Size 8

So Annie has been on my case about how all my clothes are too baggy.... Well, we didn't have class today so naturally we did some top notch retail therapy instead of homework.

 

I was in need of some new skinnies, so I broke down and bought a couple of pairs....size 8 everyone! I can distinctly remember the last time I wore a size 8 pair of pants. It was the sixth grade, Mr. Jurek's class. How insane is that! I still can't believe it. In the last 5 months I've gone from a 16 to an 8 :) It really goes to show you that hard work pays off!

 

Oh, three other highlights from today.
1) ran 2 miles at 11:45 pace
2) got to go to Pilates!
Have I mentioned how much I love pilates. Mondays and Thursdays are my favorite just because I get to spend 45 minutes in pilates.  The instructors are wonderful and the class gets to decide which muscle areas we work on during class. Love that.
3) got a card (of Si from Duck Dynasty) and a gas card from my parents for hitting my goal!!

 

  

 

Until tomorrow :)

C 

Inspiration

There is no way that I would've been able to accomplish a single thing over the last six months without inspiration.  My original inspiration was to look amazing and almost unrecognizable at Megan's Wedding (pretty much accomplished), my inspiration now is friends. Without my friends I don't know where I would be.  I can't imagine not having them with me: on the long run days, at bootcamp, in the gym, or in the cafeteria.  It would not be possible for me to stay together without their support.  I know that when I have a rough day, feel beat after a workout, or want an ice cream cone, they'll be there for me no matter how far away they are.  Katie and Bailey are the only two people that truly understand how far I've come and how determined I am to reach the finish line (19 more pounds).

 

It has been a challenge to find people to workout and share my journey with while at school.  Most college students are worried about what parties they are going to hit on the weekend, not that they are cutting into their two hours of gym time by finishing a reading assignment for class.  That is how my mind works now.  I am so sad when I lose even five minutes of "me time" in the gym.  The gym is the only place that I feel happy when I am at school. I used to love going out, going to SJU, going into town, but now all of those places are full of temptations that are obviously difficult to move past.  I have really been trying to meld my life from home to school, but I am not going to lie, it is the hardest thing I have ever done.  I would gladly lose another 40 pounds at home than be here and try to do it. College is difficult for normal people, trying to live a healthier life is not easy when the cafeteria serves chicken nuggets, cheese curds, pizza, and pasta.

 

 

I have been contacted recently by a few people from back home who have been inspired by my story. THANK YOU for telling me! I love hearing from people :)  I want to be your motivator, inspiration, role model.  Anyone who has dieted or lost a significant amount of weight will tell you that you, yourself, do not see the weight you've lost.  I still feel like I look the exact same as I did six months ago.  I know I don't, but I know that person to be me and I am definitely not used to the new me yet.  Please, email me, facebook message me, comment below.  I want to hear your stories!

 

I thought this quote was fitting for today :)

 

I found this on pinterest. I love tea and it's health benefits are INSANE! Trade in your coffee people. Tea will make a huge difference in how you feel, believe me!

 

Make sure you check back tomorrow, it'll be a good post, I promise :)

Until Tomorrow,

 

C

Starbucks, the old me, and the new.

This morning I stopped at Starbucks because Ashley had a flat tire on her way to work so she was going to be late.  I tried something new and I am SO glad that I did.  I think I have found my new drink.  Zen Tazo tea!  It is so good, definitely a great pick me up for these cold mornings.

 

This morning I instagrammed this picture....can you believe the difference?  The picture on the top left is from April...on a trip that I lost weight and worked out for! I can't believe it.  I can't wait to go on that same Arkansas hiking trip (hopefully this spring break) and kick some real Ozark booty.

This is my face when I got outside (it was raining and we had some horrible winds) to go for my run!

THANK THE LORD I DID IT! It felt so good after I actually hit the pavement.  Today was my first shortish run (2.5 miles) on the training program.  I felt really strong and didn't run with my music, just wanted to hear myself breath to coach myself in understanding that heavy breathing does not mean time to walk.  It means that you are actually doing something worth doing!

 Take a moment to check out that split time.  My goal is to keep myself between 12-14 minutes for every mile of my 10K.  This is going to be a challenge, but I have a feeling that if I keep up this course of training, it'll be much easier.

 

 Yesterday I mentioned that I am really going to try and eat out of Gorecki for at least thre nights a week until the wedding.  So this is my "meal plan".  I will post it again on Sunday for next week.  I decided to try and use this as my grocery shopping guide.  This week I am going to try and use up all of the frozen meals that my mother has sent me over the last couple of months.

 

 

Please let me know of any healthy recipies that you've been trying! 

 I am in need of some "cooking for one" inspiration :)

 

Until tomorrow :)

 

C

Dinner is served!

With T-18 days until the wedding, I am now in super-clean eating mode.  I have decided to forgo the dining center for at least three dinners each week from now until the wedding.  So today after pilates, I got to heat up some of Mom's turkey cornflake meatballs, squash, mushroom sauce, and mashed potatoes.

From the picture it probably looks gross, but I cannot explain to you how delicious it was. 

The reason I've decided to for go the dining center for the next three weeks is to know exactly what I am putting in my body! I really would like to lose another 5 or so pounds before the wedding and I think that along with training this will be the best way to do that.

This has become my new motto.  Every single day when I workout I have the confidence of a super hero.  I feel untouchable. I know that every single minute of my 90 to 120 minutes in the gym are just for me, no one else.  I am the most important part of my life and I truly LOVE every minute of being the new me.  I cannot wait to see everyone's faces when I come out in my dress in 18 days :) There are some people who I will get to see at the wedding who I haven't seen in almost a year, how crazy is it going to be for them to see the new me?

 

 

Until tomorrow :)

 

C

The big 4-0!

Today was a monumental day, I HIT THE BIG 4-0! I have officially lost 40 pounds since I started my journey in May.  I cannot believe it. Dad finally owes me my new heart monitor watch.  I can't wait to find the right one so that I can start training with it for the 10K!

I started a training program for my 10K on Friday, so of course I had to transfer it to a cute calendar so that I can stay on track with my pre-wedding workouts as well. 

Heres me after my first "long" run....my usual 3 miles.  I have never really run when it was cold out before, so my lungs are definitely not used to it.  I am going to have to get out and run early every few days now so I get used to it before my chilly November race.

This weekend I went to visit Katie at the U!  We had a great time catching up, going out with friends, and exchanging good food ideas!

Me and Tanner

Me and Katie

Today, I went out to breakfast with my family, it was great to see Uncle Mark, Kim, and Jamie! 

All I can say is that I never thought that I would ever be at this point in my weight loss. 40 pounds.  I can barely remember what it's like to be that heavy.  Here's a picture I found of my first time meeting LJ.  This was at the end of May, I honestly don't even look like the same person!

Here are some monuments I have accomplished thus far:

I went from a size 16 pair of jeans to now an 8/10.
I went from a shirt size of XL to now a M.
Ran 2 5k races and am signed up for my first 10K. 
I am officially lighter than the weight on my drivers liscense!

My best piece of advice is to surround yourself with good people, that is going to be your key to success. They will be there when you need it most!

Until tomorrow :)

C

Work, work, work

I know I haven't exactly been a daily blogger lately, but I have a reason I promise.  I have been working crazy hours.  When I get up at 5:30am to get ready to go to work by 7, don't get home until 3, workout for at least an hour, then do homework for class, yes, I am absolutely exhausted.  We started reading rotations this week so I have definitely been putting in extra time to make sure that my lessons are ready for eachday! I am so grateful for the chance to teach, but this week has been a rough one with all of my normal school work on top of my workload. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

Found this in a giftshop and I LOVE it!
 

It was long weekend on campus so we didn't have class on Monday or Tuesday, so I worked all day.  It was nice to be there and get some work done, but it has definitely had it's drawbacks.  My workouts have been a bit pathetic this week. I have only been getting about an hour in, which for me lately is absolutely nothing.  But today I am going to change that!  Since it is so gorgeous I am going to go for a run before pilates, then try and get some more homework done.  I don't have to work tomorrow so I am going to go for a nice long run in the morning too. 

Oh, I didn't get to blog about my biggest thrill this week...SIGNING UP FOR MY 1ST 10K!!  Thanksgiving day can take its dear sweet time coming this year because I am going to need all the time I can get in order to be able to run the entire 10k.  I am so excited, it'll be the first time Katie, Bailey, and I will be reunited since August.  Is that not insane? 

We are all starting to run like crazy! So proud that Bails got her first "runners high"

 

 In love with my new shirt from H&M, SIZE MEDIUM people! Be proud.

 

Today was my favorite lunch, Strawberry Spinach Salad :)

 

I never thought I would live to see the day that my mom got instagrammed for #tbt (Throwback Thursday).  What the heck?  So of course I had to text her and she was extatic, today was a crazy day at work for her so this is exactly what she needed!

 

 

Tomorrow I have two classes and then I am heading to the cities to work for a bit then I will be REUNITED with Katie! I am so excited, hopefully we'll get a good workout in on Saturday morning. 

 

Stay tuned :)

 

 

C

Case of the Monday's? I think not....

Yesterday, unfortunately I didn't get a chance to blog, but I had a wonderful day with Annie.  We explored the CSB campus a bit and hiked to Lake Sarah. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. As we approcahed the lake a flock of geese was just taking off, tears may have been shed.  It was the most amazing thing that I have ever seen.  I cannot wait to take more people to this special place. It is so peaceful and calm, you would never think it would be nestled in little St. Joe.

Lovely Lake Sarah!

 

Today and tomorrow we don't have class so I am spending my time at work.  Here was my outfit for kindergarten today.  I LOVED IT!

 

Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Shirt: Charming Charlie's

 Red Capris: Forever 21

 

So I am going to share a little story about these pants.  When I was heavier I would buy things without trying them on and then when I would get home, throw it in my closet and it'd probably never see the light of day.  These pants were purchased a couple of years ago and today was the first time I wore them.  I discovered this gem of a pair of pants when my Mom brought up my "fall" clothes box on Saturday  I love the vivid color and the fact that they are a little baggy makes me feel even better! :) I love that something as simple as an outfit can brighten your entire day.

 

Until tomorrow,

C