What weighs 70 lbs?

After hitting the magic 70 lbs lost marker last night I have been on a quest to find things that weigh 70 lbs, to assist my brain in visualizing what is now gone from my body. Some are hilarious...others kind of gross, but please enjoy a list of things that weigh 70 lbs with me.

This anchor...if you are feeling deep, there is a great analogy here.....wait for it......ahhh!

Seventy lbs of hash...or has Jay would call it, "the stickiest of the icky." Not really sure what that means, and I don't think he really does either.

Nicole Riche...although word on the street is she is up to like 90-something now. EAT A BURGER!

These punching bags each weigh 70 lbs....I'd like to smack my fat around every once and a while...wait that sounded dirty! lol
This one was just funny to me...the shipping weight of this "toilet" was 70 lbs. Toilet....really? Isn't that just pvc pipe, some mesh, and a bucket on wheels?!?

There are apparently people out there who purposefully add 70 lbs to their body....this is the apparatus that would help you do that. WTF? I don't get the concept?

And lastly...this huge fucking fish is 70 lbs!!! NASTY!

I hope you have enjoyed this illustration of "Things that weigh 70 lbs!"

Teri

6 Months...that's half of a year people!!!

Last week I celebrated my 6th month on the HMR program with a 2.2 lb loss. This was a very satisfying loss as the past few weeks have been fairly light losses that could have been gains had I not stopped off at the bathroom before jumping on the scale! :) While I am still suffering from "fat brain" (e.i. where you don't see the physical changes that are happening and you still see yourself as fat), more than 1 person yesterday said that they didn't even recognize me! It's strange to hear comments like that, but nice at the same time. I'm hoping someday soon my brain catches up with my body so I can really see the change in my body.

In the last week, Jay and I made the trip down to Arizona to see his parents who are renting a home in Surprise. The weekend was full of sun, fun, and lots of wedding talk! One of my favorite things, was a lemon tree that they had growing in their back yard. I am trying to figure out a way to grow one in our house, as I don't think that tree could handle the midwest weather!

Another activity we took part in was the NASCAR Fresh Fit 600!!! I couldn't believe how fun it was to embrace my white trash roots! After seeing some of the patrons, I will say that we were on the classy end of the white trash spectrum. All I can say is WOW! I wanted to take some covert pics but didn't know what would happen if they caught me...and I have a strong fear of toothless strangers rubbing their B.O. and hair grease on me so I chose to save my photography for the grand stands!

Vickie enjoying a drink, and me enjoying a Diet Coke...YUM!

The boys sporting their Dale Jr. Gear.

Jay and I tailgating before the big race. He hates my aviator sunglasses so I wear them all the time!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

I am not one to say this, but Jaimie Oliver is a truly amazing person with a great mission. If you have 20 minutes, his acceptance speech for his TED award is great and gives you just a glimps of what he is trying to do here in the U.S. Or, if you are availabe Friday nights 9/8 central (which I am sadly because I have no life), check out his show "Food Revolution" on ABC. It's amazing what we don't know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwrV5e6fMY

25%...GONE!!!

What is 25% of 254.6 you might ask? Well, quite literally it is 63.7-ish, but for me it is a new life.

A few weeks ago, after a weigh-in, I noticed that had lost 25% of my total body weight since starting the HMR program! Twenty-one weeks....just over 5 months....has completely changed me. If you would have asked me how well I thought I would do in less than 6 months, I don't know that I could have looked you in the eye and told you that a forth of my body would be gone. I have never been on an "easy" diet, and I won't lie to you and say that HRM has been easy, but it definitely hasn't been as difficult as any other diet I have been on....and there have been plenty!!!

Currently, I am struggling with the lack of variety. Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few entrees to choose from and you can create some great meals by adding fruits and vegetables, but I personally only like about 6 of the entrees, and I believe I have attempted every veggie combination imaginable!!! The point is, while it can be challenging a times, I am still losing weight which is the overall goal.

My mind has been recently leaning towards going into "maitenance" or the newly-named "phase-two" of the program. While many people still lose weight in this phase, it is more about re-educating yourself on how to eat and what to eat. The program consists of reintroducing lean proteins, whole grains, and low fat dairy back into your diet. I am going to stick it out in phase one for a bit longer, but this is going to be my next step....or I may die of a carrot overdose!

UPDATE: Insanity Workout

Just a quick note to say that I started the Insanity workout yesterday, and it is exactly that...INSANE! I can barely walk today and I am afraid for disc 2!!! If I can actually make it through this 60-day program I am positive that my body will change....pain only makes you stronger, right....RIGHT????

Wish me luck...I will need it!

Recent Shopping Trips

Engagement Photo Shoot Outfit:

I was lucky enough to have my maid of honor and best friend, Laurie, visit me in Omaha a few weeks back. She flew in from D.C. for a whirlwind weekend of wedding planning. Saturday we went to a local bridal store to find her bridesmaid dress, which we did successfully. We also ventured to Archiver's (AKA the scariest place on earth) where we befriended one of employees who offered to assist me in my invitation-making (SCORE!). We scoped out some bachelorette venues and had a salsa party that night. Not dancing...actual salsa. I have to take pleasure in the condiments I am allowed to eat!!!

Sunday we ran a few errands including looking for an outfit for my upcoming engagement photo shoot with Jay. I am still shopping at Lane Bryant, but am almost out of the plus sizes. With Laurie's expertise, I was able to put together a unique outfit to wear in May when we take our photos.

Thanks Laurie for all of your help!!! It was great seeing you!

SWIMMING SUIT SEASON!!!:

I know we're not there yet, as Omaha still has snow on the ground, but Jay and I will be in sunny Arizona in less than a month to visit his parents. My stomach as been in knots of anxiety due to the looming trip to find a swimming suit. This is a task that I have avoided at all cost, and I was not looking forward to it at all. I know I have lost weight, but I have NEVER looked good in a swimming suit and I probably never will. The only reason I am putting myself through this torture is because Jay broke my last swimming suit (that I bought in 2004!) when we were in Vegas last fall. Mind you, that swimming suit was entirely black...the color that hides all!!! Let's face it...I will never been wearing a bikini but I needed something to get me through. I refused to spend a lot of money, and did not want to try anything on so my purchase decision was made as we were going from the electronics section to the cosmetics in Target. I grabbed the one suit I could find that would cover me and didn't look like a Hawaiian acid trip, and I shoved it in my cart.

I'm going to apologize because I know this is not a Sports Illustrated level photo op, and I am most DEFINITELY not a super model, but I'm putting it out there because it's progress...plain and simple. I would have NEVER dared to post a picture of me in my swimming suit before, and while I still see the cottage cheese in my legs, it's only going to get better from here. Bring it on summer!

Under 200!!!!

Yesterday was a proud day for me. While it came one week later that I would have liked, I was officially under 200 lbs at my weigh-in last night! I know being in the 100's doesn't make me skinny, but it has been 10 years since I have been here so I'm celebrating!!! Not with the standard Bacardi w/ Diet Coke, but instead I chowed down on two Benefit Bars!!! Kind of sad!

The reason I had hoped to be under the big 2-0-0 last week was because I was spending the weekend in TRF attempting to find a wedding dress. I wasn't quite there, but I was successful! Below is a picture of the dress I chose. What is super suprising to me is that when I look at this picture...I don't have a lot of things to be critical of! Thinking of how different the experience would have been had I tried on dresses 4 months ago is crazy. I'm sure I wouldn't have fit into half of the dresses, and viewing the pictures probably would have brought tears to my eyes because of all the flaws I would have seen. There is still work to be done, but I am so happy with the results I have had thus far, and look forward to seeing how much more I can lose!