Ahh... the sweet smell of success! :]

So... a few days ago I joined a weight loss challenge with a bunch of members of my family!  We are calling it the 50 for 10.  You put in $50 and have to lose 10% of your body weight by the end of the challenge (March 29th).  If you meet your goal you get your money back and then split or get all of the money from the people that did not meet the goal.  A little family fun! :]  Well... we got quite a few people to join and the money pot is at $500.  Now that is some major motivation!  I am pretty excited about the challenge, because I needed something to spice up my routine and get me motivated.

I joined a gym by my house a few days ago- "Snap Fitness."  LOVE IT!  It has everything I need to get a great, well-rounded workout, it's totally cheap, it's only a couple of blocks from my house, and the best part of all is that it's open 24 hours.  I have worked my butt off (literally) at the gym these past few days & it has felt great!  I am super excited about the new year and my new start to a healthier, happier me! :]

Well... after eating healthy and working out like crazy at the gym these past few days I am very happy with the results!  I have lost 6 pounds these past three days.  I know that you lose a lot the first week, but dang!  I'll take that!  

Hope everybody has a wonderful weekend! :]

♥ Katie

Oriental Chicken Salad! Yumm! :]

So today I discovered a new love in life... It's name is Oriental Chicken Salad from Applebees! Holy yum!! :] 

Life is good...  My school semester starts this week, which I'm actually pretty excited about.  I'm taking American Government, Personal Economics, A Language Arts, & Psychology.  Should be pretty fun, especially psychology & government.  I'm taking them all online this semester so that I can be there for the birth of my sister's baby at the end of April.  That way I can stay there for a few weeks, get my work done while I'm there, and not have to worry about missing anything. 

I really need to get into the habit of cooking again!  That is going to be my goal for next week- cook at least 5 of the days of the week.  I have a few weight watcher cookbooks that I really like, but I could definitely still use some more ideas.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE(S) HEALTHY RECIPES?

♥ Katie

Yikes...

Well... this is by far the hardest blog post I've had to write...

I am:

ashamed

disappointed

saddened

overwhelmed

&

discouraged...

I faced the scale today for the first time in months.  After making horrible eating choices, not working out, and being really down on myself these past few months, not only did I lose all of the progress that I had made but I GAINED from my original starting weight. 

It's incredible how crummy that itty bitty scale can make you feel!  I realize that this is a pivotal moment in my life.  I am absolutely devastated, and could easily just throw in the towel.  In the past that is exactly what I would have done, but this is a NEW ME!  & I am not going to give up.  I am going to take this for what it is... a learning experience. 

Here are the MUCH DREADED STATS!:

Current Weight: 318.2 lbs.

That is a 3.2 lb. gain from my original start weight.  I am still in absolute shock!  & It's taking everything inside me not to fall apart...

But tomorrow is a new day!  I am going to wake up in the morning & move on.  

Goodnight All!

Hello 2010! A New Year- A Time For Change! :]

Hello all! :]  I have missed you dearly!

Life has been a crazy whirlwind these past couple of months, but I am officially committed to blogging for this new year.  A little late, but hey!  Better late than never, right?  I have really struggled with healthy choices these past two months.  I am going to put it behind me and start over!  I am ready to put forth the effort & will NOT give up on myself.  I am worth it :]

These past months in brief review:

I had a blast in sunny Arizona!

I am going to be an aunt!

I have a rekindled love for piano!

& I kicked my boyfriend to the curb who was doing nothing but bringing me down! :]

It has been a crazy couple of months, but afterward I am more enthusiastic than ever! & I am ready to turn my life around!  Hello new me :]

I will weigh in, set some new goals & elaborate more tomorrow!  Goodnight all!

♥ Katie

Missing In Action!

So... I have been a major blogging slacker!!!  Life has been hectic, and while I'm sure I could have made time to blog it just hasn't happened.  I have been helping to care for a close family friend with Leukemia.  It has been quite the rollercoaster... It's extremely hard to see somebody you love go through something so devastating and painful.  It's been really rough, especially since the recent passing of my grandfather- It brings back all of the memories I shared with him.

But anyways, I want to be better with my blogging because it most definitely helps to keep my butt in gear! 

So I'M BACK! :]

Goal Check In! :]

Here are the goals that I set for myself a couple of months ago!  I have come so far since then, and I feel I am a completely different person- inside and out.  Here are the updates on how my goals have been coming along :]

 

Daily Goals:

• Workout 5-6 days a week (including resistance training 3 times per week)

Reward: After committing to it for 1 month- I join the Wisconsin Athletic Club :] 

 

UPDATE:  I have worked harder these past couple of months than ever before!  I have a completely new found confidence in myself, because I am doing things I never thought I would be able to do.  I am so proud of myself!- something that I haven't been in years.  I haven't been completely on top of working out 5-6 days a week, but It is something that I am working towards being consistent with. 

• Take the dogs for a daily walk.

Reward: Well behaved dogs! :] 

 

UPDATE:  I did a really good job with this goal in the beginning, however as it has been getting colder I have been slacking.  Besides... the chihuahuas can't really endure much of any extreme weather- I need a stinkin' lab or something!

 

• Track & write down what I eat each day.

UPDATE:  This is a continuing struggle!  It seems so easy, but I seem to forget and/or not make time from day to day.  I need to just buckle down and DO IT!  I know that tracking what you eat is so important, especially during times of struggle!

• No soda
  

Reward: Having teeth when I'm older :] 

 

 UPDATE:  Going wonderfully!

• Blog each day about my weight loss journey!
  

Reward: My blogging friends inspirational comments & motivation! 

 

UPDATE:  Well.. I have done pretty well with this for the most part, other than my 2 weeks of being shamefully missing in action :(  But I am back on track!

• Drink 6 8oz. glasses of water each day.

UPDATE:  Going great!

• Eat 5 servings a day of fruits/vegetables.

UPDATE:  Yikes... hehe.  Definitely need to work on this one.  I'm usually getting between 2-4 servings.  Meal planning time!

• Take a daily vitamin.

UPDATE: Good :]

Short-Term Goals:

•   Lose at a rate of 1 and a half - 2 pounds a week.

UPDATE:  I have pretty much had a 2lb. consistent weight loss up until a couple of weeks ago where I really struggled.  I am back on track & am hoping for a great loss this week :]

•   Lose 20 lbs. by November 3rd, 2009
  

Reward:  $50 Shopping spree (clothes) for every 20 lb. loss.

UPDATE:  I have lost 10.6 lbs, which means I have 10.4 more pounds to lose in about two weeks.  While this is achievable, I don't know that it is realistic.  We shall see!

Long-Term Goals:

• Incorporate running into my daily workout routine. 

UPDATE:  I, for the first time since I was a child CAN RUN!!!  I started incorporating running into my workout about a month ago.  While listening to my ipod I run during all of the choruses.  It's a great workout & I am so proud of myself!

• BE POSITIVE!

UPDATE:  I have a completely new and improved outlook on life.  I have been so much more positive and am beginning to learn to love myself.  This is an amazing milestone!  I know I have a long ways to go, but as long as I stay positive I know I will succeed! :]

• Reach my goal weight of 155 lbs. by: April 14th, 2011 (my birthday)

Reward:  I couldn't possibly think of a greater reward than reaching this goal!  What a great gift it will be! 

 

I hope everybody has a wonderful day! :]

Over the Top Blog Award

So I'm a little late, but I need to fulfill my duties to my "Over The Top" blog award.

Here it goes...

1. Where is your cell phone?   in my pocket

2. Your hair? blonde

3. Your mother?  the most wonderful woman I know

4. Your father?  kind & caring

5. Your favorite food?  Mmm... Pizza!

6. Your dream last night? I don't actually remember any of them...

7. Your favorite drink?  Pink Lemonade OR Hot Chocolate

8. Your dream/goal?  To be happy in life

9. What room are you in?  My living room

10. Your hobby?  Horses, piano, & traveling

11. Your fear?  Failure...

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Happy & healthy with a beautiful family.

13. Where were you last night?  TGI Fridays with the family

14. Something that you aren’t?  Skinny..? hehe.

15. Muffins?  Mmm- blueberry!

16. Wish list item?  Get a new job.

17. Where did you grow up?  Milwaukee, Wisconsin

18. Last thing you did?  Checked my e-mail

19. What are you wearing?  Jeans & a Key West T-Shirt

20. Your TV?  Fox News :]

21. Your pets?  3 dogs- Tucker, Clifford & Bella

22. Friends?  They mean everything to me :]

23. Your life?  I love my life.

24. Your mood?  tired...

25. Missing someone?  yeah.

26. Vehicle?  Silver Mazda3

27. Something you’re not wearing? Socks...

28. Your favorite store?  Hmm.. that's a tough one.  Kohls? Old Navy? I dunno..

29. Your favorite color?  Pink

30. When was the last time you laughed?  Last Night

31. Last time you cried?  Friday...

32. Your best friend? Melissa

33. One place that I go to over and over?  Work

34. One person who emails me regularly? Sue :]

35. Favorite place to eat? Japanica.. I love Japanese food.. yum!

*Drum Roll Please*

I would like to grant the Over The Top Blog Award to the following bloggers!:

Tiffany

"Me" - What is your name anyways? hehe :]

Nicole

Missy

Tricia

Shmologna

I hope that everybody has a wonderful Sunday!

Boy Troubles...

So I'm really struggling right now with not wanting to hurt this guy's feelings... he is totally into me & I am just not feelin' it.. AT ALL!  On the other hand, I know that If I string him along and don't say anything It will hurt him more in the long run.  What do you say?  Help me ladies!!

Maybe if I wore my hat like this he would leave me alone!...

hehe :]

Hope everybody has a fabulous weekend!