Day 30.5: More Signs You're Getting Thinner

-When people are sending you advertisements to become part of AdvoCare (turned it down)
-When your job preferences lean more towards Lululemon, TrueRunner, and REI because it's become an area of expertise and, let's face it, you really want that employee discount! :)
-When it literally sends you into a tailspin when someone takes away your healthy food (true story)
-When your plans for the weekend revolve around whether or not you can get your run in
-When you're looking forward to a paycheck so you can register for yet another 5K.
-When you have a 5K sticker on your car and don't feel inferior for having it
-When you go into the mall, and you want to go into literally every store having something to do with fitness
-When you are told to teach someone to do something, and you think a workout sounds pretty good
-When half your internet time revolves around your Facebook page and inspiring others

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These are more examples from my life! It's crazy how my life has changed completely. I still remember when I walked into S2 in May and felt like an idiot because I didn't look like the type that would even belong in a supplement shop. Now I am looking forward to my next visit, with the intention to keep going! And today the scale FINALLY tipped in my direction, putting me at a very nice 207.0. If I can shake off that last pound, I will be down 25 pounds! That would be such a geekout moment for me, because it means I am a quarter of the way there, give or take. My total goal was 106 pounds, and now it's down to around 82-83 pounds. That's not such a scary number when you see that almost 25 lbs of it is already gone.

My mom has decided to make some spaghetti for the evening and I will be more than happy to partake. I need to have some cause I have realized my caloric intake is way too low! I had no idea that I was eating so few calories, I thought for sure I was averaging around 1200-1500 but it is actually somewhat lower than that. I am shocked! So, I will be having a good meal tonight, and trying to eat a little more than my usual.

Please know that this is not an intentional thing and I don't encourage you to not eat! I have no intention of eating or not eating. I just eat when I feel like eating, and don't eat when I don't feel like eating. But I am so glad I found that out early in the game so I know to adjust my caloric intake to help recover the fuel burnt after a workout. I didn't realize that I was burning such ridiculous amounts off until today! So tonight and henceforth, I will track my food and make sure that I get enough calories in! :-) Never thought I would say that, but there you go. :-)

I would love to know how to get around 1500 calories a day in in a way that's not going to make me feel all bloated and gross. Any suggestions would be welcome! I will probably go to S2 on Wednesday and see if I can get advice on how to eat MORE. Crazy. :-)

I hope everyone has a great night! Be blessed all! :)

Our FIRST Transformation Sunday: Bryan F.

 

 

Our first transformation is my fiancé, Bryan F. He was active in high school, playing tennis for four years in high school. The weight piled on a bit during college and his time at work, but he topped the scale at around 171 at 5'7" tall. For a small-framed person like my fiancé, this weight was somewhat bothersome but not enough to do much about it. Then the top picture showed up on my Facebook page.

 

"I guess it was seeing that picture and being made fun of for it that made me want to lose weight," said Bryan. He decided to get going on his weight loss. He began walking regularly every night, and began doing 5K's with me. He and I went to the gym every time we got together, going swimming, strength training, and working out on the bike. He also began limiting his portions, carefully considering each days eating choices. Eventually, the pounds began falling off. 

Bryan went down as far as 145 lbs, and then stabilized around 148-150 and has kept it off for 2 years. What's his secret? "I eat less," he says simply. Works for me. :-) Bryan has also made his way through culinary school and is set to graduate in November. He has a very prestigious internship with a nice restaurant in the suburbs.

Be sure to send in your stories here or to my Facebook wall. I would be super happy to read them. I hope everyone enjoys your Sunday, and remember that someday this could be you!

Day 28: Good Morning Good Morning To You

First off, I hate it that McDonald's is using this song now. Singin' in the Rain is a classic and has nothing whatsoever to do with fast food. :-) I remember the first time I saw that commercial line I was SO mad.

Anyhoo, all that business aside, it is a beautiful quiet morning and my fiancé is still asleep downstairs. I have a guest bedroom that he stays in when he and I are going to be doing something on Saturday and Sunday. The reason we do that is simply because we can't sleep in the same bed when it's a Queen-sized bed because usually I am all over the bed and putting my foot up his side and waking him up. Or so he tells me. Ironically, we went to Chicago about a year ago and stayed at this really fancy hotel in Schaumberg (thanks Dad and Hotwire!) and we were able to share a king-sized bed without even bothering each other. So I guess we just need a bigger bed. :-D

I also have some good news: my fiancé is going to be the first Sunday transformation on the Girl on Fire Facebook page and blog! For those of you who don't know, my fiancé has lost around 25 lbs and has kept it off for 2 years! I'm so proud of him and I have gotten his permission to share his story and take a similar after photo of him at the apple picking today. (A similar picture taken 2 years ago was what inspired him to lose weight.) I'm so geeked out and proud of my crazy fiancé! If you have a transformation story you would like to share please let me know. :-) I will be writing the piece up so if you're not really a writer, no worries, the English major is here to help! If you like to write, by all means send me something good! :)

I am going to get in my run today as well, and since the gym opens at 10 I will get to go on my own and then go apple picking! I am aiming for 30 minutes run/walk (or about 32 since it generally increases in 5 minute intervals). I think once I hit about 40-45 minutes run/walk I will start increasing the intensity a bit, because 40-45 minutes is about what I want to run the 5K in. :-) (Less would be good, too!) I'll get back to you later this afternoon with Transformation Sunday (like Reformation Sunday, only fewer casseroles) and a new blog post!

I am also doing a challenge suggested by one of the people I follow on Facebook called Race Addict. They have posted a 30-Day Arm Challenge to get rid of the bat wings! I have been nervous about my arms not being toned after I lose weight so I am more than happy to sign up to get rid of them. If anyone else is interested in the challenge, here is a pic, which will link to my site for a larger view:

 

I apologize for it being so small! For some reason it's not cooperating with me. Day One of the Arm Challenge is:

 

5 Push Ups

5 Dips

10 Bicep Curls

10 seconds of Punches

 

And I will post each day what I'm doing so you can follow along with me! :-)

 

I hope everyone has a fantastic day! It's breakfast time for me, lol. :-) Be blessed!