Work out with a friend!!

How working out with friends has benefited me:

1. Quality time together (even if you can't speak):

I've always found that I look forward to running or taking a group exercise class when I'm meeting someone there.  The brief moments before class, when you can quickly catch up with that person (and then the "crazy glances" during class to each other when you feel like you are about to die...)  

2. Kept me motivated

When I was training for my most recent 5K I trained with a friend of mine.  There were times I didn't feel like running, but I didn't want to let her down.  So I just did it.  

3. Gave me the guts to push to the next level.

The friend I was training with for the 5k was a "new runner" so I constantly pushed her to the next level (while also pushing myself). 

4. Trying something new together. 

I recently got to know one of the couples in my neighborhood, on more of a personal level.  Well guess what?!  They LOVE working out!  So the wife and I are going to try a CrossFit Class (OMG!!)  I would have NEVER tried this class by myself.  This coming Tuesday is our first class (so this may be my last blog post...lol)

5.  Don't let each other QUIT!

Going back to the 5k training I used the following phrases on a regular basis when talking to my friend.  "You can go ahead and hate me but you should be proud of how fast we ran that mile"  "You can punch me when we're done"  "I know you hate running, but you are doing great"  "You will never speak to me again but we are going to push it until the end of this mile"    

Find a friend, make a plan and stick to it!! 

Wish my BFFs were closer, I'd MAKE them run and workout with me!! 

Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Run....

Today was the Jingle Bell 5K Run that benefited the Arthritis Foundation.  

I ran in memory of my Grandmother who suffered from Arthritis for as long as I can remember (and maybe even longer than that). 

Last night I did in fact have the full blown stomach flu.  I just prayed and prayed that I could make it to my run today, I didn't want to let my friend down who I helped train for this 5K.  

I got myself up and made it out to the run.  The forecast today was 46 degrees and rainy.  There seemed to be a break in the rain during the duration of the run.  With the condition outside and my physical condition I was just praying that I could finish the race without walking (or getting sick).  

Not only did we finish the race but we finished a few seconds ahead of our team goal.  We set a goal when we started training to run our 5K in 33 minutes we ended up finishing at 32 minutes and 47 seconds. 

My friend and I ready for the race!  I'm so proud of us! 

We met up with my Uncle who was also running in the race.  

Find me on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheSkinnyOnSprout

The Stomach Bug has hit The Sprouts the day before my run....

Here is my daughter A, snuggling with her puke bucket...

My daughter woke up at 4am this morning sick to her stomach, she has been on the recliner ever since.  Meanwhile my hubby is upstairs in our bed with a fever and a stomachache.  

I'm in denial that my stomach hurts because I'm scheduled to run a 5K tomorrow afternoon. I ran out to pick up my race packet, but now I'm in for the rest of the day.   I'm really hoping to take it easy the rest of the day (in between caring for the rest of the family).  

My shirt!! 

The Side by Side

Here is the side by side:

This is me...

Hi! Thanks for taking a moment to read my story.  The purpose of my blog is to motivate and inspire others "If she can do it I can do it"!  I'm also hoping to gain inspiration and motivation from my readers to keep me moving along my weight loss journey.  

I love to cook (and eat) so I'm also going to be including some lower calorie recipes that my family loves (and that are easy to make). 

I'm not a good photographer and my cell phone pics may make you cringe, so sorry.   

I am a stay at home mom of two children, a 7 year old girl and a 3 year old boy.  I started to gain weight shortly after I got married to my husband in 2004 I weighed around 170 lbsish.  I didn't really think it was that bad, and then I got pregnant.  **Side Note** One thing you will find out quickly is that I have a horrible horrible memory.  I think the biggest I got after having my daughter was around 200 lbs.  At that point I pretty much stopped taking pictures of myself (my excuse was "I'm the one taking the pictures").  I also started using the excuse (after seeing myself in the pictures that were taken of me) "That is just a bad angle" or "I wasn't ready when they took the picture" .  When I saw myself in the mirror I honestly did not see a "fat" person.  Once again using another excuse "I know the scale says I'm 200 lbs but I surly don't look it"

Fast forward to April 2009 the day I walked in to the hospital to have my son I tipped the scales at **gulp** 272lbs!  I know I said I had a bad memory, however, this was something I was never going to forget.

So this was me in July 2009:   232 lbs  Size 20 Jeans 

 I was able to successfully lose 50 lbs between July 2009 and February 2010.  My husband was deployed to Iraq during that time and I was very motivated to lose weight for when he got home.  I went to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and watched what I ate.  And then he got home....  

He was obviously very proud of me, but I almost immediately put 10 lbs back on.  The thing I couldn't figure out was that I was STILL going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, I had even started running 3 miles.  But the scale would not MOVE.  I started to get discouraged and the gym visits would get fewer and fewer. 

 This is me March 2011: 192 lbsish Size 14 Jeans 

(I still feel like this is just a really bad picture)

Finally at the end of February 2012 I just had enough.  I always get asked "Why then? What motivated you to do it?"  I can't give you an answer, I guess I just got tired of not losing weight.  I figured out the points plus formula and got myself a WW calculator and took off.  Once I added in a low calorie diet with working out my lbs melted off of me.  Now that I'm within 5 to 10 lbs of my goal weight it is harder.  I went from losing a few lbs a week (in the beginning) to losing about 1/2 lb a week if I'm lucky.  I do a lot of toning so as I'm not dropping lbs quickly, I am dropping inches.  

Here is me in October 2012: 143 lbs Size 4 jeans

Here is a "fun" one  from the beginning of November 2012 during my 30th Birthday/Halloween party:

When I set out on my journey I never imagined I'd be between a size 4 and a size 6.  I can't help being proud of myself. So will you join me in the rest of my journey?