Nina A. (aka - Former Fat Lady)

Hey ladies!

This was me a little over 2 years ago.....




and this is the same me...two years ago....

same large backside!


and...one more of the same, over weight me, 2 years ago.....




But enough of that!!!!!


Lets move right along.......to what I look like today....



my backside is still big...but it's so much smaller than before.


This is my most serious muscle flex.....much to my kids dismay. My husband always flips the flabby part underneath when I try to show them my muscles!! But hey...I'm working on that part too!!




I began my journey almost 1.5 years ago. A few months into it I met Danielle (Dani Joy) online and we became fast friends and weight loss accountability buddies. We began weighing-in to each other on Mondays. Telling each other how much we had lost or gained (gasp!). So far I've lost 35 pounds and many inches.

Now we continue as fitness buddies, fellow missionary wives and mothers to active kids. My weight loss and over all fit lifestyle has enabled me to enjoy being a mom and wife so much more than before. My husband, who told me I was making him feel lazy, jumped on board and began working out at the gym and watching what he ate....we together are more fit and energetic and I love it!

My goals this challenge are to just 'keep at it'. I'd love to loose the last 10 pounds I have to loose, but they are haunting me and have been for some time. If I could continue to tone up and learn how to prepare healthy foods and choose healthy snacks, then I will count this challenge a success.

I want to encourage you, when I can. I love DailyMile.com to track my workouts and to see my progress. And of course, I see some of your smiling faces on there too!

;)

I love you Danielle! Thank you for all you do to help us keep at it! You're like our personal trainer from Spain! (Don't we sounds spiffy ladies?! We have a Personal trainer from Spain....!!!)

I'm thinking about carrying my handsome, muscular hubby out to dinner tonight...so if you'll excuse me.....ahem...ahem....I feel like getting my groove on!

Sweatin' it off with you...and LOVING IT!!!

To Train or Not to Train...That is the Question!

Former Fat Lady Nina here...coming to you live and fired up!!!

I've just not had the time to be here and encourage you like I should have been and I'm sorry for that....but after taking a few minutes to read over some of the latest posts...I'M the one who's encouraged!!


Please over looking my drying laundry and the very old and baggy college sweatshirt...yikes!

I've been busy doing Jillian's Shred. Today is day 23 for me and I'm loving the difference!

I'm not big on measuring (and weighing even) so I don't know the exact results....but what matters to me more than numbers are how my body feels, how it looks in the mirror, how my clothes fit and how folks are noticing some differences in me!

I'm at my lowest weight since high school. I'm stronger now than I was in high school. My endurance is increasing....and along with that is my self confidence!


Suuuupppppeeeerrrr-Nina!!


I'm trying hard to convince myself to 'officially' train for a 5K.....I don't make my mind up easily, but when I do...that's that....it's done....it's all over but the crying!

So...we'll see the outcome of this debate....(but I'm leaning towards going for it!)




ouch...these hurt!

Sooooo..with that all said, I'm still plugging along. I have about 10 pounds left to loose....but I'm not dreading it. It's going to be fun!

Hope you are all doing well.....praying for you....

I "Sprung" Today!

I did some serious "springing" this morning....Danielle, you'd be proud!

Each day that I'm able to fit in some serious exercise (more than jogging up and down my stairs in my house a few time, or sweeping and mopping all 8 trillion meters of this house....you get my point) is becoming more and more like a miracle.

So I'm here to publicly thank my Lord for working some gym time into my day. And also thank you to my Love for washing the dishes after our meeting this morning, so that I could squeeze in a workout before my language class this afternoon......(told you I'm busy!)

I'm pulling out some WW recipes I have stashed away...I'm excited about it!

Love you all Ladies!

Former Fat Lady, Here Again!

If I don't watch myself...I'm going to have to change my name back to "Fat Lady Nina"...dropping the 'Former'!!

Life has been tough for me since the last challenge ended.

Sickness, holidays, visitors and ministry in High Speed.....life is a whirlwind with me being pulled in many directions. Plus, just when I though life was getting back into a somewhat routine, I threw my back out and for fear of re-injury, I'm afraid to exercise at the same force I was prior to the injury...There's not enough time in the day for me to be laid up in bed again.

Mom's exercise time seems to be getting in the way of 'life' lately and I'm afraid that without Mom's exercise time...life will soon become, once again, fat, lazy and miserable.

So....in my attempt to hold on to my "Former Fat Lady Status"....I'm here with you guys again!

(I'm also the Label Nazi......so get your labels straight already..."Yes, Mam!")

I'll be back with some updated pics. Looking back over the last few months of photos, I don't have any good ones of me showing the weight loss....I'm always the photographer....I'll get one of my kids to take a few soon, and I'll re-post then.

So for now..I'm trying to remember my rules...small portions, exercise, watch sugar, eat whole grains, drink more water...and have fun.

Have a fantastic week Ladies!

All In The Name Of Exercise

Okay...here is the situation.

This is a true story. I kid you not.

While exercising outside yesterday with my dog, he jumped up on my backside and pulled my skirt down to my knees!

In plain sight of the neighbors who were out enjoying the beautiful weather....and moon!


Moral of the story.....

-wear clothes that fit while exercising
-leave the dog inside
-rest on Sunday's like God intended

God does have a sense of humor.

Running.....Can I Do It?

For years now, I've secretly admired runners.

Those folks you always see on the side of the road that seem to run forever, never stopping.

I remember telling my husband back a few years ago about my desire to be a runner. It was the first time I said it out loud and I remember feeling like a dufus while telling him...the exact thing I didn't want to happen. Wishing I had just kept it to myself.

When I was a kid and had to run the mile in PE class, I was always one of the kids that finished last. It seemed like the entire class would be inside the track cheering me to finish before the 12 minute time limit was reached. Telling me that if I didn't hurry, I would have to run it again tomorrow, and it was supposed to rain that day.

With shortness of breath, pain piercing my sides and my pulse so loud in my ears it was deafening, I would finish the mile just shy of 12 minutes every time.

Boy was I glad when PE was no longer mandatory and I could choose art or photography.

I've never been a good runner, but I want to become one now.

This morning, with my husbands encouragement and my kids cheering me on, I loaded up my black Lab and the two of us headed to the coast.



Choosing a running partner that won't ever utter a discouraging word was a very wise decision on my part. He was grateful for a short run along the coast that ended with a little game of fetch before heading back home. We weren't gone long, but it was a start.

It was a small victory.

Blackmail Video - Former Fat Lady, Nina

I just had to do a video after seeing Dani Joy's high stepping stomach crunches. I've teased her about being a show off, but I think we all know what a blessing she's been! Such a cheerleader!! And we are all very thankful for this Challenge.

I'll use the same disclaimer as Dani Joy.... don't judge my house! This is our game room/school room/coat closet/laundry room/mom's office.....It has everything in it that I don't want in the rest of my house.

Oh..and my exercise clothes are for your eyes only please. Ladies only blog, Praise the Lord!

If this video will encourage you and at the same time give you cause to laugh....then I've accomplished my goal.

So here I am being my usual spazy self.

Keep Crunchin'





RealAge.com has some free workout videos. One of which is this simple beginners walking at home video with Leslie Sansone.

There's a Fly in my Coffee

Seriously....that grosses me out!
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Crunch in - Busy day shopping for new clothes and birthday presents for a friends kid. But let's go back to that new clothes part.

Not for one of my kids, my hubby or my dog...but FOR ME!!!!

Why, you may ask?! Because all my winter clothes I pulled out a few weeks ago are TOO BIG!!

(And no...I don't really cloth my dog...you may, and that's just fine. Just don't tell me about it so I won't make fun of you! giggle)

I got a new skirt and 3 new sweaters! I feel like a million bucks! The family ate McDonald's and I ate at a salad place. (yeah for me) However I had a small piece of b'day cake at the party and these little weird fried chicken thingy's that are Fabulous!!

Anyway...enough gabbing...I'm off to take off these boots and put on my tennis shoes and do a workout video.

(I still haven't figured out my ticker...I've given up on the crazy thing)

Have a great Sunday all! God is Good!!



Oh...and that fly is still in my coffee. Gross you out too? Good...put down that cookie!

I'm Right On Your Heels!

Former Fat Lady seemed to have abandoned you right as it started to get good around this place!!

Where'd she go?!

Well, I received visitors from the States on the exact same day we kicked off the Christmas Crunch. Which means I spent lots more time in the kitchen dazzling my Aunt and Uncle with all my culinary expertise. It also meant I ate more food and desserts than I needed. There was no time for exercise, only church activities, sight seeing and some much needed fellowship.

Life seems to be pretty much back to it's normal hectic pace, but a pace that is much more manageable. I've adapted well to chaos...it suits me just fine.

So....with the disclaimer out of the way, this is what I have to say......YOU BETTER WATCH OUT!!

I'm right on your heels! Spent some time at the gym today and tried to eat well. Now as soon as I figure out how to work that fancy ticker thing over on the sidebar, I'm going to do some updating! You guys have all those fancy looking ones and I can't even figure out how to add a point...gggaahhhh...give a technologically challenged girl a break, would ya!?

I'm coming on strong!! You better get to crunchin'!

Now.....back to the rules section to learn about those pesky tickers...

On Your Marks, Get Set.....

GO !!!!!

Date: October 28, 2009

Measurements for:

Former Fat Lady Nina:


Thigh - 22.5
Hips - 40.5
Waist - 30
Bust - 33
Arm - 12

Age - 35
Height - 5 ft 10 inches

Weight 72.1 Kilos = 158.62 pounds


My chocolate spread in the pantry is very scared right now...it's about to be tossed into the trash!!


Here we go!!

You're Invited To My Place For Lunch

Hi Loosing Ladies!

Here's what's on the menu for lunch tomorrow:

Minestrone Soup



You're all invited!

(Just click on Minestrone Soup for the recipe. Make a pot and keep it in the fridge for a quick lunch, or as an appetizer before supper. Helps to fill you up before you eat that roll with butter or that hamburger!)

Bom Appetite!

Hi...I'm Former Fat Lady, Nina!

.....and this is my family.

My husband Michael (age 34....I'm being VERY open with you ladies on this blog!!)

That's me in the cool shades (35...shhhhhh! I married a younger man!! I Know!! GO ME!!)

Brooklyn 10
Faith 9
Liberty 7
Trinity 5
Justice 3

And in case you can't tell......they are so very beautiful! Inside and out!




After 11 years of marriage and 5 kids, my body had gotten abused. This was partially due to quick meals, cheap snack foods, and lots of sugar. Sugar and caffeine were how I kept my energy up during the day.

Our family moved to northern Portugal in February of 2008 and the following months I was able to loose a little weight, but only because there wasn't a Krispy Kreme case in every gas station, McDonald's, or Little Debbie Zebra Cakes. Once I shed those few pounds, I couldn't seem to loose anymore. Even with the help of diet pills and cellulite cream, my legs still looked like bags of cottage cheese!

When I got married I weighed about 155.

After 5 kids, I had gotten up to about 195.

My bone structure is larger than most and I'm almost 5 foot 10 inches tall...but I in NO WAY could pull off being 195!!!

Here are a few photos from the first week after we moved to Portugal.




(My kids laugh when they see these pictures now....saying they can't believe what a difference loosing weight made in my rear.. I don't look at my rear end very often, so I'll take their word for it!)

Anyway, after being in Portugal for almost a year, I gave in and made that decision to DO SOMETHING for myself. Not for my husband, or one of my 5 kids that seemed to take all of my time....but actually do something FOR ME.

My kids had taught me well. With each birth of another child I became less selfish. Learning more and more that it wasn't always about "me" as it had been in my teens and early twenties. I learned to give of myself for others....and in doing so I found great joy. However, my priorities got a little out of whack and I not only neglected myself, I was harming my entire family by not being the best Mom I could be, spiritually, emotionally and yes....physically.

I wasn't as active with my kids as I wanted to be. Loosing my breath quickly and fatiguing just thinking about playing kickball in the yard. I wanted a healthier lifestyle. I wanted to play, sit on the floor to work a puzzle and get up without having to be pulled. I wanted to wear attractive clothes that would make my husband proud to be seen with me. I no longer wanted to use the excuse, "I've had 5 babies in 7 years." I was tired of excuses.....

Me and my Love when I was at my heaviest weight....


This was us a few months ago.....(having a tan helps, I know...but my face, neck and shoulders are much slimmer too)


This picture was taken with my mom a few months after arriving in Portugal and I had already lost a few pounds....but still very thick through the middle.


And one of me in my famous "stretchy" skirts....I was all about comfort! What was I thinking!?


So...this brings me to today. The end of October 2009. After finally making a decision to do something for myself in January, I've lost about 30 pounds. I started with Weight Watchers online. Used it for a few months until I got a hold of what a healthy meal consisted of and until I was reminded how to prepare foods that are healthier and maintain their vitamins and nutrients. Then I went solo. Watching what I ate, joined Curves, and took time to maintain myself. To do something for me.

It wasn't being selfish at all....I was actually doing something beneficial for myself as well as the rest of them.

Now I try to avoid deliciously fattening foods like these.....


and this......


Even though I am a cook at heart.....I have to be careful...very careful. (For example..I made 50 red velvet cupcakes today for my daughter's classroom....and I ate 2 of them. The guilt I have is horrible, besides the headache from all the refined sugar...it's not worth it ladies...take my word on it.....a sweet pear from my fruit dish would have been so much more pleasant to eat...and I could have eaten two pears or even three for what calories I consumed with one cupcake.) After 10 months you'd think I'd know that by now.....I DO know that, I just forget at times... :)


That's me in the red.....another rear end shot. This was taken a few weeks ago. I still have quite a bit of "back" however, there is still a significant difference from the first photo I posted! Praise The Lord! (I've always had a big booty...even when I was my in my teens....there's a story behind my "behinny"...I'll share with you one day...I know...you can't wait...)


Me and Faith pole fishing this summer.....


Getting a "girlie hug" from 3 of my daughters.....


Life is much sweeter these days....and I am very thankful to my Lord for His help, strength and encouragement over the last 10 months. I couldn't have done it without Him.

I still have 3 kilos left to loose. (about 6.5 pounds) so I will be doing the Christmas Crunch with you all. I just wanted to post about where I've come from to help encourage you along your journey.

I hope to make regular appearances on this blog and give you a recipe, or food idea. Maybe even some ways to get active, without even knowing your exercising! (I'm talking about the bedroom ladies!!! Now that's where exercising is the most fun, right!!)

;) Praise the Lord for a girls only blog!!

So anyway.....getting my mind out of the gutter and moving right along.

We all need encouragement. That's what we're here for. Pray and give it to the Lord. Then put feet to your prayers and do something about it!!

YOU deserve it!