Survival of the Skinnies

Well guys, I have finally, FINALLY, reached the end of the biggest loser challenge.  At some points, it seemed like the longest twelve weeks of my life.  And while it's over, I woke up this morning thinking, "I really want to go to the gym and run for a bit before we leave for GB."  Guess what they say about forming habits, has a bit of truth to it.         

 

So a bit of a rewind.  Back in January, I had definitely reached my point where something had to change. My clothes weren't fitting the way I wanted, I felt like all I did was step on the scale and watch the numbers go up, more than they would go down. I wasn't out of control by any means, but there was a number I was getting close to reaching on the scale, that I did not want to see.  (I call it my turning point #)  So in December, with January 1st quickly approaching, I convinced HR to start a Biggest Loser Challenge.  I figured out most of the details, typed up the rules, created spreadsheets to track the weight, found my teammates and... so the journey began. 

 

I was really strict the first couple weeks, (like we all are, right?!!) and then the struggles started to set in.  Sometimes it's just too easy to say yes, than it is to remember what you are working for.  Anyone who has ever done something similar knows what I am talking about.  It's so easy at first, effortless almost, to get weight off.  And even though you are fully aware there will be some ups and downs, it's still frustrating. 

 

During my journey, I encountered super bowl, birthdays, valentines day, weddings, vacations, celebration dinners, surgeries, basketball gatherings, audits....and countless other events that could have easily sent me in the wrong direction. I'm not saying I never slipped up during this whole competition, because trust me, sweet tooth's do not disappear overnight.  But on numbers alone, I at least did a couple things right in the last 12 weeks. 

 

I also did a lot of pinteresting in the last twelve weeks, and if you follow me I'm sure you can attest to that.  I just love finding skinny recipes that I could actually eat (and quick workouts too!).  I think I'm starting to get more skinny recipes than non-skinny recipes, and I'm totally okay with that. 

 

During the final biggest loser week at work, our entire 60 minute lunch gatherings were consumed by us naming every item that we wish we could consume but couldn't (brownie sundae's, wings, cookies, etc).  And while I did do some celebrating yesterday by eating Mexican food at my favorite restaurant, I really have no desire to go overboard.  Sometimes it fun just to think about all the yummy things I could eat (hey, a girl can dream, right?!!?!)  Like I said, I have not lost my sweet tooth.

 

And so, the results.  I ended up coming in 5th place overall with a little over 7% lost.  (My at home results are 8.1%)  Our team took first place with 88 lbs lost (22 lbs of that coming just from yesterday...we had our eye on that prize).  Two of my teammates came in first and fourth (go Chase & Tiffani!)  Chase actually took home the grand prize by losing 16.67% and 52.8 lbs.  Holy. Moly.  He got to take home $327. 

 

So, my final weight loss #'s look a little like this:

 

Beginning weight: 145.4

Ending weight: 133.6

Difference: 11.8 lbs

 

Beggining waist: 31

Ending waist: 27

Difference: 4

 

Beginning arms: 11.5

Ending arms: 10.5

Difference: 1

 

Beginning hips: 39

Ending hips: 36

Difference: 3

 

Beginning thigh: 21

Ending thigh: 19

Difference: 2

 

Grand Total for 12 weeks:  11.8 lbs, 10 inches

 

Before and After Pics

Who's ready for the beach?!?! :) 

Hope everyone has a great Easter!  I'm going to celebrate by drinking some Diet Dr. Pepper (which is what I gave up for lent :) )

 



Operation Garage

As an accountant, I like organization. I like structure. Chaos and I do not see eye to eye. My anxiety level rises the moment I step foot in our garage, because of all the clutter. I finally reached my breaking point with it this weekend. So as a rainy day found our household, we found garage organization.

Before and after pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Sand 'n Sun

 

123 days until we will be here....

 

 

 

Biggest Loser - 2 month update

So it's been a while since I have posted anything about my progress.  I have had some ups and downs, but as of late, I have been really searching for some motivation.  Gone are the days of 2 and 3 pound losses, and I'm getting to the point where I am struggling to see a loss of 0.2.  And, while I am REALLY close to one of my goals, I am really struggling to finish it out.  Ugh.  Someone slap some sense into me!

I have been super busy at work, and this past weekend I had a cupcake wedding to deliver to in KC.  Let's just say I am struggling to find and extra free hour to spend at the gym.  I have been doing some workouts at the house, here and there, but not the 4 or 5 days a week for a least an hour, like I feel I should be. 

So tonight, I did something that I was going to wait until the end of March to do.  At this point I'm desperate for motivation, and I am oh-so-glad I did.  Tonight, ladies and gents, I broke out my camera and loaded up all my weekly pics to do a side-by-side.  

Talk about a shocker.  I have obviously seen some progress on the scale, however, there were a few weeks that I gained a pound, but in these pictures, you can see positive changes...every....single....week.  There were even times when I was taking the pictures where I thought I probably looked better the week before, or that I should skip, because I had gained or my numbers were pretty much the same.  Oh how glad I am that I stuck with it and took all the pictures anyways. 

So....drum roll please.....

Let me just say a few comments about the photos. 

• One, these are not edited, enhanced or photoshopped.  (Jay's comment was "it looks like you have been photoshopped" lol)
• Two, I didn't feel as disgusting in that moment, as I do looking at it now.  Yes, I felt like I needed to tone up, but apparently not as much as I needed to. 
• Three, I didn't realize how much of a difference 9 lbs can make.  I know I have gained muscle and toned up but, when I look at these pictures, it really put things into perspective. 
• Four, after participating in this activity, I HIGHLY recommend this activity for anyone who is trying losing weight.
• Five, I have not starved myself.  I have not taken any supplements.  I have ate healthy (with some cheat days), cut out a lot of pop, and worked-out.
• And finally, I literally keep having to remind myself that this is what I now look like.  We all see ourselves everyday, so sometimes its hard to notice the changes, good and bad.  I keep telling myself "Jenna, that picture was 4 days ago, that's how you look now, 4 days ago"  It still isn't quite setting in. 

So friends, moral of the story, even though I am exhausted, and I have a busy day tomorrow, motivation is back!  Guess who won't be skipping a workout tonight?!?!? This girl. 

Rock Chalk,
Jenna