Another Monday

This mornings weigh in brought me a total weight loss of 48.2 lbs, pretty exciting! It'll be exciting to hit the 50 lb mark soon. Although I am skeptical because it seems I always drop a big chunk over the weekend and yo-yo throughout the week lately, I'm hoping that curse has been broken and that I will return to slow small losses throughout the week as well. I am only 5.6 lbs away from my next mini goal (I'll be more open with my actual weight numbers once I get to a lower number). I've been feeling down lately, I'm guessing it's because of lack of sunshine and fresh air, man do I hate Winter in this crappy province we call Alberta. It may also have to do with some family stuff that's been going on as well. Oh life, how fun it can be hey? I've been trying to practice focusing on the positive and facing things one day at a time. It's all I can do right? Well that's it for now, I'll write more soon :)

Making Some Progress Again

I've dropped the ball on my blog and for this I apologize, I've been in quite the funk the last couple of weeks and just haven't felt like doing much of anything to be honest. My weight has been doing this stupid yo-yo thing and that definitely didn't help my mood at all! I can't explain why I feel this way, but I just can't seem to pull myself out of it! HELP!!! LOL I'm at a total weight loss of 45 lbs to date, so I guess I can't be that upset, but I want to see that number continue to grow and grow! I am hoping that I will get to my healthy weight by summer, the great part will be seeing people I haven't seen in awhile and hearing and seeing their reaction to all the changes! I'm also hoping I can gain some self confidence through all this, I want to feel comfortable putting myself out there with guys. I feel like I hold back because I don't want to get hurt, how can someone love me for me if I'm not happy with my appearance and lifestyle??!? They can't! So this year is for me, to find who I truly am and really learn to love myself completely. I am making these healthy changes so I can make the most of this life I've been given and will work my a** off to accomplish the goals I've set for myself! The big one this year is to get healthy, and then also to save a chunk of cash for a down payment on my first place! How exciting right?? Things really seem to be looking up for me, now to just put in the hard work and stay focused on my major goals. Like many I need to learn how to stop spending on impulse buys and really watch my budget to make the most of it. It's going to be a very interesting and exciting year! More to come :)

Heading To My Next Goal

Well I reached my goal before the New Year and now I am focusing on the next 25 lb loss. I have lost a total of 36.8 lbs as of yesterdays weigh in, I am hoping that I will maintain the 20 lbs a month weight loss, which means I have to hit 40 lbs by the 15th of this month, SO doable! My friend has just started the program again so now I'll have someone to go through this all with, kind of nice! Although I think I've been doing fine. I've decided that even though you're supposed to be 100% strict, that I am not going to deprive myself of anything. If I am craving a hot dog I can go buy one and eat a 1/4 of it and get the "craving" out of my system. Otherwise I won't last until the Summer on this program. As long as I keep up with my cardio as often as I can get it in during the week and following the diet for the most part. I must say though, I do find it difficult to eat all the veggies they say to in a day. Currently I am supposed to eat three 8 ounce portions of veggies, which is INSANE!! I never over stuffed my face before starting this so I am not about to start now. I will eat what I feel like when I'm hungry (of the proper foods that is) and not force extras down the hatch.

Everyone always asks me why I think I got to the point I did. Well to be honest eating healthy isn't the most convenient. Nothing is quick, you have to be ahead of the game and always plan your meals instead of simply just grabbing something on the go when you're out and about. I mean there are always salads but when you're starving a salad isn't going to keep you full unless there is some grilled chicken in there. I worked two jobs for almost four years so it wasn't always easy to grab something that was good for me. I tried to bring my lunch and supper and cook myself meals so things were home made but if any of you have worked in a car dealership you know full well that sales people and managers tend to just order in and it's pretty much ALWAYS greasy ass food! I can only blame myself for making poor decisions in what I ate but you don't always make the best choices when you forgot to pack a lunch and are starving. I've spent a lot of time researching the calorie counts for a lot of foods that I used to eat on a regular basis and can really see why I got to the weight I did. You really don't realize how bad some things are until you really look into the nutritional information on it.Thankfully I am a really slow eater and couldn't over-eat all that crappy food I was eating, I just was making the wrong choices in what I did eat. Oh well, I had my major "Ah-hah" moment in life and started my complete life overhaul on November 15, 2011 and I am not looking back. I cannot wait to see the major change in the end, to be able to compare my before and after picture. I do suggest that you take pictures at each one month mark, I am going to be taking my two month picture this coming weekend, it's pretty much the only way you will really see the changes on yourself. I wish I had taken measurements of my entire body because the clinic only takes your waist and your hips. Here are pictures of myself. On the left is a picture I took Dec 22, 2011 when I had lost 26.4 lbs at that point compared to the right picture, which is from Aug 15, 2011.

I think once I see more of a change in my body I might feel more comfortable posting my full body shots (in clothing of course, I'm no slut!!)

I hope that by reading my blog and joining me on my journey to a healthy lifestyle that people can be inspired to try whatever they can to improve their life. Whether it's exercising more, quitting smoking, including more vegetables or fruits in your diet, or improving your mental health. 2012 really seems to be the year that everyone is deciding to make a change! I am loving all the people that I know that are taking steps to better themselves, it makes me feel great to know that I was ahead of the game by starting before the New Year! Just think, I would've been 30 lbs heavier if I had waited until the New Year! I am excited for weigh in tomorrow! I will post another update :) Hope you enjoy and feel free to comment or email me at emurray21@hotmail.com if you have more private questions! Support is the key to being able to succeed in changes like these! And if you enjoy my blog please subscribe!! Have a great day!!

Stressed But Doing Good

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't written much, it's been the holidays so lots of time with family and enjoying some much needed down time! Things are going well with the weight loss, as of Friday (Dec 30th) I was down 30.4 lbs total! How exciting right? I surpassed my mini goal of 28.8 lbs for the new year! I did end up eating some bacon and some scrumptious banana bread over the Christmas break and managed to lose weight. I've also wasn't 100% dedicated between then and New Years eve, but I am gonna be back on the wagon full out starting tomorrow. I haven't gone off the deep end, just a bite here and there from my moms plate for a taste. I am actually quite proud of the progress I made over the holidays considering how much fatty food was surrounding me all the time! I think I did a great job at keeping the "tastes" to a minimum and didn't just completely give up during this time. I also made time to exercise and got myself some sweet new runners and some sports bras on sale! How exciting to boost my continuing healthy lifestyle! I am glad I got a head start on my journey and started way before the New Year. I've been going through some super emotional times in regards to friendships and what not, but I think I'm working through it all and hopefully coming out on top with better relationships. It's hard to go through stuff like this but I'm just hoping it makes the friendships stronger and more resilient. Oh well, that's life right? I head back to work tomorrow again and am not looking forward to it, but am definitely wanting time to fly by! Summer cannot come soon enough, although I'd like time to wait during February long while I enjoy an amazing time in beautiful Banff, and then in May when I venture to Seattle, Washington to visit family! I am so excited for the rest of my life to start! I am excited for all the things I'll feel more confident to do, and all the amazing opportunities that will come up for me! 2012 is my year and I am claiming it now! Life will be what I make of it, if people are going to be supportive they will be in my life, if not, GOOD RIDDANCE! I also will definitely continue writing more in my blog! Please follow me to updates :)