead of getting french fries, get a side salad. It's the little things that make a big difference.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement!! This weight loss is going to motivate me, but it's really you guys that keep us going!!

Peace & love,
A

I'm still here!

I know- I've been a very bad blogger lately!
I have a new enemy: Teacher Appreciation Week. Monday through Thursday last week these fantastic ladies brought all kinds of goodies to the teachers' lounge. One could not enter that room without taking a bit of the heavenly goodness! I worked very, very hard to "graze not gorge." I still should not have eaten half of what I did- not to mention, Grandma made me biscuits with chocolate gravy this morning (my weakness). So, as you can tell, food is the struggle. When I get out of my routine, I have to be extra careful with what kinds of foods I put in my body. Workouts, however, have been my strong point. I managed to wake up at 4:50 am every single day last week and do around thirty minutes of exercise. I walk 3/4 of a mile on an incline and jog 1/4 of a mile flat. I do ab workouts daily and then alternate legs and arms every other day. This week, I'm going to up the jogging: 1/2 mile walking on an incline and 1/2 mile jogging flat.

Sunday has come and gone, but I weighed this afternoon and was incredibly surprised to see that I had still lost 2 pounds in spite of my feelings of failure! For those of you keeping up:

Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight lost this week: 2 pounds
Weight loss total: 12 pounds
Weight loss to go: 50 pounds


Now that I know my weakness, I know that this is where my prayer needs to be focused: Self control. I would appreciate your prayers on this. Thank you so much for giving us such strong accountability by being involved in this with us. Just knowing that people are looking at this blog keeps us going!

For His glory,
K

17 short days

Well everybody.. it's officially been two weeks (and two days) since I've started this new change. I told myself in the beginning that when two weeks hit and I hadn't "cheated" on my diet, that I would reward myself with a day of shopping. When I started, I thought "two weeks is going to take forever." Well the two week mark hit and I didn't even realize it til two days later! That's a great thing. & I just so happen to be going to El Dorado this weekend to go shopping with my sister! So I WILL be rewarding myself this weekend. Can't decide if I'm going to reward myself with clothes or food yet... to be determined.

Surprisingly, I've been enjoying all of this. I'm all about projects. I'm always looking for some new project to start on. And this is my project. And if you don't know me, when I come up with a project or idea, I take it and run with it. I'm fully committed to that project. So I think I've gone about this in the right way.

Weight Watchers has made this journey so much easier. There are so many resources it provides you with. It's the easiest diet to go on. Obviously, I highly recommend it.

Pleeeaaasseeee continue to pray for Kate and me. This week has been one of the hardest weeks to get my bum out of bed and go work out. I need more motivation and more energy.

Peace & love,
A

good morning!

Well good morning everyone!!

Kate and I started up our 5 a.m. work outs this morning. I think this morning was the hardest morning so far to actually get up and out of bed. I had a pretty hectic weekend, so I was exhausted. But I pushed through, got up and we worked out.

I officially signed up for Weight Watchers this morning. I found that counting calories was exhausting and Weight Watchers is so user-friendly. I'm hoping this will work out better than the calorie thing. There's more to work with when doing Weight Watchers. There are lots of recipes to use.

Pleeease pray for me this week. There will be lots going on. So pray that I can keep focused on my plan.

Peace & love,
A

hollerrr

Good news! I've lost 5 lbs!! WOOP WOOP!! I'm stoked. Some of you might think 5 lbs isn't a big deal. But it's 5 lbs closer to my weight goal!

Weight loss goal: 50 lbs
Weight lost so far: 5 lbs
Weight left to lose: 45 lbs

This is going to motivate me to do even better this coming week!

These past couple of days has been a true test to my plan. With snow days, eating out and not having time to work out, I've been struggling a little bit. But thankfully, I still chose options that were healthy. Maybe not the best choices for the beginning of my journey, but it could have been worse!

Tomorrow we'll be back to our 5:00 a.m. workouts. Please continue to pray for us as it's probably not going to get any easier this week.

Peace & love,
A

Weigh day #2!

Okay so here's the deal. My wonderfully perceptive boyfriend noticed a glitch in my bathroom scale yesterday. With no weight on it, the scale shows 4 pounds. So, with his help, the scale has been fixed and I have lost four pounds with no effort at all! In addition to the 4 "lost" pounds, I lost an additional 2 pounds on my own. So, if we're being technical, I lost 6 pounds this week, but actually only lost two pounds off my body. That being said, here's the stats for the week:


Total weight loss goal: 62 pounds
Weight lost so far: 10 pounds (including the broken scale weight loss)
Weight loss to go: 52 pounds


Keep up the prayers!

For His glory,
K