Weight Ticker Update

I've updated my weight ticker. I'm down 2.2 pounds this week. Also, I posted pictures of a typical good food day on my blog for anyone who is interested in what I'm eating.

I've earned my next star from the Y!

I got my yellow star today, yippee!! I know, I sound like a little kid. But hey, you gotta work for these puppies. The first two stars you have to accumulate 15,000 fit points for each. And the next level, I'm not certain. Lisa, you could probably tell me how many points you need for the red star. Anyhow, I'm encouraged. I've been running my hiney off preparing for my first race on Saturday.

Some Good News

So I pulled a pair of size 16 jeans out of my drawer. I didn't expect to be able to zip them up, but I wanted to see how far I had to go before they would fit, and,...


They zipped up easily!

I should tell you that they are the stretchy kind of jeans with a little give to them, and they fit snugly, but it's better than I expected, and I wanted to share that with you all.

Moving forward

Good morning ladies!

After reading this weeks posts, it seems as if everyone is doing well and moving forward with their personal goals. I just wanted to check in with everyone and let you know I'm still hanging around. I just don't get the opportunity to post everyday (more like once a week). For the past few weeks I had no new news. So frustrating! The scale just wasn't moving. So this past week I made a few tweaks to my diet and exercise routine and I lost 3 pounds! Yippee for me! I am only 3 pounds away from losing all the weight I gained back over the holidays at the end of 2006. I'm so thankful to be moving forward again. Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Elica, I am so glad that you are riding again and that things are looking up in your life. God is so good and faithful ( I've kept you and your family in prayer). Kristina, congrats on your race you are running. What an achievement! I couldn't possibly think about running around the block let alone a 5k race! Look how far you have come in your health. You are such an inspiration! Jules, You are simply beautiful and so inspiring. I am so glad that you had a day just to pamper yourself, you deserve it. To everyone else, keep fighting the good fight. We are all becoming healthier women 2, 3, 4 pounds at a time. We will make our goals and become the women we see ourselves to be. Have a uplifting and successful week!
Smiles,
Kimiko

Sheeee's BAAAACCCCKKK!

Hello!

Yes, yes, yes....you've managed to live just fine and lose weight just fine without my encouraging words, but did you know that while I was MIA YOU all encouraged ME?

Some of you know the big changes in our lives and I'll admit that some of this weight has come off from sheer stress. But - I have also started riding again, I walk Tues/Thurs for at least an hour and I've been happily seeing a little more room in my jeans.

In fact - YESTERDAY - I WORE MY 'SKINNY JEANS'~!

Stepping on the scale this morning gave me a smile. 153.5

That's a full TEN LBS BABY!

I only have 16 to go.

Wish me luck, love and endurance!

Elicia

I've registered for my FIRST race!

, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

Next Saturday I'll be lacing up my tennies, and meeting my dad to run my first race ever. Well, minus all of the sprints that I did as a teenanger...
Anyhow, I've signed up to run a 5k. I'm not feeling brave enough to try a 10k like Lisa yet. But I'm excited. This is a big deal for me. Remember, I'm the girl a little over a year ago that got winded, just by walking up a set of stairs!

I'm Thuper, Thankth for Athking!

No, I have no idea about the title. It just came out. Some people write creatively, others write like Daffy Duck, and there's just no getting around that sometimes.

After more than several weeks of general funk, I am hereby declaring that I will BREAK OUT and simply GET OVER IT already! No more slacking! No more whining! No more pity of any sort! Just good old fashioned get-in-gear.

To that end, I'm running a 10K this weekend. I re-upped for my Monday evening racquetball group, I'm playing tennis in a regular Thursday night game and a Saturday morning class, and I'm going to think of more activities to get me out of the Y (where, to be honest, I'm a little bored at the moment) and into the sunshine.

Any additional suggestions will be most welcome.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Binging on the weekend and then repenting during the week is apparently not the most effective way to lose weight, so I'll be rethinking that particular strategy. I updated my weight ticker today. I only lost a little over half a pound. It's my goal to lose two pounds a week. Considering I lost over three pounds a week two weeks in a row, I'm still ahead of my goal schedule, but I can do better.

I have to stop flirting with pizza. Pizza is a fickle lover anyway.

Pizza, I will always love you, but we have to stop seeing each other for a while. I can't change who you are, and I don't want to do that. Until I change myself we can't even be friends. You have so many other lovers, I know you won't even miss me, but I'll miss you. Goodbye.

Living and doing much better...Thanks.

I had a GREAT day. Took care of myself in these ways:

1. Haircut
2. Chiropractor
3. Ate well: Calories: 1593
4. Took vitamins
5. Had two servings of Udo's Oil (Omega 3-6-9)
6. Drank 8 glasses of water (plus plan to have 2 cups of herbal tea before bed)
7. Worked out at the Y, 35 min. on elliptical, 15 min. on treadmill, stretching
8. Faced the truth with a morning weigh in. (stop the denial and the over exaggerated emotional worry)
9. Visualized myself in summer attire, realizing that I have time to make a difference in what size suit I buy in June.
10. Reminded myself that I am at point B, not point A where it all began...I have walked a long road and have not been zapped back to the past by small indiscretions.
11. Put on a heart of gratitude for the body God has given me.
12. Had a "kick butt" attitude at the Y while working out, jamming to Hall and Oats on my Ipod, feeling pretty and fit and proud of myself.
13. I journalled. Everything.
14. I read Oliver Twist to my kids today and had a great home school time with all 5 of them. I felt like I connected with them all.
15. I read all of your post comments and took them to heart and felt the love and support of you dear ones.
16. I ate sushi. Yum.
17. I carried on and on and on, posting way too much on my blog.
18. And I plan on kissing my husband and all my children goodnight and soaking in their love. Really feeling it, not just going through the routine, for we don't know what tomorrow might bring us, do we? We must live today, unfettered by the past and unburdened by the future.

Love to you all.
Jules

I need some fresh inspiration.

Hey all, ring leader here admitting to all you faithfuls that I need a little rekindling of the fire. I feel like I am too consumed with what my next meal is or what my next "safe" treat might be or what I can "get away with" today and still fit into my size 10's. I have lost a bit of the edge. I don't want to wake up somewhere in time, in the land of the expanding waist size.

Thanks...Jules

Here I Am -- Stay Tuned For Shrinkage

I wanted to show the difference 9 days and four pounds could make in my appearance, but the angles are different in each shot and I actually look a little bigger in the 2nd photos, but I'm not. If you look reeeeally close you can see that my jeans are a bit looser and my belly roll is a bit smaller. I weigh 234.2 in the photos on the left and I weigh 230.4 in the photos on the right. (I don't know why the pictures keep disappearing. The html code shows them, but they go away. hmmm. I'll try uploading a different way.)

I tried something new!

spin, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

I did a spinning class yesterday, and lived to tell about it. : )
I don't normally ride a bike while working out, in fact, it's rather rare these days. So why in the heck I did it yesterday, my rear end would REALLY like to know. It is still sore, from over 24 hours ago.
I thought I'd give it one more try next week, before I completely write it off. It was pretty fun, HARD, but fun. If only my rear wasn't so sore.There's a core training class, very similar to pilates right after the spinning class, I'm going to try that too. My, aren't I feeling adventuresome?!

Still trying to get better

Hi there,
Sorry I have been out of commission, so to speak. I am still having quite a bit of trouble with my back and have not been to the Y for a total of 16 days now,WOW. I didn't even know that it has been that long until I just figured it out. On Monday my husband had to take me to the Dr. for another shot in my back. I still feel a little stiff and I am still on Ibu. and muscle relaxers. I am also looking for a spine specialist that takes DSHS insurance. My chances are slim to none. If anyone out there knows any doc for backs as far as Seattle (maybe a little further) I would really appreciate the info. Anyway I hope to get back SSLLOOWWLLYY to the Y by next week. Please pray for my speedy recovery. Also my journaling and eating habits are doing well. I have been doing crafts and reading a lot more than usual because of the can't really leave the house much, thing. Talk to you all soon.

THE Best Cure for a PIZZA Craving

I've incorporated a one day a week blow-the-diet-meal into my weight loss plan, which I usually spend on date night Fridays with my husband. I've had a craving for pizza this week, though, and yesterday I almost ordered some for dinner. I resisted, but thought about it again this morning,...until I weighed myself.

I'm down another 3.4 pounds in just a week, and that has motivated me to pass on the fattening take-out pizza. I think I will take care of the craving, and still stick to my plan by getting some take-n-bake pizza instead. I remembered what I did with my pizza cravings a few years ago when I lost weight. I scrape off a bunch of the cheese, remove the pepperoni, and replace it with grilled chicken breast and pineapple chunks. I don't miss the extra cheese, and I quiet that pizza craving without totally blowing my healthy eating streak.

I will also limit myself to only 2 pieces, and have a salad on the side. That's a biggie for me, but if I decide ahead of time that that's what I'll do it's easier. I will also sit down and enjoy every single bite instead of chowing down in front of the TV or computer. Usually pizza nights are an every-man-for-himself occasion in our house, but I think we'll make it a regular family dinner tonight. I tend to not overeat that way.

Hi Ladies

I'm sorry that I've been MIA. I wound up getting sick last Friday with a huge sinus infection and then finally going to the doctor on Monday night. Got some antibiotics (first time I've ever had to take them) and today, I'm feeling a lot better and more human. So needless to say, I haven't had much of an appetite. I thought I was doing good to get down some 100% apple juice and then the past 2 days, 1 cup of chicken broth (it's only 10 calories...geez).

I have more of an appetite today so I guess that's the good thing. The bad thing is that I need to go grocery shopping because my shopping day is Monday. I need fresh fruit/veggies. I can't believe it but I'm actually craving them :0) I would've never thought that I'd be craving them if you'd asked me when I started last November. I'm also missing my daily walks. They're so energizing and freeing.

I just started Phase 4 of Prism. I'm choosing to go only by inches right now (until I get a little closer to where I want to be). But, this last phase, I lost 6 3/4 inches (27 1/2" total since I started).

Welcome Ana and great to hear that your meetings are going so good Julie. Although, I'm not surprised because you and your stories were always a huge inspiration to me too.

Kimiko, that's so great that you were able to stop yourself and see that it wasn't worth it. Also nice to have someone so close to you following along. It definitely does make you more accountable.

In the Lion's Den

I learned tonight in Daniel, we want to practice a holy habit (prayer of thanksgiving) long enough that it becomes the old pattern (instead of a critical spirit, depression).

I hope to practice my new eating habit long enough it becomes what I do especially in times of emergency. Lord, I want you to help me change my old pattern and become new in you.

This year is going to be my year, I feel God's deliverence in every aspect of my life.
Alleluiah, grace like rain is falling down on me...
Ana

I've lifted over one million pounds this year!!

weights, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

Today I broke the 1,000,000 pound mark for weights lifted this year! Yippee! 1,023,000 to be exact. I ran for 4 1/2 miles, and I'm feeling fit and fabulous. : )

Group update!

Well, ladies, I told the curious that I would update you on my "home version" of the Prism program and the extension of this blog...I have had three ladies walking their first phase. The first gal lost 15.4 lbs and over 15 inches, the second gal lost 29.5 lbs. and over 15 in. and the third gal has not yet weighed in, so we will find out next week how she is tracking. So, I have 3 in phase 2 and two new gals who are just entering phase 1. Pray for all of these ladies. They are so full of hope and enthusiasm and great attitudes, I know they will be successes at whatever they put their hearts to. Pray for me, also, that I will continue to guide these women and have the right advice to give. It is hard to describe the joy that comes from seeing lives changed as a result of my own life....incredible and so humbling. As for me, I am tracking right along after my Maui trip and I have been back to the Y now 2 out of the last 3 days. I am determined to take my weight loss journey to the next level. WhooHooo!

Love to you all.
Jules

A little about me

Hello Ladies,
Thank you for the welcome. I just started officially
with PRISM this week. After having my son 5 yrs
ago, I have been having difficulty losing the 60 lbs.
I have tried Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins,
low calorie, just exercise, and pills. What I like
about PRISM is that it includes the spiritual side
of the weight issue as well as journaling. I look
forward to being a part of this blog and learning
from all of you ladies. Thanks again for the
welcome. I love how much you all love the Lord.
Ana

Renewed every morning

Thank you Kimiko for the post about your weekend. I have been beating myself up for a binge on SUnday. THat is the only way to describe it. I ate and ate and ate and none of it was good for me. I am trying to figure out what triggered it. Maybe missing church Sunday morning, maybe harmones, maybe fatigue. I do know I did not spend as much time with the Lord this weekend as I need in order to keep the eating demon away.

Father, I confess I turned to food this weekend instead of you. Forgive my neglect of you this weekend. You are the only one that can fill the longing in my soul. YOu are the only one who reaches down into the deapest part of me and loves me anyway. Thank you for your unconditional love that does not remember it anymore. Amen.

Today I am eating right and in control and not eating when I am not hungry. I am going to the gym at 4. I have planned three balanced meals. I am writing down my food choices.

I love you gals.

This weekend

Ok I admit it, this weekend was a bust for me. I was a bottomless pit (that time of the month). I am not going to continue in my binge state. Today is a new day and I will seize it! To success this week, may we all acheive it even in the smallest of ways. Have a great week ladies.
Smiles,
Kimiko

I Begin

Thank you so much for the warm reception today.
What positive support. I enjoyed meeting the group
today. Thank you Julie for the tour of the "Kitchen".
Look forward to getting to the end with you all!!

An excellent quote...

" Anything unattempted, remains impossible." I saw this on a business sign today. I thought about how it applied to many facets of our lives, and not just weight loss. But how fitting it seemed particularly concerning losing a huge amount of weight. I remember when I tipped the scales at 255 pounds, just a little over a year ago. I remember thinking how difficult, and at times seemingly impossible it would be just to break out of the 200's. And yet here I am today, 70 pounds lighter, being able to run five miles, and lift 61,000 pounds in one single workout session. Now this is extreme, I don't normally push myself that hard in one single session, but I did it. Me, and not another. Who is to tell me that anything is impossible?! If I can get into shape girls, than you can too! Don't let yourself be drug back down if you've failed. We ALL fail. But we all have the ability to get back up again too. I've got 30 more pounds to lose, and lose it I WILL!

Hello Ladies!

It has been a while since I have been able to post. When Blogger updated, I couldn't get into the site to post anything. Now that the the Blog itself has been updated I can join in again. Yippee. I've missed you all. Life has been good. I am back at the gym. Its funny to me how easy it is to get out of the habit of exercising when you take a few days off, all the sudden that few turns into weeks! I haven't lost anything in a long while, just holding steady. I am hoping that since I am starting to work out again that I will start seeing progress. My husband is now focusing on losing weight too. This is really good for me because he provides another layer of accountability and he is no longer choosing to enable me. Seeing him do well makes me want to stay consistent. Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Smiles,
Kimiko

Checking In

Just a quick note,...

I've updated my ticker. 3.2 pounds lost this week!

Yay!

Things that go Bump In the Night (On the Scales)

For the first time since before Christmas, I got up the courage to step on the scales this morning and...you know what?...not so scary after all. I knew that I'd gained back some weight, but I had horribly huge figures stuck in my head (I kid you not, I wouldn't have been surprised to find myself where I was when I started all of this - depressed, yes; surprised, no.)

So the worst is behind me and it wasn't so bad after all. I can now get my tush in gear and get on about the business of getting this not-so-scary amount of weight off me.

And that sound? The one you hear? Utter and total relief.

Love to you all,
Lisa

I earned my first "star" from the Y!

For those of you who have fitlinxx at your YMCA, I made it to the first level, the white star level. You have to earn 15,000 fit points to earn your star, and I did it! Not bad considering I've only been a member for two months. I check my numbers daily on line. Anyhow, I'm soooo loving my membership there.

I was forced to change to the new blogger!

Sorry, girls. It gave me no choice. If we don't like how this blogger works, I am considering opening a whole new blog somewhere else or creating a new web page that will let us have many more features. I just don't want to "lose" anyone in the process. I am trying to come up with a creative domain name for a website for me. It needs to be generic enough to cover my photography, my family, my weightloss, etc. My hubby likes www.juliesway.com I kind of like www.friendofjules.com or www.julesjourney.com do you have any ideas? Thanks. Jules

First phase gone!

Well I made it through my first phase of Prism. It was a little rocky of a start but I made it. Total pounds lost for six weeks are 15.4, total inches lost for six weeks are 15.25. Not bad if I do say so myself. I have 47.4 pounds to go before my ten year wedding anniversary on October 4th. I KNOW that I can do this with all of your support. Thanks to Kristina's testimony and Julie's BIG HEART. Without you two I would not be here. You are the angels that God sent to help me see the real me. I love you.

FitLinxx Rocks

Kristina inspired me to check out the standings on our FitLinxx program at the Y. I am NOT real competitive except I like to bring my grades up so I was in the 87th percentile last month and the 90th percentile this month. I am ranked 9th overall for the year in my age group.

I work out on the elliptical and the weights which leaves little time for blogging when I get home. I have had to give up my computer time but it is worth it.

You guys inspire me and challenge me to do and be my best. God is so good to bring this group of ladies together.

Love you all!!Really...I do!

By Request, Kristina's New Song!

Sometimes she’d lace up her running shoes
Wondering just what the heck she’d do
Can’t run far in size 22 britches
Half a block would leave her in stitches

One day came along and her buddy, Jules
Said we’ve got to do something and I know what we’ll do
We’ll go from being …um…fluffy women
And by gosh we’ll do it screaming and kicking (if we have to)

And one day she woke up wearing size 10
Not surprised to find she was thin again
She laced up her shoes like she had before
And ran her butt right out that door!

(Bridge): And oh, how she ran
like a fiend in the wind for miles
and back again
She ran till she could go no more
Then the next day she added another lap

Now she runs seems like every day
“You’re looking so skinny” is what we all say
Two miles, three miles, four miles, five!
That’s when she starts to really feel alive

And on those days when she may feel blue
And a little tired and grumpy too
She may not think she has it in her, you know
But she’s got five more miles that she’ll go

___________________________

And this, ladies, is why I have a day job!

Seriously though, Kristina, I'm really proud (and a little envious) of you. Keep it up!

Love,
Lisa

The five mile girl... the five mile girl...

Perhaps someone should write a song about me. : )

I'm so proud of myself. I gutted out five straight miles this morning. Fifty-six minutes of solid running. I've never been this sweaty in my life. But it was hard. Very, very hard.

4.6 miles/ 702 calories/ whooooooo!

I just can't stop running. I'm going to be up to 6 miles within the next month to six weeks. Perhaps my very first race WILL be a 10k after all. : )

March Challenge

Okay Ladies, it's the first of the month and I feel a challenge coming on...

For the month of March, I challenge myself to (1) write down all of the water I drink (since I'm so bad at keeping track) and (2) run at least twice a week, in addition to my regular tennis and racquetball schedule.

Does anyone else feel like challenging themselves this month?