Plateaus From Hell!

It's been so long I have no clue where to start.  I've kept pushing, but I've had weeks of little or no success, mindless munching, getting lazy about workouts, etc.  I lost my moyivation- my mojo to get it done and get it done right!  I got back on the wagon and have been trying hard for 2 weeks with no weight loss and I'm stumped.  ANOTHER plateau?  yep- the 200's have been plateau after friggin plateau and I'm about sick of them!  I'm at 127ish lbs lost as of now- fitting in most XL tops and 16/18 jeans at 218 lbs. (I'm 5'9").  I've made so many accomplishments and even working towards my 5K still so I'm just gonna keep pushing and hope I break this plateau quick, I want to be under 200 lbs by June 30th- I gave myself 90 days (started last week).  I've been hitting the lake with friends (10K), walking hilly areas, my biggest loser workouts and trying to pick fruit/ nuts over starchy snacks, but sometimes it's really hard... especially when Aunt Flow is in town, or about to be... I wish the cravings would go away during that time of the month, it always sets me back.... I try to ignore them- but they don't go away hardly ever... damn food addiction!  What are your go to snacks when you're craving something salty? What about chocolate & sweets?

Since the last time I posted I've found a wonderful boyfriend... he's amazing and treats me like a princess.  Definitely not used to it, but it's the most awesome feeling to find "The One" and know it from the get go.  We've known each other for 2 years, started talking in October on Facebook and started texting each other non-stop.  He lives in Arizona, I live in California- so we're doing the long distance thing for a few more months before he can move out here with me... I can't wait!  I have gone to visit him every month and miss him every minute of every day.. but in my heart I know he's my one and only.  I tend to fall off the ball a little bit when we visit, but mostly because traveling makes healthy eating somewhat difficult.  I've started eating out a little bit, trying to find healthy restaurants, even fast food so that when I'm on the road I don't have to settle for another damn nutrition/ protein bar- they're ok sometimes, but I can't eat them daily.  I love Pita Jungle!  I've eaten at only a few restaurants within the last 15 months of this healthy lifestyle, but don't find anything other than salads at most places and half the time the salads are loaded with more crap than other entrees lol.  I love Casa De Pico because they have a healthy menu with chicken avocado tacos with black beans thats to die for!  mmm mmm yum!  What restaurants with healthy choices do you go to? 

100+ lbs lost in less than 10 months- One day at a time!

I can't believe I've made it this far in this short amount of time, but somehow I have, and although I still have quite the journey ahead of me, I look forward to all the non-scale victories to come, because I tell you what, It's been one right after another! :)  I've lost 106 lbs since mid January and it feels great.  There have been many challenges and I'm sure there always will be but I'm doing ok and learning that slipping up happens and it's not the end of the world and learning to love myself in a way I never have before.  I finally feel like I can do anything I put my mind too, and grown to learn to know that there's just things in life you can't control and to just enjoy the simple things in life, and look at the positives, because they're everywhere- but you don't see them when you're bitter or angry abut something- I never again want to be in such a negative place as I once was at 345 lbs.  I'm about 8/9 lbs away from my first www.myfitnesspal.com goal of 230 lbs and that's crazy insane to me!  I'm going to reevaluate what weight I want to be soon and I'm having a hard time figuring this out because I don't want to be skinny, I want curves, but I want to be fit.  Everyone asks me, what's your secret and no one seems to believe me when I say just a healthy diet and exercise, but the main part is just learning to love ourselves, and realizing we're human and make mistakes and to just keep on going on with it.  Motivation is hard to keep going but it's so worth it I can't stop trying to make progress.  A couple weeks ago was my Brother's birthday party at an indoor rock climbing place.  I tried 3 different walls and was able to get halfway up one of them... in a few months I wan to go back and try again, I'm determined to get over my anxiety and make it up that wall!! lol  Here are a few before pictures, a few recent and current as well... seriously- If I can do this, anyone can.... you just have to learn to love yourself first and foremost and remember that you have 2 choices, progress or excuses! :)

A New Beginning....

So it's been about 2 months since I posted a blog- shame on me!  I moved back to San Diego, CA July 2nd, 2 of my besties, Ericka & Brenna came out to AZ to help me move back and here I am a month later just now making a post on here!  As of a few days ago I am down 84.4lbs - holy moly- can't believe I'm so close to 100 lbs gone- I feel like a different person is emerging, I feel my confidence getting better day by day and starting to embrace my many flaws and accepting me for me- no matter what size I am now, and where I've been and where I'll be by next year.  It seems it's taking my skin awhile to catch up- but I know eventually it'll tighten up- I hope!  LoL

I've been looking for work for so long now, and San Diego doesn't seem too much better job market wise so I'm just tryin to keep my chin up and praying for miracles.  Staying at my Mom's right now, and being 26- this is the last place I want to be.  LoL  One awesome part of living here though, is the clubhouse gym. I've been going 4-6 times a week doing 33 mins on the elliptical on weight-loss setting, and plenty of calisthenics and strength training.  I injured my foot, toes, and knee/ leg over a week ago and I haven't been able to put tennis shoes on yet but still been getting plenty of walking in by going to the beach as often as I can. :)

Here's my injuries- ick yes it hurts still a week later :(  I don't have an awesome story to share about my injury, just shitty flip flops, sand, ramp, and gravity LoL

I went out with my friend Brenna a week and half ago and we went dancing- I danced for almost 2.5 hours without stopping but for a few drinks- I've never had that much stamina before and I have to say, I was impressed with myself not to mention the pic I snapped of myself in the bar bathroom mirror- Where'd the rest of me go?! LoL  That's what I keep thinking when I catch my reflection everywhere!  :)  I can't wait to see where I'm at in another 6 months- it's CRAZY to even think about.... but I'm excited that's for sure.  Here's the pic I snapped:

Moving On...

So obviously it's been quite awhile since I updated this blog, nope I haven't fell off the wagon, the weight loss has slowed, but purposely by cutting back my everyday exercise to every other day unless I want to go do something active :)  I was getting burnt out exercising every single day and I want this to be for life so I knew I needed to cut back.  The loose skin isn't bothering me as much since I'm losing a little slower and I think the MSM soap is actually helping me a lot.

Now to why I've been MIA lately- April 28th my fiance of 2 years (together for 3 years) ended our relationship and I haven't been up to blogging, or much of anything other than trying to keep this healthy lifestyle up.  It's been hard with limited groceries, but I'm making it work.  I'm planning on moving back to San Diego, CA next month and I can't wait to be back home with my friends and family, and the BEACH!!!

As it stands right now I am down 65lbs- I can't believe how quickly I am shrinking!  lol  Everything in my closet fits or is too big on me now- it's an awesome feeling- I even fit into my jean skirt I wore my high school graduation back in 2003! YES!!! lol  I however need new clothes now, I'm running low on smaller sizes- and clothes look horrible when they're baggy and you wanna look decent!  haha  I've actually considered taking some of my clothes in to get taken in- anyone have any experience with prices for those types of alterations?

Here's the side by side pic I made when I hit my halfway mark on MFP- almost 10 lbs ago-

And here's some recent pics I've taken since!

                    

280lbs

Hope all my weight loss buddies are doing well, I'm sorry I've been so MIA and hopefully I'll be back blogging at least once a week- going through a lot of transitions right now, but I'll try and update once in awhile! <3 you all and thanks for all your kind words of encouragement, I really couldn't have done this without you all!!

Goal #1 Met & Other Victories!

Life has just been in the way of my posts this like week or so- been stressing out- my HS was out of control- I ended up in urgent care, then after a whole week down with flare ups, I got back to business with Bob and the Biggest Loser Workout videos- and then 2 days later woke up sick with a stuffy head, headache and itchy throat.- luckily the second day I was able to get a work out in, but Bob kicked my ass with Cardio Max!  My ass muscles still hurt 3 days later!!! lol  Yes I do in fact have muscles in places I never knew existed- it's quite a strange feeling, but I feel lighter on my feet and that's such a big deal to me- at first I didn't see the weight coming off, now I feel it and I know I'm well on my way to 100 lbs lost in a year.  My weigh in on Thursday I was down 4 pounds!  Even after being sick and only working out a few of the days- so I was super ecstatic- but for the main reason- because my scale said 299.8 lbs!!!!  That's right- I met my first goal of 299 and finally said adios to the 300's and now looking forward to beating down the 200's! :)  I literally had tears of joy streaming down my face and a big smile across my face. lol  I just weighed in this morning and I'm down another 3.2 lbs- crazy that I lost more weight this week exercising less than usual- Do you think this is just a great loss to make up for the last week, or I'm wondering if I was exercising too much before?  I was working out at least 5 times a week, Sometimes I have a day or 2 down a week from flare ups.... might be something to experiment with and see how I do.

I've been super worried about summer coming here in Arizona, and on Monday's hike I realized it's already too warm, we saw a rattlesnake and ever since I am feeling hesitant about hiking at all- I know they've been out there before now- but my anxiety was just so bad the rest of that hike I just don't know!  EKKK!  Sucker was about 2 ft long, fat and not very old since the rattle was pretty short- but now I feel super paranoid lol!

I find it super exciting that I can wear clothes I haven't fit into in years, but at the same time it's so annoying- my pants are all too big, or too tight still!  I realized I only kept my nice clothes so I'm really going to need to do some second hand shopping soon! :)  I've started folding up clothes that are too big on me and the pile keeps getting bigger and bigger as I try on clothes I wore in January- I'm swimming in most of them now! :)

Hope you're all having a great Easter weekend!

Take Before & Progress Pics!

So yesterday was weigh in day- was not expecting any loss since I haven't been able to workout since last Saturday.  Wednesday my flares got so bad I had to go to Urgent Care to get some antibiotics and pain medicine for the infections.  Well I stepped on the scale and was down .8 lbs after I ate half a grapefruit and drank some SoBe Lifewater- so we'll say a pound even without the exercise- so although 1 pound in a week is a way slower weight loss it makes me feel better that even when I'm down and out with a flare-up I will still lose something! :)  I was uploading some pics from my friend Sammie's camera from our trip in October last year to my hometown San Diego.  Here's some pictures from that trip- and I'll include newer pics since I started this journey-although I still have a long long way to go- I'm glad I'm where I am and no longer look like these next few photos!  lol

Here I am stuffing my face!  Perfect Before pictures with junk food in them lol

Me & Ericka (eeeekie on MFP) Oct 2010

 Me- same weekend

This picture I despise.... but it shows just how far I've come already- never going back to that!

Me & Sammie!

Me & Sammie Next day! (Oct 2010)

December 2010

And now for the most recent pics!

My Birthday Weekend February 2011- 1 month after lifestyle change

Same Night

 March 2011

 March 2011- 2 months in- 30 lbs down

April 8, 2011- 40 lbs down!

I'm needing motivation lately since I've been sick and out- so I figured looking through my progress pics could help me see what I've accomplished and to keep pressing forward- it definitely works- so if you haven't started taking pics at least once a month I encourage you to- even if you don't want to share them- for your own accountability and motivation. :)

Losing Weight While Dealing With a Debilitating Disease

         I haven't been very active blogging the last week or so because I've been stressed and down.  It comes with the territory of having a debilitating disease like the one I have called Hidradenitis Suppurativa.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradenitis_suppurativa This disease is genetic- but they aren't sure what genes or anything specific.  Unfortunately there hasn't been much research to help those of us who suffer from it, but I'm hoping to help change that.  I would go all into detail about HS- but you can research it if you're curious- just to warn you the pictures will be graphic and gross and if you're queazy just don't google it k?  lol  Basically my apocrine/ sweat glands get clogged and become infected and it is very very very VERY (I can not emphasize it enough) painful.  I've been dealing with it since puberty and there are no known treatments that really work well- some go into remission for years, but it can be brought on by hormonal changes and stress.  Unfortunately since I've started this lifestyle change the HS has gotten worse in areas- but I also know the smaller I get, the less folds of skin I will have- so in certain areas it could get better, even though other areas are worse, the weight loss has been wonderful for my depression the HS helped cause and I finally feel like I am able to be somewhat normal on my good days.  This last week was stressful- and I was lacking motivation because of it- and I stepped on the scale Sunday and I weighed exactly the same as Thursday- I was devastated because I always have a loss- even though I know I wasn't giving my 110% the few days before so I knew why- but I did workout each day and was under calories... so I guess just not pushing myself as hard stalled me.  I had also woke up with a new flare up on my inner thigh so no exercise yesterday or today- but I think tomorrow I should be able to- I miss my exercise- and my weight loss!  lol    I'm not sure why I'm so hard on myself- I obviously can't control the disease and I know I've done great having to deal with the HS- I just hate wasting time when I could be dropping more pounds!  :)  I think I'm addicted! At least for once in my life it's a healthy addiction!  :)