Weight Loss Journey: 2015 - The Year of Me

I hope you all had a great Christmas.  This past month, I have taken a bit of a break from blogging.  Christmas time is always very hectic for us.  Between multiple family, work and friend get-togethers, we still had to work and keep the house up.  Adulting is hard.

My oldest nephew Logan.  One of the rare photos that isn't blurred.  Kids move fast.

I have been bouncing between 405 and 415 for more than a month.  It seems my body is comfortable at this weight and activity level.  I am fine with that.  I can buy clothes at a store, not just online.  I am really active and flexible.  I am happy, healthy and hopeful.  However, I would like to lose 50 to 100 more pounds.  But I have to remember the number on the scale means nothing if I am miserable.

I have always lived my life trying to do as much as I can for others.  My family, my husband, my friends.  But 2015 was the year of Me.  It was the year I came out of my depression and started enjoying life again.  I didn't even know how depressed I was.  2015 wasn't all about my weight loss.  100 lbs is no small feat, but the year was also about self awareness, self love and self confidence.  In short, I feel incredible.

Me and my nephew Landon, using my selfie stick

I have met so many people in the last year that have lifted me up and supported me.  I have made friends locally and across the US in what I call my "Fat Chat".  I have also had family and friends send me messages and tell me personally how great I am doing.  It makes me incredibly proud of myself.  My blog has gotten so many more followers and I am thankful for each and every person who reads this.  Recently my blog was shared on a weight loss website, across Facebook and Twitter.  It's amazing.  I hope I inspire some of you to get healthier.  I know I am inspired by you all.

This is Christmas 2014 and Christmas 2015.

I am not one for New Years resolutions so I am just going to state a few things for 2016:
#1-I want to continue eating healthy and tracking my calories.
#2-I want to continue my exercise habits by working out at least 3 days a week.
#3-I want to strengthen my relationship with Roger.
#4-I want to continue to save money for our futures.
#5-I want to be a better friend by making more time to visit people.
#6-More craft and food blogs, less weight loss blogs.

What are your hopes for 2016?  Will you be joining me on my journey?

Weight Loss Journey: The Good, the Bad and the Gain

I have been mulling over this blog for a week now.  In fact, I wasn't going to write about it at all.  Just ignore it and maybe it will go away.  But that is how I got to be over 500 lbs in the first place.  And after talking to my sister, she convinced me that this blog needs to be truthful and genuine.  She is absolutely right.  So I must say that I have gained back some weight.  About 7 pounds actually.  Here is where I could list my excuses, but for me, they are not excuses, they are mistakes.  And mistakes can be corrected and learned from.

Two weeks ago I opened an email with the subject line "Invoice and Receipt for Payment".  Thinking nothing of it I downloaded the contents.  Mistake #1.  The email turned out to be a Ransomware Virus that corrupted my computer along with my work and personal flash drives that were plugged in.  I lost every document and photo on all three devices.  I had a friend come over to see if he could save anything but he wasn't able to.  He had to wipe my computer and reload windows.  Thank goodness that it didn't touch anything in my accounting program.

I spent the next 2 days reloading all my programs.  I was so involved in it that I skipped the gym.  Mistake #2.  Instead of taking my lunch break and going to the gym to relieve some stress, I sat at my desk and ate junk.  I went to the gas station a few doors down and got chips, candy and soda.  Mistake #3.  This was an old behavior that I thought I was over but those old habits die hard.  Have I mentioned I don't handle stress very well?

I worked 17 hours overtime in those 2 weeks.  My "at home" meals suffered too. Mistake #4.  I didn't plan ahead and waited way too long to eat some days.  This meant that I didn't make dinner most nights and either ate out or I threw something together.  I had pizza, Chinese, fast food and other comfort food.  I also didn't log my food consistently.  Eating like crap and being stressed about work made me feel like crap.  That in turn made me not want to do anything.  In short, I was lazy and lackadaisical.

On Thanksgiving, I wrapped the Christmas presents while I watched the Macy's parade.  We went to a friend's house for dinner and had a wonderful time.  There was no stress.  By Saturday, I had pulled myself out of my funk.  I took a trip alone to St. Helens, OR and finished my Christmas shopping.  Then, after I got home, Roger and I went to Fred Meyer to shop for boots.  I ended up getting them at Payless.  I got two pair for a little over $50.  I weighed myself again this morning, December 1st, and I was back to 410.  Which means I am 7 lbs from my 100 lb goal.  While this is a set back, it's not going to stop me.

Weight Loss Journey: My 10 Tips For Weight Loss

I have been at this for almost a year now and have had great personal success.  I can't even complain.  It has been relatively easy for me to make these changes.  Yes, there have been struggles and set backs but I have never let it completely take me down.  In no way have I or my journey been perfect.  I just want to encourage people while I am changing my life.

I have had many people ask me for help and want me to tell them how they too can be successful.  I honestly can't give advice.  There is no magic formula, no pill, shake, meal plan or hypnosis that will work.  You can want to lose weight, and try, but if you are not in it wholeheartedly, you won't succeed.  Losing weight is basically a math problem.  You have to burn more calories than you intake.

Here is what I did:
#1 - Made a mental change.  A switch flipped in my head.  Your brain, stomach and heart all have to agree on this change.  They may fight at times but as long as you stay strong, they will all come together.

#2 - Deleted soda and all other sweet drinks from my life.  I was drinking about a liter of Diet Coke per day, along with at least 1 coffee drink.  A Venti quad shot white chocolate peppermint mocha has 660 calories.  Not to mention the amount of sugar and fat.  While I haven't given up coffee completely, I have changed the way I drink it.  The same goes for soda.  I still have the occasional Diet Coke.  But I limit it to one.

#3 - Kept a food journal.  I use MyFitnessPal to track everything I eat.  You can customize your settings or it can help you find ones right for you.  It has an extensive library of foods.  You can even input recipes and exercise.  I keep track of EVERYTHING that I eat.  You can't think,"Oh, it's just a mini-snickers or a small bag of chips".  It all counts.

#4 - Stopped eating fast food.  There is an occasional trip thru the drive thru but mostly I avoid it all together.  There are too many temptations and hidden calories.

#5 - Also dropped 90% of the dairy and carbs from my diet.  I will still eat small amounts of each but mostly, they are both out of my life.  Both made me feel sluggish and lethargic.  If you feel like that a lot, take a look at your plate.

#6 - Meal Prep.  I think meal prep is probably the most important part of this.  I have talked about it a few times.  Take a few moments on the weekend, sit down and make your weekly menu.  Plan breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.  Then go get groceries.  Prep your meats and your veggies when you get home.  If your food is readily available, you will be less tempted to stray from your plan.

#7 - I took it easy on myself.  Not every day is perfect.  You won't eat great all the time but that doesn't mean you ruined it.  I've heard the analogy that if you got a flat tire, you wouldn't slash the other three.  You fix the tire and get back on the road.  I took it one step at a time.  Got my food schedule down and then added exercise, then personal reflection.  Don't jump in the pool with your clothes on.  Take it easy.

#8 - I found support.  Not only are all my friends and family on Facebook and huge support system but I have joined some chat groups and websites where there are people on the same journey as me.  We can commiserate and cheer each other on from opposite sides of the oceans.

#9 - Took my mental temperature.  Throughout this entire process, I have been checking in with myself, mentally.  As you are changing your outward appearance, you inner self is also changing.  You have to adjust to your clothes fitting differently, your self image changing and your self esteem changing.  I hated looking at myself in the mirror and taking photos before.  I now love it.  Although I am not to my goal weight yet, I have such a different view of my body as a whole.  I am healthier than I have been since my teens.

#10 - I got up and got out.  After I got my food in check, I started moving.  At first, I just started walking.  I could only go a few minutes without stopping.  Now, I can do 10 straight minutes without having to stop, due to the pain in my foot.  I am far stronger that I was.

I hope some of these tips helped.  No every person loses weight the same so what works for me, may not work for you.  Tread your own weight loss path.  But never give up.

Weight Loss Journey: Struggling

Ugh!  I have written and rewritten this blog several times over the last month.  A few things have happened this month and I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about them.  Usually my blog is all about positivity and encouragement.  Let me tell you, this month, it has not been so easy.  I have been really struggling.  No only with my weight loss but with my emotions and my self control.  I again chose not to weigh myself until November 1st.  So, at the time I am writing this part, I have not weighed in.

I had a falling out with a friend of 13 years.  I think I finally just opened my eyes and listened to everyone who was telling me he was a bad person to be around.  I saw through the lies and decided I didn't need his negativity anymore.  I can't save him from himself.  There was no fight or screaming match, I just stopped talking to him and blocked him on all social media.  I did make a new friend through him that I am happy is a part of my life now.  A positive, uplifting person with no agenda.

Early in October I was working a lot on Fabric Pumpkins for my sister to sell for me at her craft fairs.  We made 75 total and they are now all gone.  (I did keep 2 for myself).  The extra time I needed for them took away from me making dinner every night and I got off track a bit.  My own fault for not planning accordingly.  In fact one night I was up for 26 hours and ate an entire pizza to myself.  Not one of my proudest moments.

On the 10th, I got a new tattoo.  I actually got my star covered with a cow.  If you have known me for a while, you know cows are my favorite animal.  Well, while it was healing, I didn't wear my FitBit because that's the wrist I wear it on.  I think that really hindered me.  It allowed me to do things without thinking and assume that I had burned more calories than I had.

The day after we went to a party.  It was a reunion of sorts for our family owned shop.  It was filled with faces that I hadn't seen in so long and it was such a great time.  My only mistake was not sitting down all night.  I am not used to standing so much and I really paid for it the next day.  Not only was I hungover, but my knees and ankles hurt so badly.  We went to the World of Speed Museum in Portland with out Car Club.  I'm afraid I was no fun.  I had to keep sitting and really felt like crap.

Then there was an entire week where I was so tired.  We had "fend for yourself" dinners 3 nights that week.  I also went to the store a few times and bought candy bars and other snacks.  Found out a few days later that it was PMS which strangely made me feel better.  I also only went to the gym twice that week.  I felt like I was eating like crap and I was spiraling.  I did grab the reins and reeled it in by the end of the month so I am anxious to see where my loss is.

The results:  So I didn't lose any weight this month.  Well, actually 0.2 lbs.  While I am disappointed in myself, I really can't rely fully on the scale.  I have come so far in the last 10 1/2 months.  I did take my measurements this month.  I lost 2 inches off my stomach, 2 inches off my arms, 1 inch off my bust and 3 inches off my thighs.  So, while I need to buckle down to meet my 100 lb goal by December 9th, I am happy with my changes.

Online Shopping: Makeup from Miss A, Ipsy and Birchbox

I am at a new point in my journey where I am adding another step.  First step was to get my eating under control. √ Second was to get myself more active. √  The third step includes make up, clothes and spending a bit more attention to my appearance.  When you weigh over 500 lbs, you can either wear mumus or t-shirts.  I chose tees and stretchy jeans.  There is nothing wrong with them but I would like to be seen as more feminine.  I already curse like a sailor, I might as well look pretty while doing it.

I spend a fair amount of time at work on the internet.  I am not neglecting my job, it's just that, at times, I finish everything I need to get done with time on my hands.  I use this idle time to research anything and everything I ever wanted to know.  My first stop was to YouTube.  YouTube is a crazy mixed bag of actual information and absolute bullshit.

I found a great number of "beauty channels" dedicated to plus size fashion and make up tutorials.  In August, I dipped my toe in the water and subscribed to Ipsy.  It is $10 a month.  They send you a Glam Bag with 5 sample products to try.  My first month, above, I got a lipstick, cream blush, lip liner, night cream and shower lotion.  It just so happened to come the day of a Girl's night so I was looking pretty cute.  The liner and lipstick matched really well together and I loved the cream blush.  It gave me such a great pink glow to my cheeks.  I am not much for using creams and lotions but both of these seemed to work really well.

My September Ipsy bag was not as good for me, personally.  It also came the day of a night out, coincidentally.  I received a nail polish, face mask, eye shadow palette, eye liner and eye brush.  I used the mask last night and it really did work.  My face felt really smooth and hydrated.  Even after my shower in the morning, it still felt nice. I am not that into nail polish but I do love this shade and it is thick enough where I would only do one coat.  It also dried relatively quickly.  I was super stoked about the shadow and liner.  I love the palette colors and the liner was a gorgeous bronze color.  Unfortunately, they line was rather dry and hard to apply.

In September I also decided to sign up for BirchBox.  It's another $10 a month subscription box with 5 samples.  No bag in this one but it comes in a gorgeous box.  My first month was not a home run for me.  I have not used the small grey tube which is Dr.Brandt Pores No More Cleanser but I have used everything else.  The blue tube is Whish Shave Cream.  It had an amazing smell of blueberries.  My problem was that while shaving my legs in the shower, it got washed off really easily.  Next up was the Wilma Schumann Hydrating Collagen Eye Pads.  I have to say, while these did hydrate my under eyes, the texture was really off-putting.  It felt like I had Jell-O on my face.  Next was the Rusk Elixir Thermal Shine Mist.  Maybe it's because it is for heat damaged hair but all this did was make my hair greasy.  Finally there was a ModelCo Ultra Long-Lasting Lipstick in Stiletto.  It's a super bright red and it did last a long time.  However, the color is one I won't wear very often.  I will give BirchBox 2 more months and see if I will continue the subscription.

The final place I want to talk about is ShopMissA.  This is the ultimate Beauty Dollar Store.  Everything is just a buck.  They have make-up, tools, hair accessories, sunglasses, jewelry and other miscellaneous items.  The above photo is the tools I got.  Make-up sponges, a mirror, make0up brushes, and combs to help when I dye my hair.

They have all sorts of hair accessories.  I got 2 Yoga style headbands, a silver and a gold chain headbands, a cute gold and flower headband, a silver studded headband and a nice fabric star print headband.

I even got these 2 really nice pairs of sunglasses for a buck!!!

Here is my make-up haul.  They had such a variety!  I got 3 eye shadow palettes, a highlight crayon, a black and a silver eye liner, mascara, sharpener, blush, coconut hydrating mask and 3 different powders.  So far, everything is really nice.  I haven't disliked anything.

Finally, here is my jewelry haul.  I was really impressed with the quality of all these items.  I got a huge mix of earrings and necklaces.  Look at those black hoops.  I got 6 pair for a dollar.  It's insane.  It also was a great incentive to try something new.  With everything being a dollar, it's not a big gamble.  Also, the shipping is a flat $3.95.  You just can't beat it.

Where do you like to online shop?  What's your secret guilty pleasure?  Do you have any hidden gems?

Weight Loss Journey: A Month Without a Scale

On September 1st, I weighed myself, took my measurements and hid my scale in the bottom of my hope chest, vowing not to take it out again until October 1st.  Things were getting too obsessive for me.  I was weighing myself daily and little set backs were causing me way too much mental anguish.  I decided to let myself relax this month and see what happened.

What happened was a much happier Kristy and still a 7 lb weight loss.  I am now 93 lbs down and not one bit miserable.  I let go of the obsessive thoughts.  I let go of always having to know what i was going to eat.  I became more spontaneous and enjoyed eating again.  I still kept track of my food, but not every day and I still went to the gym at least 3 times a week.

Guess what?  I ate out, I ate fast food, I drank and I had chocolate cake.  And I didn't fail.  I lived life and that's what this is about.  "Even if you stumble, you're still moving forward."  I made smart choices, had smaller portions and didn't deprive my cravings.  Guys, I am a changed woman!  I'm never looking back.

Weight Loss Journey: Discovering

Guys, I ran this week.  I didn't run far and it wasn't a fast pace but I ran.  Roger and I went for a walk on Tuesday after work down at this industrial park in town.  They have nice sidewalks and open areas without any businesses nearby.  The sidewalk is lined with street lights and fire hydrants.  I chose to run between every other set of street lights.  I'm not saying it was easy but I sure did enjoy it.  I haven't ran in years.  Another part of my workout that day, and something else I haven't done in years, was using a jump rope.  I also bought a skirt at Target, in a 3X.  It's been a week of rediscovering things.  Along this journey, I discover new things about food, exercise and my own body every week.  I'm 34 years old and thought I knew everything about myself.  Wrong-o.

If you ask any one of my family or friends, they will tell you I am not really a girly girl.  I wear make up maybe once a year and my hair is always in a ponytail.  I am a T-shirt and jeans girl.  But, as of late, I have been wearing make-up and doing my hair daily.  It really freaked my boss out.  He thought I was going on job interviews.  One night, I braided my hair in small braids after watching a YouTube tutorial on awesome beach waves.  It turned out a frizzy mess.  Check out that photo.

I have been on an absolute egg kick lately.  I get the Lucerne Best of the Egg-Original.  It's 99% egg whites with turmeric to make it yellow.  Half a cup has only 60 calories.  I've been making what I call, Green Eggs.  It's basically any green vegetables that I have and eggs.  Last week was zucchini, avocado and salad greens.  This week is spinach, avocado, broccoli and peas.  I love to top it with Sriracha.  This week, I also added some smoked salmon that my husband made.  It is so good and this breakfast is packed with vitamins, good fats and protein.  It keeps me full until after noon.

Another thing that seems to curb my appetite is coffee.  I have been cold brewing my own coffee at home.  Basically you just steep the ground coffee overnight and strain out the grounds.  It's easy and delicious.  Well, I ran out last week and decided maybe I didn't actually need it.  On the second day, I was so hungry.  I thought nothing of it until day 3 and day 4 where I could not control my appetite.  The next day was Friday and I stopped by my beloved Starbucks for a caffeine fix.  Well, that day, the hunger stopped.  I ate my breakfast and made it to lunch without wanting anything else.  So, I guess coffee and I are back together.

Finally, this last paragraph is where I usually tell you how much I have lost since my last blog.  I am sad to say I haven't.  I have hit another plateau.  Not sure the reason, I feel like I am doing exactly what I was before.  So on September first, I weighed in at 417, took all my measurements and then put the scale and measuring tape away.  I will not touch them for an entire month.  I was getting a little too obsessive and weighing myself daily.  But, I know I have gained a lot of muscle.  I can feel muscles in my arms and legs.  I have abs under my rolls.  I know because they are sore after certain workouts.  I joined a Facebook group a few weeks ago that showed me different exercises I could do and asked that the members participate by commenting, leaving photos and other stuff.  I actually won the contest the final week.  I am not giving up, nor am I discouraged.  It's just another time for me to discover a solution.