On To Week 10....Our Final Week Of The Challenge

I went back to the first blog post I wrote. It was interesting to read what I had written and how focused, excited and positive I was about this challenge. I am happy to say I have remained focused, excited and positive throughout the past 9 weeks and I know I will not let up before this challenge is over. It has become a quest for me because it is something I have wanted to accomplish for so long! I have become so much better because of this challenge and have met and exceeded the goals I have set. Thanks Kelli for a great 9 weeks and thank you in advance for this last week of the challenge!

Something I did not expect to change is how I write. Journaling (or blogging in this case) has helped me in what words I choose to write and also how I read other's words. Once I post on my blog, I always go back and re-read it. It is amazing that I have gotten to the point when I see that I have written a contraction, I usually change it to the two words it should be. It sounds so much better to me. I know that is a small thing,(possibly crazy to others), but it truly was eye opening for me! I still talk using contractions and write using some, but during these past few weeks I have found the word "I've" does not sound near as good as "I have" or "it's" does not sound as good as "it is." Just now, when I re-read that sentence, I had to change "doesn't" to "does not." I did not expect to learn an English lesson in this challenge!!

PUSH!!

I am very happy with what I have done so far, but I woke up this morning and decided I was going to push myself a little. I will still continue to eat whatever I want (thank goodness I have learned portion control), but I want to at least double the amount of floor exercises I am doing....crunches, leg lifts, etc. I realize we are just about down to the last week, but I have already told Bob I am continuing with most everything from this challenge. I have come too far to let things fall apart now. For one, I realize how important exercise is. I know I have thanked Kelli before, more than once, and I am sure I will thank her again, more than once in the future, for starting this challenge....but THANK YOU, KELLI!!

I'm "Weigh" Happy With How Things Are "Measuring" Up (or down)

First I need to clarify something from my last post. I realize a size Large shirt in a different style other than the one I tried on may have fit me. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of size Large shirts that would still fit.

On my happy note for today. I weighed and measured and am posting the results. Since I started this challenge (Jan. 3rd), I have lost 13.3 pounds. I have lost 2.3/4" in each thigh, 3.1/2" in my waist, 3.1/2" in my hips, 2" in each upper arm and 3.1/2" in my bust.....(I am OK with the bust measurement because I know I am losing inches across my back). We have just over 1 week left for this 10 week challenge so I will weigh and measure one more time in 9 days. This has been so good for me and I know I am becoming healthier!!

Weigh In Tomorrow

Tomorrow I get to weigh and measure again. I'm very excited. Even better than that.....I was at WalMart today (Kohls is right next door but I stayed out of there for now). Just for fun I looked at some shirts that I thought were really cute. I actually (for the first time in probably years) tried on shirts from the Jr. section and they fit! And they weren't even the largest sizes! I tried on one shirt from misses and the Large was too big. I am waiting until we have a steady income before I buy anything new! I am feeling so much better! Seriously....bending over to tie my shoes is effortless now!!!

A New Job!

Things are going well. Bob printed out all 19 forms we needed to fill out and send back to his new employer. That sounds so good doesn't it???? New employer!!! We're thrilled to know Bob has a job again. It will be nice to (every once in a while) go out to eat somewhere besides a fast food place. We have made sure we have no debt except for the house and my car and we are truly blessed by that. I can only imagine how things could have been over the last few months had we been deeply in debt. This experience has certainly taught us a few things and we will do all we can to build up that savings account. We were also very blessed to receive a tax refund that of course went straight to the mortgage but we are glad we had the money to pay it. We know everything happens for a reason. Do we know why we were given this trial? Nope! But we do know we will keep focused and remain positive and support each other 100%.

Possible Plateau???

Could it be I have reached a plateau for a while?? I'm not complaining at all and I have revved up my exercises a bit in hopes of helping. I am weighing the same as I did a few days ago and my thoughts are if I exercise a little more, it may start changing again. I am still feeling good about myself and I'm definitely not getting frustrated.

Oh....the good news is Bob got an offer letter today!!!!

Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out....John Wooden

Keeping Up On The Challenge

We walked the trail today. I carried a rock that Bob said weighed about 6 pounds! Seriously, why does carrying a weight or weights wear you out faster!!! I just think it is ironic that I am striving to lose weight, but have to add more for my cardio. We walked for 39 minutes....Bob added some extra areas for a longer walk so "we could get a good workout!" I will be doing some floor exercises along with my crunches later today. I certainly see the differences in my body and I am liking what I see. I am also liking what I "don't see."