Night before [FINAL] weigh in...

Well, I never thought this day would come, but tomorow is the final weigh in for the 2008 Goo-Be-Gone. I am ready for it to be over. The next 36 (well less?!) pounds I hope to take off by June 1st, 2008. I will be a great day when I hit that FINAL goal weight. This competition has certainly given me a great beginning and a head start on my weight loss. I will never go back up in weight again!

Tomorrow morning I will NOT be updating my ticker or documenting my progress because a fierce competitor apparently checks my blog LOL! We can both wait until tomorrow evening!

When we get the results by email Tuesday night I will post my final stats for the contest on Wednesday morning! I had a great final week and I did the BEST I could do! I couldn't be more happy or proud of both Cliff and my success. We did great!

I will also be resetting my weight loss ticker back to my post-pregnancy weight and updating my goals etc! Got to mix it up a bit!! 3 more months to go!! I can do this!

Until Wednesday then...

Run like the wind {Pink Lightning!!}

I wanted to go to Jazzercise this morning but when I got there I realized that today was the 30th and there was no class. Bummer.

So, I came home and said to Cliff I should pop down to the RR and go for a run with my old hang out 'The Running Room" so I did. But it has been about 16 months since Cliff and I ran with our running group. WAY TOO LONG. So, I got there 3 minutes too late and missed all of the groups. I ran on my own. I even ran up the big hill on 200th from 64th all the way up to 72nd and back down. In the past I never enjoyed running up THAT huge hill. Today I conquered it! I felt fabulous and I did not give up! I finished strong...sort of how I will finish this GBG on Tuesday morning. I will not quit! I have come WAY too far to quit now!

That was the best feeling this morning!! The best!! It was lovely to see friends again and laugh!!

I ran 6 sets of 10/1's and then another 5 minutes (back to the store again) And then I stretched. I figure I did about 10K this morning! Fabulous!

A half marathon is in my future...maybe this October!! Got to keep another goal within my reach!!

Saturday workout

This morning I got onto the treadmill and completed one hour...I did 30 minutes of running anywhere from 4.5-7.0 mph. And the balance (30 minutes) was my fast paced walking at 3.8-4.0 mph. I did 4.16 miles and burned lots of calories and I feel FABULOUS! Might break out the hip hop abs today or tonight.

I broke a weight related milestone today :D and that made me very happy!!! And my broken finger did not throb like it did last week. Happy healing to my finger!!

3 more days, 3 more days 3 more days!!

Friday Night - The 700 Dollar Week

Well, I feel as if my motivation is going by the wayside today. I just feel very unmotived for some reason. I don't know...maybe it is all that is going on at home. And, the yucky winter weather. Just isn't keeping me that interested. This is when I SHOULD be going full bore. I haven't stopped doing anything it is just my state of mind.

I think it is because the GBG weigh in is in 4 days and I just want to do well. But, I am competing with men that can lose weight a lot easier etc. I just would LOVE the chance to win 700 dollars because it is so needed around here. But, I am quite sure I will not get that money. I guess that is why I feel like giving up. Not that this whole weight loss experience has been a waste. It hasn't been.

I guess because I know I could work the HARDEST ever, and it would mean I would lose but not big numbers like the boys. That sucks. I cannot dedicate as much time as I would have LOVED to devote to this contest. And, I am still feeding Coco. I can only push myself so far with that, and do not want to risk losing my milk over a contest that is supposed to make me healthier etc.

But, I will continue on. I will push through this. I will not quit. I will finish off strong, and who knows? A girl like just me COULD win. Or maybe tie? Who knows.

I just hate to LOSE. I think I am a sore loser lol. But, I must say, that by the time the contest is over both my hubby and I will have taken off about 100 pounds (together) and that is pure WIN WIN.

I have put up my eating schedule on the fridge, I have my exercise plan in place and I have "1st place" taped up to my fridge!! And "700 dollar week!!!" Keep pushing ahead! The contest is not over YET!

I will check in again soon.

4 more days. 4 more days. 4 more days!

Tuesday Weigh In - Week 12

I weigh 171 pounds today on the nose. 3.2 pounds gone this week and I am SO close to the 160's!! Next week I will kiss the 170's goodbye forever too! What an awesome feeling!

One more week left in the Goo-Be-Gone 2008. My FINAL weigh in next Tuesday! Then I am on my own to lose the rest of my weight! FOREVER!

Next week I will take a couple of full body photos, but I will not reveal my ORIGINAL bathing suit before photo (at 218.8 pounds)until I get to my FINAL goal weight of 135! Look for that this summer! I think the bathing suit will be falling off and may require a new purchase!!

I have 36 pounds left to lose! I would hope it takes 3 more months...April 1st - June 1st! Anybody want to do a second Goo-Be-Gone with me starting next Tuesday?

Monday, the night before the 2nd to last weigh in for GBG

I did a workout this morning, For about 47 minutes. My finger was throbbing so that is why I stopped early. I walked at 4.0 and did 2.76 miles. But, I burned calories and that is all that matters right now. Calories in vs. Calories out. That is the secret to this whole weight loss thing. Calories in and out!

Tomorrow is my second to last weigh in with GBG which is so hard to believe! It looks like I will finish in this contest in the 160's which is just amazing to me! And then, after the contest I will continue on my quest to lose the rest of the weight!

Should be easy right!! I sure hope so as I have attacked this battle full on and I will continue to do so until every last pound has been removed! I am looking forward to the summer weather and some new clothes!

My veins are doing well. They are going down flat into the skin but the skin around still looks bruised. When it is time to do my surgery to tie off the veins I don't think my specialist is going to recognize me because I hardly recognize myself!

Easter Sunday

Today is just like any other day to me. Same stuff, different day except today the Easter Bunny came to visit the kids. But, nothing for the parents lol.

I did 75 minutes on the treadmill, and I ran for 10 minutes and my finger felt OK. Maybe I am starting to heal. I sure hope so!

I walked at 3.9/4.0 and then my little run was at 4.5...that was all I could muster right now. I did 4.6 miles today.

Anyways...turkey is in the oven, complete with all of the fixings. I will not be having the fixings! But, I just at a hard boiled egg (left over from egg colouring last night) I will have the turkey in a whole wheat wrap and carrots.

I am going to splurge tonight on a Cadbury Cream Egg. Cliff too!

Happy Easter!

Tomorrow: My Last Chance Workout!!

Saturday

I got on the treadmill again and did about 73 minutes at 3.8/3.9. I did 4.38 miles. Felt pretty good today, finger still throbs when I work out, but not as much just day to day. I hope that continues.

I just have to say I am in love with a decaf, non fat no whip mocha from Starbucks! I highly recommend them! They satifsy the sweet requirement for me and that is a good thing! It tastes even better iced we discovered yesterday!

I have been tired lately, and have resorted in the past two nights to sleeping on the couch...just cannot get off of my but and to bed. This morning I woke up at 6:30 am and Catie was just getting up :D

I will try my best to get into bed earlier tonight BEFORE the tired hits.

Good Friday

I finally got a workout in this morning, after our power came back on. I woke up on the couch last night at 4:18 am to the power flickering and going off. Thankfully I knew where my supplies were. I got into bed and got up at 8 ish.

I did about 68 minutes on the treadmill at a slower pace (due to the throbbing in my broken finger) at 3.8 and at times when I could take the throbbing a 4.0 that was tough. I have to walk with my hand kind of up, and to my side to curtail that feeling.

I am up one pound I think due to the Subway I had last night (salty baked lays) and I splurged and had a cup of iced tea. I did this because well one, I was hungry and I wanted to give up last night. So I gave in on a bit of a treat.

It is because of all the chaos going on around my place, and now on top of it 6 weeks in a splint makes it kind of difficult to keep my regular pace. I know it will not be forever, but frustrating all the same because there is less than two weeks left in the GBG. And, the competitor that I am FREAKS because it is not GOING TO PLAN. So, I have to modify. I am not giving up, rather just changing the way I have to do things which sucks. But, I cannot not give up! Not now. Not after all of the hard work I have done.

So,for now no more running on treadmill (hurts too much) and just brisk walking hopefully daily! I need this for my sanity! Is Spring Break over yet?

I will hopefully lose something for Tuesday but truly not counting on it. Such is life right!! But the good news is that I already exceeded my very original goal of 20-30 pounds! I blitzed that one! Woot!

Tuesday Weigh In - Week 11

This morning I am sitting in a pair of nice workout pants from my sis that she gave to me before her trip and they fit awesome! I am also wearing my new Brazil tank top she gave me! Cliff told me last night that I look awesome and that meant a lot to me! I have been working so HARD!!!!!

My stats in a nutshell:

Pounds lost this week: 5.8 pounds

Current weight: 174.2

Current waist: 32" (down 10" from January 1st)

Pounds lost since November 16th, 2007: 63.8 pounds

Pounds lost since the start of GBG: 44.6

Weight needed to lose until I reach my goal weight: 39.2!

I only have 2 formal weight ins left until Goo-Be-Gone ends, and today I have met my second and revised goal of 175 pounds! I am under that goal already and I am on my way to meeting or exceeding my next goal for the final weigh in!

I have passed my husband today in weight loss percentage (Love you Cliff) but I have to do this!!! He knows that look in my eye and the competitor and strong will in me is out IN FULL FORCE! I feel myself gearing up for a strong finish! Two more formal weeks! He is cheering me on, and I am still cheering for him! I am so proud of how he is doing! He is down again this week! Yay Cliff! I am your biggest fan! Thank you for supporting me!

I am going to put this quote on this post, because I look at this one every day:

Fear melts when you take action towards a goal you really want --Robert G Allen

The night before weigh in!

Well, I am back in the saddle again! I had a super duper "last chance workout" tonight. I did 6.40 miles at 4.2/4.4 brisk power walk. And in there I did 10 mins running at 5.5 mph. Then I cooled down. I spent 100 minutes on there. My hubby has not much left to lose, and I do. So, I have to kick it into HIGH GEAR because there are only 2 more weigh ins left in the GBG after tomorrow.

I know I am in FIERCE competiton with another FIERCE competitor! So, may the best MAN OR WOMAN WIN. Seriously though, I don't think I will win ANY money, or come in first place. You have all seen THE BIGGEST LOSER. The men USUALLY win, but hey I will not let that deter me. Most likely 2nd I will be. Cliff is fine with me passing him over! He supports me ;D. I am so proud of what he has done too! He looks AMAZING!

But truly I feel I have won just based on how far I have come in the past months. I am highly motivated, and you just never know what one can do when you set your mind on a goal. I have NEVER waivered. I will NOT waiver. I am strong and I will not go down without a fight.

I have had a bad couple of weeks with sickness, sickness in the house, a sick FIL, and my cat died. I have made it through holiday eats, party eats sabbotage even! Practically on a daily basis. I just turn up my nose and say...is it WORTH IT????

Anything and everything going on in our life right now could be potential ways to waiver and stop doing what I am doing. But as I have said in the past. I AM WORTH IT!!!!!! Even when the GBG is over. I am continuing on this path to finding myself. I will reach my goal!

Until tomorrow morning!

Tell Me What you Think!

"If you want to tell me what you think of ME, click on this link and follow the directions. It will be interesting to see how different our points of view are, because I have a picture in my mind of who I am, but you may have a very different idea of me than I do. Follow that link, tell me about me, then set up your OWN Johari's Window. It's really cool!"I found this fun little exercise at Carol blog and Babzy's blog and I also borrowed part of her post. Why write your own post if you can plagiarize another's? hee hee! Haha!

Thank you!!!

Cathy

Saturday Sizzle!

Can you tell I am feeling better?! Too bad the weather couldn't be a bit nicer. Anyways, I tried on my old wardrobe hanging in my closet (the ones that were grouped in my closet for present and future and in size groupings, 18 then 16 then 14 then 12) and guess WHAT! I am into ALL of my size 12's and there no items of clothing hanging up anymore!!!!*!*!*!**!*!

You know what that means!? Next drop of weight, will be a brand new size. That requires brand new stuff! Oh yeah baby! Oh yeah. The next size shall be 10/11 I would imagine. And in tops I am definitely into a medium. Time for new bras too. And ginch for that matter! Everything is too big!

I am on the mend, I ate Subway. My good eating is good, and hopefully Jazzercise FINALLY tomorrow. I have missed my workouts. They keep me calm and in high spirits.

I basically have about 40 pounds to take off until I hit my ultimate goal weight! I am hoping I will reach that goal by June 15th 2008 when we get family photos done with Jill! Can't wait for that! By my 37th birthday my guess is that I would not get recognized unless I travel with my entourage aka my family LOL!!

Feeling a bit better!

I have stopped puking, and I ate a bit today. I lost a lot of water weight, and I feel weak. Tomorrow is a new day. I hope to be back to it! Fingers crossed that Carly, Cliff and Coco do not get sick.

So much for my exercise this week.

Still puking

Cameron puked at school, so he is home now too. Our couch is so cozy with kids under blankets. I even have the gas fireplace on for warmth. I am freezing. Freezing. Headachy. Cannot get off the couch. My darly hubby has been doing everything for me today. Thank goodness for sick days.

I have thrown up all day. I keep taking sips of water but I keep throwing it up. I want water so bad, I need it to keep up my milk supply for my little darling.

I guess this was not the weightloss plan I had in mind today. I have broken the 180's ALREADY. I am sure it is just water weight. Oh, and no more nachos EVER again. Good going in, not so good coming out. Sorry for the TMI, but just want to help out my fellow sickos.

Going to sip some more ice water. Please stay down...please stay in my tummy.

So sick in the house

I woke up at 4:30 am feeling off. Then around the morning alarm I got sick, and I have been sick barfing sick about 5x's since. Cliff is home. Caroline got sick this morning, Claire got sick this morning (staying home) and Catie got sick this morning.

I feel discusting. I will check in later. I wonder who is next. It is just a matter of time. Did anybody watch Jon and Kate Plus 8? We must have got it from them lol. The last time I had the flu like this was when Claire was a newborn. My Mom came over to watch Cameron and Claire. She would bring me Claire when she needed to feed. I hope Coco stays healthy.

Cliff didn't eat this morning. No doubt. He has been on puke clean up all morning and night. Love you Cliff.

Tuesday Weigh In - Week 10

I am down another 2.2 pounds, and I am sitting right at 180.0! This week I will say goodbye to the 180's and welcome in the 170's!! I have 45 pounds to go! I am over half way now! (58 pounds gone!!!) Woot Woot!

Not time to chat, busy day today! Have a good one! I am splurging tonight, yum yum! Nacho night! (controlled splurge, once x per week and tonights the night!)

Later!

Cathy

Whose that girl?

The top left, was of course at 218 or so pounds (8 days post partum) and the next one over was of course at about 188 (about 3 months postpartum). And the bottom two photos were taken today (Courtney is almost 4 months) and I am 16 weeks, 1 day postpartum today.

I went out shopping last night to find something to wear, and I bought some trouser style jeans. I am wearing as size 11 in the photos from today! The firstphoto on the left I was wearing a size 18, the next one as size 15...

I couldn't believe the reflection starting back in the mirror last night! So surprised and happy! And today I feel even better about myself as a person. I am liking, no let me say LOVING the person I see reflecting back in the mirror today. I have 45 pounds left to get to my goal weight of 135.

I am going to reach this goal! Yes I am!

New Do!

I got my hair done today! Here is the before and after! Gotta love fresh hair!

Tuesday Weigh In - Week 9

I am down another 4.4 pounds this week to 182.2 pounds. My waist is at 33 inches.

BMI: I am now out of the dangerous "obese" category and I have moved to the "overweight" category! I am getting healthier yay!

Tonight I splurge on nachos with my hubby. Cannot wait! And, watch the Biggest Loser. But of course!

I am now 7.2 pounds away from my Goo-Be-Gone goal of 175 pounds by April 1st 2008 (that was revised from the original poundage because I met my original goal of 20-30 pounds about half way through this competition!!!!)

On Saturday, I am getting my hair done! Yay! Yay! Yay!!!

On Sunday, we have Courtney's Baptism, and I will be the smallest I have EVER been out of all 6 kids! I am so happy! I think some of the family members will be shocked at how different I look! Can't wait to see their reactions!

Monday - the day before 9th week weigh in of Goo-Be-Gone 2008

Well, it sure is a Monday. I don't really like Mondays. Rainy days and Monday's get me down! Do you know that song by the Carpenters? Well that is how I feel today.

Our house has felt very sad. I feel sad. I feel emotionally heavy. Emotionally weighed down. Anxiety and grief sits heavily like a rock on my chest. My hips ache (sympathy pains for my dear FIL) and I just feel loaded down. That rain sure doesn't help much.

Tomorrow is weigh in number 9 (and less than 1 month to go until the final weigh in on April 1st, 2008) I am glad it will come to an end. It sure takes a lot of willpower and strength to keep on my 'plan' these days. I just feel like grabbing a bag of chips and sitting in front of the TV and just eating away. But, I will not. Because I am not worth that! I am worth this change no matter how hard or how difficult my life gets. I have to physically ask myself everything I put into my mouth "Is this worth the calories?" Is it worth it?" I have will of steel I think. Cliff has cracked into handfuls of this and that. And he he asked me when I will budge or break. I said I won't. I am stubborn, and I have a challenge in front of me. I will not give up. I want to succeed. I don't want to fail. I have never liked to fail at anything (good old perfectionist here!!) So, this time I will not quit! I will succeed. I want to feel victorious. If I can eat well and exercise during this hard time in our lives, then I should theoretically be able to do this eating well lifestyle for always and not just for the Goo-Be-Gone or reaching my weight goal.

I have my vision of myself and I keep that image burned into my mind when I want to eat a donut or whatever else.

Food is so hard to balance. It can be a source of pleasure too, and you have to eat to live. Not LIVE to eat. That is so hard for me. Food is like love in some ways. Wonderful family gatherings and holidays all revolve around food. That is a struggle. A huge struggle.

But, life keeps moving forward. It is how I choose to go on! I make those choices and I only have myself to blame if I fail. The food will not fail me! I will get to my goal!! With a few healthy cheats along the way to keep me sane. Once controlled cheat a week is what I give my self. One meal. That is it. The next day I am back on my program. It feels really boring at times, but it has become automatic. That is good, that way I do not feel obsessed with my eating. One less thing to think about.

I know I have done well, but I know I am only as good as my last lost pounds. Those are history. Today is a new day, and I keep pushing ahead to my goal. Look to the goal! Look to my future as a happy and healthy Mom to 6. And a happy sexy wife for my husband. I have to feel good about me first to be able to do that.

It certainly has not been easy, but things that are worth it are hardly ever easy! Reaching a goal takes 100% dedication and commitment. I cannot fail with that, and the support and love from all around me.

Having this blog to document my success is certainly helping because my readers know when I weigh in lol! That keeps me motivated too.

Losing the weight, I find that I am un-peeling layers and the layers coming off have been so interesting and sometimes even scary! But, I need to do this! I am finding so much about myself these days! I am finding new passions and renewing my interests and sense of playfulness that had left me. Those are all good findings!

I have renewed myself in an old hobby called Photography and I LOVE it! I love the people that are molding me and guiding me and helping me to develop that side of myself! It has been a great journey so far! I cannot wait to learn more and develop Cathy. Just Cathy!! So exciting!

Freakin' Donuts and Muffins OH MY!

No, I did not even take one bite, but I took several photos in NATURAL light.

I think the donuts have catchlights too! But they didn't catch in OUR mouths.

The kids sure had a feast today, and muffins for breakfast tomorrow!
Thank you Jillian and Ted K! The kids say thank you!
Chocolate is my favourite! Thank goodness for 100 calorie packs!!




Don't they look good! P.S. Catie took those bites!!!