New Target - 21 in 13

I am still 220lbs. Weighed in today as tomorrow  I am going away for a week and I am sure I will be too busy to weigh AND blog.

I've decided on a new target to aim for.

Quite an obvious one at that.

My next target is 199lbs.

Dare I go for a date?

Why the heck not? It works the majority of the time.

21lbs before 4th July.

What a result that would be!!!

That's 13 weeks away and an average of 1.6lbs per week.

It's realistic and doable.

This week will be testing as breakfast and main meals are included in the holiday package but I am going to try and eat healthy and I don't rest on holidays at all. Keeping the kids amused equals a worn out active mummy by the end of the week.

Self Perception.

I have to recommend the following link to every follower out there.

One of my most favourite bloggers left it on my last post and it really is an eye opener:

http://www.curvygirlguide.com/self/women-getting-real-about-weight/

It just goes to show that we are not always seen as we feel.

For a long long time I have been saying that the key to being a successful slimmer is to be honest.

However, there's always been one thing I have skirted around.

I openly say how much weight I have lost but never in this blog have I given out the True Figure on the scales.

At my biggest, 2 weeks after Liams birth, I was 292bs. Yep, I just admitted that. 20 stone 12lbs in English terms.

I am now floating around the 220lbs mark. That's 15 stone 10lbs.

In 18 months I have lost almost 25% of my body weight.

I would like to get to around 160lbs.

Weight has always been an issue.

Never in my adult life have I been below 215lbs.

I am close to getting to my lowest weight.

I am getting close to beating my personal best!

And trust me, I intend to do it before the end of this month.

Of course, all you have is my word for it.

So, I've dug out some pictures.

I particularly HATE this one: February 2009!

James is about 3 months old in this picture and I had just discovered I was pregnant again:

This is one of the very pictures I have of myself with Liam. Minutes after birth in September 2009.  (Look at the width of my arm!!!!)

A year later, September 2010 (at around 235lbs with less chins) and I am being photographed on holiday. I went a long time without being photographed. Or if I was, I would edit the photo to show as little of me as possible. That is beginning to change.

Come back soon for an up to date picture since I cannot do it myself and require oldest Son to come home from school and take a  pic of me. :)

I Keep Forgetting Titles On My Posts Since I Can't Think Of Good Titles To Put

I never feel sorry for myself for long.

I know my shape is changing, my clothes feel bigger, I feel more toned and I feel muscles in places I never felt before. I say it to other bloggers often enough, but I know that deep down I need time for my body to adjust like everyone else. It just feels wrong when I worked so hard last week, But we're all human and have those weeks.

Part of feeling happier is that my BMI is down another point since I last checked. I am happy with that.

Today I did a waist to hip ratio test and was happy with the following result:

Your waist to hip ratio is 0.717 which is below the recommended maximum of 0.85 for a woman. Well done, keep your weight down and take regular exercise to remain at a low risk of heart disease.

I don't know how low the scale goes but I am perfectly within healthy limits.

I also did some measurements that I've never recorded before and they were all better than I thought.

Also I checked back on my old records. I am 30lbs lighter than I was this time last year and most ASTONISHINGLY is that I am 4lbs less than I was on the eve of my wedding. Progress has been made and I will be continuing to see how much things can change.

Not So Happy.

Don't you just hate those weeks where you pull out all the stops, put your all in and your scales stay the same!!!!

I'm a little disappointed since I tried so hard this week.

I did put in all the extra and made my exercise routine harder so my only consolation is that maybe I've greatly improved muscle tone which could prevent a weight loss since muscle weighs more than water/fat.

Or it could be last weekend coming back to bite me on the bum. I wasn't expecting a 2lb loss last week but it happened.

Maybe my scales are having a bad day and not me. (still ever hopeful me!!! wink)
However, being a little disappointed is not the same as being disheartened.

It's a new day, a new week and a new go at things.

Here we go again.

Fitness Plan

Yesterday was as follows:

6.40am  - 40 minutes cardio*
8.30am  - 50 minutes school run - moderate walking pace with double buggy
2.50pm  - 40 minutes school run - moderate walking pace with double buggy
6.00pm  - 40 minutes walk the dog
                  7 minutes run with the dog

Total      = 177 minutes

Cals burned** = 1600 approx

It's been close to this since Monday, the workouts only started Wednesday when hubby went back to work.

Already, after just 3 days I am increasing the total time I am running in a block.

I am noticing it already.

I am feeling rather proud of myself on this.

I am looking forward to my evening taking the dog for a walk and running home as much as I can.

I sleep well.

On the downside:

1. I am exhausted and in bed most days by 10pm at the latest. I still have the kids and normal house duties to do all day so I am feeling it. I don't know how working mums do it and try to keep fit on top.

2. I need new trainers. Not that this is strictly a downside. I love shopping, even if it is for trainers.  Mine have seen better days and have certainly been put through thier paces over the past few months, this week especially.

*Cardio/aerobics is normally done nearer 11am rather 7am, but yesterday was a day of coffee with a friend so I didn't want to find an excuse to miss it. Excuses are always there if you want them. I'm using my time wisely and trying to keep strong with my choices.

**Cals burned based on my weight thanks to http://www.healthdiscovery.net/links/calculators/calorie_calculator.htm

Weekend Away A Photo Entry

After a lovely weekend break the kids are full of coughs and runny noses. That's the thing when kids mix with kids. Playgroups, schools and holiday parks are breeding grounds for bugs.

The boys were up early every day so the nights entertainments were a little restricted but in all we all had a lovely time.

Matthew got to do a little football practice:

He was in his element. He still lives and breathes football. He just seems to be grown up already at times.

James and Liam got to play on the toddler rides in a little area based around Bob The Builder.

James particularly loves the car rides. He is into his cars more than anything. Liam liked going along for the ride too. They both make me laugh so much.

They also loved the flying aeroplane ride. 

The soft play area and ball pool never fail to impress.

Feeding times always provide a laugh

We also seem to hit it lucky when it comes to the weather when we go away.

I keep reminding myself that I have come back from a mini break 2 weeks before my main holiday, weighing 1lb less than I wanted to be when I went away. The next 2 weeks will be interesting to see how low I can be before my target time comes round.

5lbs below the original target would be wonderful. In real terms, it's 25% further than planned so it would be a big achievement.

Hubby is back at work after 9 days off so I can be back on the proper meals I was before and do the same amount of exercise again. And there will be no more meals out for a while so I feel alot more confident with the weightloss again. I can be back to my old routines in no time and that will help in all fields.

Speaking of fields, I've started running! In small stops and starts but it's something different. I also walk the dog at least once a day for a good 45 minutes (This on top of 2 x 40 minute school runs) and try to do 0 minutes plus of aerobic exercise. Phew! The weight will hopefully drop off. With the dog I try to do 2/3 walk to 1/3 running over the 45 minute period. It's all a work in progress. Once I lose the weight I can run easier (Anything above a D Cup girls makes running that little bit harder - trust me but it's one area I wouldn't mind keeping some padding. haha), and I can run longer, more often and more confidently.

Better Late Than Never

Today is Monday and weigh is normally Saturday but we did get those couple of days away as planned.

And the big news is.....

2lb OFF!

That makes me a grand total of 21lb down in 2011.  I have added an additional ticker for the next 20lbs.

Small steps make big changes.

Smaller goals compared to the whole shebang makes it feel more attainable.

So, next goal, 1lb down - 19 to go.

A Change Can Do You Good

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest they say. Well, I had my rest when I had the eczema problem, this week I am trying something new.

I am doing PROPER aerobics/dance. Not something I have concocted myself but something I found on Youtube. I do like this man called Paul Eugene. I've never heard of him until today when I was searching for aerobics. I do like his workouts.

I've done 3 today. (copied Youtube 3 x 9 minute clips)

I feel fabulous for it. It's fun and it has worked up a real good sweat and I can feel my muscles have worked. Just what I needed. The exercise bike is more of a leisure ride lately so it's good to have a change of tempo and get on with it.

Anyway, have a look. I don't know how he compares to other fitness people (Jillian Michaels lost me at the pressups) but this is what I have been doing this morning.