Water Tracker

 

Day One (04/30/24): 40 oz

75 Soft Challenge

Date Started: 4/30/24
Date Finished: 07/12/24

I've seen the videos going around Tiktok of people who have completed this and felt it was more of a mental challenge versus a physical challenge. I've spent the last month focused on creating healthy habits. This isn't necessarily about losing weight but about gaining control over my body. I want to be better for myself, my daughter, and my husband. I am using 75 soft more as a guideline versus a strict model. I don't want to be in that all or nothing mentality because for me that never works.

1) I have been eating low-carb for a month now. We have cut out sugar. We still use Splenda as a sweetener but we are no longer using regular sugar. I aim for 150 net carbs a day. I'm using MyFitnessPal to track everything. I love the ease of scanning in my items and going. Sometimes you have to check the information because the net carbs aren't always correct but most times it's on point. I focus more on protein intake. I'm not counting calories, just carbs. I have virtually cut out alcohol. I realized in a random conversation with my husband that I was an alcoholic for years. I hid it under the guise of only drinking socially but it was still alcoholism. I am not getting any younger and these are the most important years to retain my body and protect it.

2) This one is also easy as a starter. My current job is very demanding and I am on my feet moving my entire ten hours shift. On my off days my daughter and I will wander around window shopping and we're usually out for a few hours. I want to also incorporate Walk Away The Pounds videos to get some consistencty going.

3) The dreaded water. I am so proud of the people in this world that can drink water. It is my Achilles heel. I am the worst water drinker. Three liters of water equals about 101 ounces. I am going to try my best to hit that as closely as possible.  I am going to keep a tracker going of the water I'm drinking and the goal is to increase my ounces and aim for that 101. 

4) This one should be an easy one for me. I fell behind right as I reignited my love for reading because all of the news of our health started popping up. I don't want to lose reviewing because it is a passion of mine and something I've been really excited about getting back into.

Here's to 75 soft!

Return To Blogland

 It's been awhile! I wanted to give myself some time before I started to dive back into blog land. I needed time to process, start a lifestyle change, and really decide what I wanted for myself. My life has been changing and over the last year so much has happened. I used to heavily lean on the blogging as an outlet for myself but then of course we are ever changing. But blogging was a big source of my coping through life.

It's been over a year! That's insane to me.

On March 21st my husband and I went to the doctor. Part of this was because my mother was recently diagnosed with Lupus and its heriditary so she wanted to find out if I had it as it would explain a lot of my health problems. The other part of this is that my husband and I aren't getting younger and we're heading into our older years where the health problems really start to surface.

On March 21st I went to the doctor fasting, I weighed in at 234. That is the heaviest I've been in a long time. It was an eye opener. I didn't worry too much about my weight though because my husband has always shown me that he loves me for me. That I'm perfect just the way I am. That he'll never love me any less because of appearance.

Oh? Did I mention we got married? We married on July 14th of last year. I can't believe its been nearly 3 years together and nearly a year married. Time flies when you're truly happy. A is almost done with the 6th grade and just turned 12 in February. She is truly an amazing person and I can't wait to see the future for her.

Anyways, let's get back on track. I found out I have Lupus and symptoms of PCOS. My husband and I decided it was time for a lifestyle change. It was time for us to take the reigns and get control. We weren't going to lose the weight over night but we could work on it together. Having support is everything. He is being as restrictive as I am but he's made amazing strides.

This is my current weight. I was even lower than this my third week but we ate out a lot during the fourth week. It was a huge regret because it made me feel like trash. I was feeling so much better with the changes we made that the splurge or laziness to cook and order out, really made me pay for it. For the first month though I am down 4.8 pounds which is amazing! I am so proud of myself for being diligent and tracking everything I'm eating. 

I started this lifestyle change April 5, that puts me in day 25 of tracking everything I am eating. Only 65 to turn into a lifestyle change. Now that I have tracking down, I am onto a challenge. I have an accountability partner and I'll be checking in with her on Sunday's and Wednesday's.

It's Been Over a Month!

Buckle up my lovelies, this is gonna be a book! If you don't make it, I get it haha! 

 Overwhelmed is a understatement for how this last month has been. I started off so strong but it's always something little that snowballs us out of control, isn't it? Right around when I stopped posting my job starting letting people go. It was people of tenure. It was people being let go for unfair reasons. It made my anxiety spike through the roof because I don't do well with change or that uneasy feeling that I could be next. Right around the time that happened an opportunity arose to come back to a company I previously worked for at a higher pay. As much as I was apprehensive about coming back, I took it because it was a job that I was great at. The pay was the biggest reason I left.

January was a (excuse my language) clusterfuck. Around the beginning of the month both of my parents tested positive for covid and strep. It's their fourth or fifth time having it. It's not scary at this point, just annoying it keeps catching them. The week they were cleared from it, my fiance tested positive and then a few days after him I tested positive. I told ya, it was a long month. It was both of our first time having Covid. I never knew my bones could hurt so badly. Not to be overdramatic, but it truly felt like the end of times. I couldn't hardly move around the house. The loss of taste and smell was just annoying. We finally get to feeling better and think life is great. On the 29th I'm getting to take my daughter to my mom's so she can sleep for school and my mom asks me to entertain her and test her for covid. For those of you that have been around for awhile you know that my daughter always gets sick around her birthday month. It has been happening since she was two years old. She had her same yearly symptoms and in hindsight I should have caught that it was a bit different than her usual yearly crap. Sure enough, she was positive. After arguing with urgent care and finally getting them to confirm her diagnosis she was to miss school for the week. Apparently the biggest problem with children getting covid is that they are asymptomatic and don't present covid in any of the ways like adults do. They think she had it for awhile before testing positive and it's how we all got it. Thankfully she was fine with sleep and otc meds. 

The following Monday is when the ice hit Texas. So my daughter ended up getting a week off of school excused anyways. By the time we got through everything anything to do with weight loss was shot. There are no excuses although I could give you plenty.

Part of my motivation to lose weight is in the hopes it will us in our fertility journey. My eighteen year old self could never imagine it would become so difficult to get pregnant. The one year anniversary of our miscarriage is quickly approaching and the waves of depression that keep hitting me are overwhelming. Every month you hope your period doesn't show. You begin to read entirely too much into the littlest body changes. Have I been nauseous? Are my breasts sore? Is my period really late or is it just playing with me this month?

Then you test.

One line.

And just like that my heart shatters all over again. I am trying so hard to keep a positive mindset but it feels like the odds are against us. I just wish my body would cooperate because I have always wanted more children and it feels like now that I'm in a great place in life, it should come naturally. I know it will happen when the time is right and not a moment sooner but it is so hard to remain positive at times.

Now we are in February and I am so happy to be getting back on track. I have a few tough days ahead of me in the coming months that I know will trigger depression. The one year anniversary of our miscarriage is coming up in March and then in April will make one year since my grandmother passed away. I am most definitely not prepared for either one but thankfully I have an amazing support system rooting me on and keeping my positive.

On a positive, bittersweet note in just 14 short days my beautiful daughter will be turning 11!! I can't believe I am momma to nearly an 11 year old! She is such an incredible kid and I am so proud of her. She just received an award for A/B honor roll. She is a great cat momma. She is so loving and sweet. I truly couldn't ask for a better kiddo.

For now, I am working on smaller portions and increasing water intake. I have been trash with any kind of accountability or weight loss but that is behind me and it is now a fresh month. Later today I will post where I am weight wise and what my tentative plan is.

Brightest Blessings Lovelies!

Weigh In

 

It's that day of the week! It has definitely gotten easier to track what I'm eating and to be more conscientious of what I'm putting in my body. I find myself measuring my portion sizes and counting out the amount of what I'm eating. Today we celebrated our Christmas dinner and I did splurge because I worked hard to make it a special meal for our family. I made a roast, roasted up some carrots and potatoes, rolls, and gravy. I did limit myself to a smaller plate but I did allow myself to enjoy the meal. On the soda front, I am only drinking a diet one here and there. I've had no energy drinks! Overall this hasn't been easy but I am determined. My next goal is to get down a pant size and work on getting more water in my system.

Starting weight: 228

Previous weight: 224.6

Weekly Weight Loss/Gain: -1.8

Total Weight Loss/Gain: -5.2

This is so excited! I am officially the smallest I've been in a really long time. Nearly out of the 220s! Can't wait to see the continued progress!

Motivation

Weigh In

Previous: 228

Difference: -3.4

This is a more accurate weigh in. It is the smallest I've been in a long time. I slid off track but I've been really good about staying on track and tracking everything. I have nine months to get to weight that makes me happy. Just gotta stay strong and keep pushing!

Happy News!

 

I said yes!! I'm engaged! 💍 

Even more motivation to lose weight and stay focused! The ring was a little small so I'm having it resized but I should have it back soon. I can't wait!

Back To The Grind

It has been quite some time since I've focused on my weight loss journey. A great deal of that I owe to finding comfortability in my own skin. Learning self-love and how to appreciate my body for all that it has gone through over the years. I still have days where I look in the mirror and I feel disheartened at what I see but overall, my outlook has been much better these days compared to how I use to treat my body. My s/o is consistently reassuring me that there is nothing wrong with my body. That he enjoys me as I am. I am doing this for myself. I've been talking about wanting to get back into the grind of things for awhile now and I decided that I am never going to get anywhere by thinking about it. I am not going in restricting myself or making big drastic changes as I have previously. Instead, I am using what I have on hand already and will add in healthier options when I grocery shop next.

I am big about accountability. I have to hold myself accountable in order for me to feel like I'm achieving I have learned that I have to see everything I am doing. I am a visual person and physically seeing everything tracked and worked on will help me in the long run. It also helps when it comes to deciding whether or not to splurge.

I am going low-carb this time. I will be tracking everything on MyFitnessPal. I will also be documenting my journey on here as well. I am going to cut out sodas and energy drinks. I have been working on drinking more water as well. I know I have what it takes to succeed, I just need to keep myself motivated and have the drive to push myself.

The last time I weighed myself on here was September 5th, 2018 and I weighed in at 235.4

On MyFitnessPal the last time I logged a weigh in was May 6th, 2021 and I weighed in at 239. 

This weigh in isn't 100% accurate because it was taken in the afternoon after eating. My first true weigh in won't be for two weeks due to my schedule but this gives me an idea of where I'm starting. I am surprised by this weigh in but also really excited by it. 

I have already started tracking my food diary and started cutting out the sodas. I am really excited to go low-carb because it is a long term healthy decision and I won't be relying on dietary aides as I have in the past.

Brightest Blessings Lovelies, it is definitely good to be back.

 

Slim-Fast Journey

This was literally the first week of Slim Fast. I haven't been sticking to it 100% but I will be this week. Last week was really hectic but this week I am refocused and back on track. This is how I know this journey is different. I don't let a setback hold me back. I keep pushing forward. I keep making sure I do my best everyday. My hip injury has made me nervous but I want to see bigger losses on the scale. I want to see what happens when I give 110%. Now that I am on a set schedule I have my slim-fast laid out so I am ready for the day. I am not sticking to their products, I have made it so it doesn't cost a large amount. The products I've bought make the journey only around 20 a week. The biggest expense is the shake mix (6.98) and the meal replacement bars (10.98). The snacks aren't 100 calories but stay pretty close. I am logging everything I eat and if I use my dinner early, I make sure to eat a meal replacement bar for dinner. I like Slim Fast because it gives me control. It helps me stay on track and it encourages me to keep my metabolism up.

According to another blog with Slim Fast the weight lost in a 60 day period is 3-10. I'm going to show you how wrong you are. Previously on Slim Fast before I quit I had lost over 30 pounds on it. That was sticking to the meal set up and working out daily. I am 18 days into my journey and already down 4.4 pounds, and that's not being 100% on Slim Fast. Let's see how much more I lose in 42 days.

The taste of the mix is really yummy with the skim milk I take. I also use a shaker bottle which blends it really well. To me, there isn't a strong aftertaste. Slim-fast encourages you to eat every 2-3 hours. I start my morning with a meal replacement shake. In a few hours I eat a snack around 100 calories, a few hours later it's meal bar time, then another snack, then dinner, then another snack. That is three snacks, a meal shake, a meal bar, and then a balanced 500 calorie dinner. As soon as I start to feel hungry, it's time to eat again. For me personally, it is teaching me self-control. To be aware of my body and what I am putting in it. I don't deny myself, if I am craving something I eat it and log it. I am honest with my body.

So far so good, can't wait for the next weigh in. :)

Weigh-In

Previous Weight: 238.0

Current Weight: 235.4

Loss/Gain: -2.6

Total Loss/Gain: -4.4

The first round of the T.K.O. Challenge ends September 8th. I know I can knock out those six ounces by then. Right now my weigh in dates are flucuating because I am working overnights which makes weigh-ins and dieting hard. But I am managing the best I can. I will definitely take the loss considering I feel ill this week and I didn't give my body proper rest from the long hours I've pulled.

I thought this was entirely too funny. I have a set schedule for overnights now so I'll be able to take Ally to school, go to the gym, and pick her up from school. It's going to be so much easier to have set hours. I am excited to get back to the grind this week now that I am feeling so much better. Here's to losing those six ounces and knocking out round one!

Under The Weather

I've been sick for the last three days and just can't shake it. I'll be back soon lovelies.

Weigh In

Previous Weight: 239.8

Current Weight: 238.0

Loss/Gain: -1.8

I'll take it! Considering I didn't stick to my diet 100% I am really happy to see a loss!

How Do We Break The Cycle?

Part of this journey and part of the purpose of this blog is to always be honest with oneself. How can you expect to lose the weight if you are lying to yourself? If you always portray yourself in this great light but never show those darker, raw layers; how will you ever fully lose the weight? If you are anything like me, the smallest things can be triggers. This weight didn't get put on overnight so it won't come off overnight. Losing weight is so much more than just shedding pounds, exercising, and eating healthy. It's dealing with all of the emotional baggage and finding healthier ways to cope. How do you cope though when it becomes second nature to eat everything in sight when you are upset? After taking this first week to work on diet and exercise and toppling into a low, it really pulled me to make a post about emotional eating. Unfortunately, I didn't stay strong. I caved and had a really severe binge. I was on the cusp of celebrating a huge non-scale victory for me. How do we break the cycle? How do we say enough is enough?

This couldn't be more true. I'm not letting one bad week or one bad binge completely stop my progress. For me, I plan to channel that emotional hunger into working out. I am working to retrain my brain to be more positive. I lived in a toxic environment for a number of years. I stayed in a toxic marriage for far too long. I've done a number of things that were toxic to my body and mind. It takes so much to overcome emotional hunger. It is so easy to eat your feelings and it is such a challenge to channel that into another outlet. I want to succeed though. I want my body to do incredible things. I want my outside to match how much stronger I am starting to feel on the inside. It is a process but know I will be your biggest cheerleader. Each and every one of you guys. I will be supporting you as loudly as possible. Tomorrow is my weigh in and my day to get back on track. It's a fresh week. The T.K.O. challenge is all about being able to gain a fresh start. It's about not letting a bad week take you down completely. There is always the opportunity to start over, just don't give up. You have life stuff going on and feel that low coming? Email me. Let me be your support system. Let me be your shoulder to help you keep on keepin on.

My Email: embracing.life.simply@gmail.com

We can lose this weight. Both psychically and emotionally. One pound at a time, one day at a time.

Brightest Blessings Lovelies.

Friday

Daily Motivation

It's Monday!

Begin Again

With my mismatching Harry Potter socks I am ready to dive back into weight loss. I am ready to take control. I know it won't be a perfect journey but I know I can do it. I am also revamping the T.K.O challenge so feel free to join in. I am ready to be healthy. I have lost the weight before and I know I can do it again.

I will be following the Slim Fast plan. I am not using all of their products because it is overly priced for the smaller amounts. The only product of theirs I am using is the meal replacement shakes. Other than  that the meal bars and snacks are over the counter products. I had a lot of success with this before and I know it provides needed structure for me.

I will also be going to gym each morning or afternoon around my work schedule and Ally's school schedule. The only break will be weekends for time with Allisun. In between work-outs I will also be looking for youtube workouts to do at home as well.

When finances allow, I will be getting a Fit Bit to help keep me on track and accountable. I thrive on competition and this will only help. I am so excited and I look forward to this journey.