Moving Right Along....

Wanted to start off by saying how great everyone has been in verbally supporting my journey. Very grateful to hear all of the positive comments... keep em coming! :)

It's been a few months now since my very first visit to the University of Michigan as part of this program. June 1st being the initial meeting before the research portion began. Since that day, I'm proud to say I've lost a total of 24 lbs. While it's a slower pace than what I would have liked, I'm VERY happy with those results. I looked up what weighs 24 lbs and now I want ice cream. <3

This program is a LOT harder than I could have imagined. Drink 5 shakes a day and now I'm able to add in 2 cups of non starchy veggies. That is just crazy to me. I believe I have some will power but this has just been insane. You don't realize how much you think about food until you basically can't have any... ever. Between prepping meals, eating, thinking about what you're going to make for dinner and cleaning up dishes... Not doing any of that is pretty bizarre. I'll admit, I am having food here and there so I feel like a normal person. 95% of the time, that food is a good choice. :) 

When attending events such as weddings and parties, I'm indulging but in a good way. Definitely appreciating the food a lot more and not going too nuts. Just realizing that is not how you can eat ever meal every day. 

This past week I started to go to the gym more regularly; taking a few spin classes before work. WOW, that is VERY HARD. I enjoy taking myself out of my comfort zone every once and a while and it definitely worked. During my first class, I remember thinking at one point, that I couldn't go ANY longer. I looked up at the clock and had literally been in there about 13 minutes of a 60 minute class. Needless to say I made it the hour and lived to tell you all about it. It was one of the hardest things I've done in a while but definitely be back. It's a killer 60 minute work out! 

My next appointment is on Sept 21st and look forward to seeing the results! After that I do some traveling for work and fun... all about staying on track. 

Thanks again everyone! 

LBS LOST: 24

Back in the game... and scared as ever.

Boy... when I saw the date that I last posted it almost made me cry. That was a LONG time ago but I guess you have to start somewhere.

It's July 2015 and I'm right around the same weight I was when I started in the beginning of 2013. That is a slap in the face but at least I'm not up a lot of lbs. I did gain back what I had lost this go round in 2013, but am ready to take this on.

I recently started the weight management program at University of Michigan. It's a two year program that is for people that want to lose a lot of weight; which I do. The program consists of 12 weeks of meal replacements (Optifast shakes) and then you transition into foods. This program is heavily monitored by Dr.s and Dietitians. I have to give blood and make sure all of my vitamin and blood sugar levels are good to go. When taking my original blood work it was apparent that I needed to take a Vitamin D supplement. I take an OTC (over the counter) as well as prescription; my levels were extremely low.

I actually have to take a supplement for my gallbladder as well; I guess that the dramatic change to the diet can really take a toll on a gallbladder. I am not going to pretend I even know what the gallbladder does. Looking that up now.... Wow. No gallstones please.

As part of the program I'm also participating in the research part. This part was pretty interesting....

My first appointment was a bod pod & exercise test. This was an interesting day to say the least. The bod pod machine looks like a space ship... funny stuff. Doing this gives you your exact body composition (BMI, body fat, lean fat). Numbers were shocking to say the least. Seeing that your body is made up than slightly less than 50% fat is ALARMING... I knew it was bad but geez.  How I have to look at this.... is I'll have some great numbers to compare my "after" information to. I won't just know how much weight I've lost, but how much body fat I've shed and lean mass I've gained.
This is what the weird bod pod test looked like.

I took this test on June 11th. During the duration of the research I'll take this three times total. I do it after I go off of the meal replacement shakes (this takes approximately 12 weeks) and then again after the two year program is over. I'll share my differences when those appointments take place. #letsdothis

Another test I did was to test my bone density (DEXA). Takes this measurement by using a low dose x-ray machine. VERY strange seeing your full skeleton x-ray. Thought it was pretty sweet. I was happy to see that my bone density is fantastic and good for my age.

This machine also told me how much mass each of my body parts was. This, not so happy about. I carry a lot of my weight in my stomach which is terrible. Time to get rid of it... Very hard picture to share but I need to get over that now.

After all of these appointments, I was then able to start the MRP (meal replacement plan). I have four shakes and one soup (or five shakes) a day. This is an 800 calorie a day plan for the first 12 weeks and it is going to be VERY hard for me to do. The shakes don't taste bad really, it's the fact that I won't be chewing food for about three months. That seems impossible. Seriously... impossible.

I've been reading blogs, social media posts, watching youtube videos and chat rooms for any type of support that I can find w/ others that are doing this program. There is a LOT out there to find; I'm so grateful. Wanted to see if anyone was struggling and how they coped with it if they did. I read a log of: just have grilled chicken in your fridge, keep spinach on hand. It's important that if you do snack, that what you eat isn't a carb, and no calories. Sounds like some great snacks to me. :) haha

I'm three days in and I did eat some food at a golf outing I was at the other day. Other than that, I've just drank shakes and sipped on soup. Sounds exciting I know.

I made them take some "before" pictures at my appointment... Here's to being positive that in a few weeks I can report some pretty dramatic weight loss.

The dreaded plateau....

Yikes - has it really been almost 2 months since I blogged last? Told myself to blog the next time I had a 10 lb weight loss; lets just say I thought it would be much sooner than this.

The biggest set back was my relapse on cutting out soda in the evenings. I know it's terrible for you in general but I'm not going to be unrealistic in saying I'm quitting drinking Diet Pepsi because that's just not going to happen. It keeps me up at night and getting more sleep is SO NECESSARY! Once I got back on track there it seemed to be much easier.

Another weakness of mine that I don't like to admit is alcohol... I enjoy beer; plain and simple. Empty calories suck and the next day I feel guilty. I'm also going to be realistic in the sense that I'm not stopping drinking - I do need to cut back though. :)

View of the mountains in Colorado - trip out to see my very good friend Mandy! Beer.... yum....

Summer time is approaching and JB and I will be planting quite the garden; so pumped for that. The veggies that have been available at my local store just haven't had the flavor that makes you "want" to have a salad with every meal. No flavor, super expensive, and not worth the effort it takes to make the salad frankly. I cannot wait for some fresh tomatoes and zucchini; neither can my bank account. 

I've been feeling pretty good lately, getting stronger, believing that I can actually do this. :) Training for the mini sprint triathlon (1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike, 1.5 mile run) next month may kill me. I'm realizing now how far 10 miles is; good lord what was I thinking. Wish me luck on that one people... I'm going to need it. 

 First "race"... I'm freaking out...

One final thing... My brother Bob and sister in law Heidi are the new parents of a fantastically beautiful completely kissable baby boy; Nolan Andrew Boone. He is the man! I've been trying to visit them as much as possible lately since they are going back to Ohio soon. When Aunt Katie comes over it sometimes turns into romper room very quickly; my thoughts are this is a great source of exercise so I should keep it up indefinitely. :) 

Love this little man!

GO TIGERS!

Weight loss since last post: 11.1

Total weight loss: 31.1

How many points is a bowl of shut the hell up???

So two months in... and still pumped as ever to keep it up. I thought by now I would be back stopping for fast food 4 times a week because it's just easier... but in fact I'm still doing pretty good. 

I'm sure I'm driving JB CRAZY talking about Weight Watcher Points, foods that I bought, and workout routines. I'm waiting for him to ask me "How many points is a bowl of shut the hell up?" He is being awesome along w/ everyone else. I was worried about people asking me how things were going and not being able to have good news. It's a good motivator. If you ask me and I give you the death stare... just walk away would be my words of advice.... just walk away. :) I won't make this blog about my relationship... but check out the awesome plant I got for Valentine's Day!!!!

What I am finding is the most important thing is............. BREAKFAST! I have never been much for breakfast. Not that I don't like breakfast foods, just not fond of eating right away in the morning. So all those doctors and nutritional specialists were right? Breakfast is a good thing? Who woulda thought? Eating breakfast has helped me not make bad choices at lunch because I'm not starving like I used to be. Eating a boiled egg along w/ some yogurt and berries curbs the appetite until lunch so I only want a sandwich or salad. Two months ago I'd be running down to the cafeteria and grabbing anything I could not to be so hungry. (I will admit that I had nachos today and they were fantastic :)  

Pinterest has been a real asset in learning some new workout routines, awesome calorie friendly recipes, and success stories that I could read for days. I plan on being one of those about a year from now. :)

New favorite snack that isn't 250 calories a serving - POP CHIPS! More specifically... Sour Cream and Onion Pop Chips. 22 chips for 3 points (Weight Watcher speak) is FANTASTIC! Pair these w/ some hummus and I have my new favorite snack.

Another great thing I am eating for dinner that has a lot of protein and low in points (3 per) is these awesome chicken sausages. Very flavor full and filling. I don't eat it w/ a bun or anything - simply dip in mustard. I'm a big fan. That w/ some b-sprouts and mushrooms and I have a 3 point dinner. Lets be honest... I'll have 2 sausages to make it 6. :)

I can finally tell that I've lost a few pounds so that is helping me keep on track. First few weeks were hard; you see pounds come off on the scale but I didn't look or feel any different; that has changed now! ON MY WAY!

Thank you everyone for the kind words about my blog. I'll try and post more often but been pretty busy! Last weekend went up to JB's parents farm and loaded wood for 2 days. Best workout ever - don't tell him though or he will want me to go back and do more. hehehe ;)

ON MY WAY!!!!

Weight loss since last post: 11.4

Total weight loss: 20 LBS!!!! (seriously... I can't believe it myself!)

It's been too long!

Wow... it has been a LONG time since my last post. I'll try to not let that happen again.

I have to say I have been more successful in these first few weeks than I though I would be. Cut out about 75% of my soda consumption which in my world is HUGE. I'm to the point now that if it's not the kind of soda I like, I will pass it up all together and go for the water. I know this sounds like no big deal, but it's a big change for me. I've noticed that I don't snack as much and that is a very good thing. :)

Besides going to the gym a few times a week, I've been doing some Jillian tapes at home (she is a bi*ch but gives a great workout) as well as doing some yoga in front of the television. I can feel my muscles getting stronger as it's easier to balance on some of the moves and can hold the poses longer. My most hated and loved exercise these days are planks. For those of you who know them... you know how great they are for an entire body workout, but you also know how much they hurt. :) I force myself to do them for 60 seconds each 5 times a day. I spread them out few in morning and few in evening. I hate them... but I do love them too.

Found my new favorite place last weekend. Jeremy, Bob and myself went w/ the kids to Kensington Metropark! I vow that this will be my new hangout when... I don't know... it's not 1000 degrees below zero. All the trails, water, and bike paths... I am IN! I know there are parks closer but I really liked this park and the birds were eating right out of the kids hands. I wanted nothing to do w/ that as I am not the biggest fan of birds; they freak me out a little bit actually. Carter kept saying "their feet feel weird"! It was so cute. That is Autumn below while a feathery creature eats out of her hand.

We started a Biggest Loser challenge at work this past week and it will go into April. We are in teams of 4 (purely for moral support) and you go by % lost. I'm hoping to do well in this challenge and stay focused. I need all the help I can get. Also there is money involved and when it comes to money I stay somewhat competitive.

Also, this week started the new session of the "Butts and Guts" exercise class at NSF. Let me tell you... this class was 4 days ago now and I still feel it in my hamstrings EVERY time I get up or walk up and down stairs. I know that if it hurts it is doing some good... but DAM! I am SO SORE! I hae a feeling that I will be sore still when I go to this weeks class; promise I will go though.

Until next time......

Progress since last post: -7.2 (been a while since I have posted)
Total: -8.6

Week one done! Merry Christmas everyone!

Week one went better than expected as it's the week before Christmas. Very limited snacks, drank the least amount of Diet Pepsi in years, and made sure to do some form of exercise every day.

Something I've also been trying to do daily is read someones success story. Very inspiring. It helps to read what others did, tips, new exercises I can do while watching tv (I'm addicted to TV as well). :)

Recently purchased some resistance bands and LOVE them. Can't believe how sore those things can make you and very quickly. I'm using one tonight while watching my FAVORITE Bond movie Casino Royal; Daniel Craig rules. Easing into working out I'm finding to be helpful. Every time I've told myself that I was going to start working out I go nuts for like 2 weeks and then give up. Going to hit the gym tomorrow along w/ everyone else in Washtenaw County I'm sure. I foresee myself having multiple drinks on Christmas day so I want to prepare for that!

Was able to get about 99% of my Christmas shopping done over the past few days; and wrapped them all tonight!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Week one results = -1.4

Water please...

Lovely time of the year to try and turn down treats. Chocolate and Christmas pretty much go together in my brain; guess that is a problem. :)

Drinking water has been a major thing for me. I have a slight addiction to diet Pepsi and the caffeine is keeping me up at night; moral of the story is I need to drink more water. A lot more! I got a funky fresh new water bottle and even went through the week w/ out getting one soda from the cafeteria at work. 

Between the reading up on eating right and Susan the Weight Watchers lady I am realizing that I need to sleep more. I average on most nights between 6-7 hours sleep; I need more than that. I'm hoping to get that all under control over the Christmas break. So excited for some more time off work. Vacation in the tropics was great... real great. But I want some time at home to get some things done!

I joined Planet Fitness gym in Ypsi. It's pretty cheap and has all the stuff I need. Funny thing today when I went, they were celebrating so many members or something random, and they had a table full of cupcakes to take. Really? Over hear trying to sweat and I can smell fricking butter cream icing. Nice. Needless to say it was easy to turn one down while sweating. I wish that was the only place that would offer me a cupcake. :)

In no way am I saying that I will be turning down all Christmas snacks... just have to go to the gym 2 times longer over the next few weeks. 

I got this...

KB