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!

Making the Heartland Proud

Below is a link to a spot on our local Fox station about the HMR program I am on, and how it came to be in Omaha. Enjoy!

Dr. Weight Loss

Insanity 60-Day Total Body Conditioning Program

So...today I made the executive decision to order a workout DVD. My only other experience with workout DVD's was in college when I ordered Power 90. I had some success with this program, but didn't give it 100% and thus was not "ripped in 90 days." The video I ordered today is from the same company as Power 90, but is called INSANITY. I'm pretty sure I have lost my mind because personal trainers are giving reviews stating that this is the hardest cardio program they have ever seen. The video is full of people squatting, jumping and doing push-ups in a puddle of thier own sweat. I might die, but I figured this is the perfect time to test my physical and mental stamina! It should be arriving in the next week or so. I will keep you posted!

Quickly approaching the big 5-0!

I am two weeks into the second chapter of my weigh loss journey, and as of last night my total weight loss was at 49.5! I am one bowel movement away from hitting 50 lbs...how crazy (and disgusting) is that?

This past week has been such a motivating week for me. Many of my co-workers have given me compliments and I actually was able to encourage a woman who came into the weight management bldg to join. She was very hesitant, and had the same look of self-doubt that I once had. When she asked how much I had lost in 14 weeks and I told her 47.7 lbs (this was prior to my weigh-in) her jaw dropped and she told me that she loved me! haha! She immediately changed her attitude and said that she was going to join and she was going to lose the weight too!

So many changes have occurred in the last few months and it is crazy how losing weight can seriously change your entire life. I remember always dreaming of wearing a beautiful wedding dress, but worried about having to find one that would hide all my flaws. I am now looking forward to trying on all the different styles and picking out the perfect dress, and not worrying about my weight. Or at least, not as much! I am pumped to buy a swimming suit for our honeymoon to Jamaica....THAT has NEVER happened! I may even by 2 or 3!

While I don't think my personality has changed one bit, I do think my outlook has. I was never Debbie-Depression, but I did get down on myself from time to time. I have realized that I am in control of my health, if nothing else. I have the power to change the way I look and feel, and I don't have any more excuses. And believe me...I had more excuses than I would like to admit!

Long story short, I am almost 50 lbs down, and I know that I will look back on this post in the next months and be even further along! More to come...