It's been awhile...

Hi, everyone. I KNOW, I KNOW. It's been ages!

I wanted to write to reassure whomever is still rooting me on that I have NOT given up on my weight-loss journey and am still working towards being "Thin in 2010." We are now in Round 2 of the Biggest Loser Competition and my 8 co-competitors are trekking on and moving forward. Things have slowed down a bit this round, but we're still working on making LIFESTYLE CHANGES that will LAST... not LEAPS & BOUNDS of weight loss that will creep back before we know it.

This certainly has been a slower process than I'd anticipated, but I'm learning to be "okay" with that. Every decision I make counts and I have to be willing to suffer the consequences should I make a "less than wonderful" decision from time to time. (And believe me, I DO!)

I am 16.7lbs lighter than when I embarked on this adventure... not a huge number, but still a good number! After a week of wretched sickness, I plan on getting back into the ol' workout routine -- NO EXCUSES!

3 things to whine about:

1) Mom's, you'll appreciate this: My legs are gettin' somewhere... my arms too! But, when will that BABY belly firm up and be gone??

2) I still want to eat Tim's Cascade Jalapeno chips in front of the T.V. (Pssst, and sometimes I do!)

3) I fear I won't be able to run the entirety of the 5K that is soon coming up...

3 things to celebrate:

1) Okay, so I have a flabby & stretch marked belly... but those marks are proof that I have 2 wonderful, wonderful children. Wouldn't trade them for the flattest belly in the world.

2) I'm learning to choose wisely when I want to have that yummy and savory/sweet treat. I'm learning to treat food with a little less importance -- call me a lifelong learner.

3) Even though I may not be able to run the entire 5K, my body is getting waaaay stronger and being able to run a mile to a mile 1/2 straight is a HUGE accomplishment for me!

Anyhow, friends. Sorry it's been sooooo long between posts. Keep checking in, keep holding me acctable... because I need it!

Here's to hoping I hit 20lbs lost by the 5K race on June 7!

Love,

Erin

BL COMPETITION OVER... ROUND 2 BEGINS NEXT WEEK!

Biggest loser competition (ROUND 1) is now over. 12 weeks later I am down 15.4lbs and came in 3rd among my 12 competitors. While I wasn't THEE biggest loser (hat tip to Christina Hood who came in 1st & Lesley Dock who came in just behind her!) and while my progress certainly has been slower than I'd originally anticipated, I am pleased! I am being constantly reminded that this is a LIFE LONG COMMITMENT and it takes time (and endurance) to build in new, healthy, and consistent habits.

Round 2 of BL starts this Tuesday... another 12 weeks in the comp., same stakes, most of the same folks from round 1 will be joining in alongside a few newbies. Yay! I am reinspired to keep at it and to work hard.

I suppose my most EXCITING news is that I am officially training for a 5K run! A handful of us will be running the Race for the Cure in support of breast cancer research, etc. on Sunday, June 6th in Seattle. I AM STOKED! I really am! My mama is my inspiration. I am running for her in celebration of her 15+ years in remission from breast cancer.

In terms of training, so far I've got 4 1.5mi runs under my belt... next week will increase to 1.75mi runs. Eeek! It's felt great to push my body to new limits and to see just how far I've come. Yes, I've "only" lost 15 or so lbs, with 65 more to go until I reach my GOAL weight. But, the human body is STRONG and I am proving that to myself each time I mark off completed run on my chart! God is good.

Anyway... on that note, I appreciate your continued support. I need cheerleaders and encouragers and appreciate all of those who have shared a kind word as I work towards being a litter thinner, a little stronger, and a little more "fit" to keep living and serving the Lord has he's called me to do!

Love you all!

-Erin

Ooo! Forgot to mention yesterday... down .8. Not a huge loss, but I'll take it! 2 more weeks to go... that's all for now! Down 15.4lbs!

3 weeks to go!

Hello, everyone!

I realized I miscalculated my total loss the last time I'd posted. Sorry about that! I was 13lbs down. However, I am happy to share that I am down another 1.6lbs, newly and accurately totaling 14.6lbs loss.

As always, slow but steady. That seems to be the ONLY way to really do it and to do it right! More than anything, I am pleased to still be moving in the right direction - esp. in light of a very stressful past several weeks. I've made some poor decisions here and there, but have tried to stick with the idea that, "Just because you ate one cookie doesn't mean you need to finish off the box!" It's definitely not easy, but I am doing my best to keep changing my habits, thinking, and behavior little by little.

The BL competition (Round 1) is soon coming to an end... 3 more weigh-ins until we find out who the final winner is! My GOAL is to reach 20lbs loss in the next 3 weeks (5.4 more lbs). Think I can do it???

In closing, I'll share my Top 3 highlights from this past week!

1) Digging through some old clothes and finding a pair of jeans that are 2 sizes smaller than what I was wearing and finding that they FIT! Woo-hoo!

2) Discovering 110 calorie bagel thins at Costco. Mmmm!

3) Kickin' some serious butt in Hot Yoga and finding myself really being able to do most of the postures well!

Always,

Erin

Keep on keepin' on...

Hi, friends.

Well, after a mediocre week, I am only down .2. Not to worry, life happens right? This week found itself steeped in a ton of emotions and stress which normally means grabbing for anything that is salty or sweet that is within reaching distance and having at it. I made sincere efforts to fight against the urge to emotionally eat -- seeing both success an failure at the same time. Just have to keep on keepin' on. (Cheesy, I KNOW.) As I continue to grow increasingly aware of my weaknesses as I pursue healthy living, my desire to not "throw in the towel" grows as well.

By now, I'm sure all of you have heard me mention the infamous hot yoga I've been doing. I've REALLY been enjoying it! I think I've visited this steamy and 110 degree hot box 7 or 8 times now and am really, really, really seeing its benefits for my body. (Hat tip to Miss Lesley Dock for introducing me to this insane endeavor.) What a work out too! And while everyone else is centering themselves and finding their inner chi (no idea if that is really what they are doing or if that is, in fact, a real term) I'm callin' on my savior to help me get through the 60/90 minutes of intensity. Hehee. Anyhow, my introductory rate is soon up and I'm wondering how to afford continuing these practices... hmmmm. Guess I better win the BL competition! $$$ Lol!

Love to all my readers... thanks for continuously cheering me on. Slow and steady, slow and steady...

-Erin

Half-way through the competition...

This week I am happy to report a loss of 1.8lbs... totaling 14lbs thus far! I've hit some rough patches along the way, but am happy to still be moving in the right direction!

Keep the encouragement and acctability a'comin'.

-Erin

This post comes later than expected... my apologies.

Well, no change in my weight this week. I supposed this is better than gaining! Nonetheless, I am certainly at a point of difficulty as I struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Obstacles I've faced this week:

1) Attempt #1 at hot yoga...

2) Being so sore following attempt at hot yoga that I could not work out (read: hardly walk) 2 days later...

3) Making preparations for my daughter's 3rd birthday...

4) Preparations included: m&ms, funfetti cake, hot dogs, and mac 'n cheese -- all at her request, of course. Afterall, it was her party and she could've cried if she wanted to... lol...

5) Getting sick. Agh, need I say more????

I feel as though I have lost some momentum, but I need to quickly propel forward lest I fall tragically backwards before having even gotten very far.

Say a prayer that my ears clear up, throat fills better, and that I get it together again!

Thanks, friends & followers,

Honest Erin

p.s. I made 2nd appearance at hot yoga and actually felt pretty good afterwards. A sign of success and progress!