Mary Week 2 measurements

I can't believe we're at 2 weeks...I would like to have had a couple more days before posting my weight and measurements, but no such luck!

I'm still doing okay and not complaining, because I am slowly losing inches, but the scale is fluctuating to the point I'm not sure how much I'm really losing. I know I've lost a firm 5 pounds, so I guess that's still good for a two week period.

One thing I added back into my diet this week is tea and honey. Its really a weakness for me...I just love my cup of tea in the morning, again in the afternoon, and sometimes in early evening. I know the tea is sort of okay, but its that dratted honey...its sugar, plain and simple. Even though honey is healthy, it doesn't aid in weight loss. Still, I'm losing even with drinking it, so I just have to make that wise choice and give it up til Christmas...pray for me!

I already posted that I went from a tight 14 to a comfortable 12, so that is a big achievement for me...it means I can wear more of my clothes!

Weight 161 lbs....I was at 159.4 lbs. three days ago! Hmmmmmm

Hips 42 3/4 in.
waist 23 3/4 in.
thigh 24 in.(no change...this is my trouble spot!)
bust 37 3/4 in.
chest 35 3/4 in.
calf 23 in.

Little improvement, but still improvement! Really need to flatten the tummy more than anything else. I had my husband take the pictures, but I wasn't liking any of themmy tummy looking so huge, so I told him to take another, and another...finally he told me that no matter how many pictures he takes, its still there! Wow, that hurt! So here it is.




Thanks to you for being there to encourage me...I hope I am doing the same for you. I know the big weight losses really spur us on, but the small baby steps give us hope, too, so whatever you are doing, keep it up, and in time, you will realize your dream of good health and a lean body!

God bless!

Mary

Crunch In - Monday

Its a new week, and I'm encouraged with the way I feel and look. I just bought a pair of size 12 jeans, and they fit! That's down from a tight sized 14...so I'm happy. The scale has actually moved up, which I knew it would after having granddaughter all week-end, and being away from the house. Still, this is a process of changing eating habits and maintaining a workout program that isn't so strenuous that I feel like I've failed if I miss a day, or eat ice cream once in two weeks. Today, I'll be back on track, and its just a good feeling to know that I am in control of my destiny...well, God's in control of that, but I can control my hand-to-mouth disease, and I can continue to take those tempting thoughts of fattening foods captive...this is a spiritual battle as well as a physical one for me...I think for all of us, most likely.

So this is just a check in post. I have so much on my plate (not the dinner plate) that I will be busy for a few days, but I'll try to read what you all have to say...its really great that I can come here and read your posts and root for you, as well as know that you're rooting for me too.

Have a wonderful Monday, and keep crunchin'!

Mary

Crunch in - Saturday

Today has been busy...granddaughter has been here since 7 this morning...after breakfast, we decided to spend the day shopping and goofing off. No exercise today...now that I've been working out every day, it feels horrible to NOT do it, but I've been on the go all day, and just don't have any energy left...she still wants to play Sorry and watch a movie, and I just want to go to bed!

I was shocked when I weighed in this morning...I had gained over a pound! But I know that happens, so I'm not worrying about it...tomorrow will probably show the results of walking through all the stores today, although not doing the workout might make a huge difference...we'll see!

Hope everyone is having a great week-end so far. Happy crunchin'!

Mary

Call It Up!

Its Friday, and its my 38th wedding anniversary. I'm excited about that...quite a long haul, yes? You bet it is, and I give God all the glory for giving us the grace to keep our marriage strong.

But today is also the day after a horrific event in our country...the murder of 12 soliders at an army base in Texas. Details remain to unfold, nevertheless, whatever spurred this man to take the lives of other people can only come from the evil in his heart.

So this morning, I'm thinking about our anniversary, the horrible events of yesterday, and my one pound weight loss. After my workout routine, my focus seemed to be a little sharper..."its a happy day for me, but such a sad day for so many others. But life goes on" I told myself..."we don't stop, we don't quit, life goes on"...that's all I could think to say to myself. Then I decided to sit down to update my ticker, and I also checked on a couple of blogs that I follow. I found this, and wanted to share it with you.

I borrowed this from Lisa at Living A Fit Life
Lisa has a wonderful testimony about her faith and her weight loss...a visit with her blog will leave you encouraged and motivated.

"Call It Up"

Toward the end of the workout with Leslie Sansone this morning she said, "stay with it". She also said, "Come on, call it up! Call up that energy!" I was sweating something fierce and a bit winded but I know my body was appreciative of the workout!

I view everything in the natural through a spiritual lens therefore I began to think about all of what it takes to take care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. It takes a lot! We've got to call it up each day and then walk it out each day!

What do I mean by that? I simply mean that there are moments when things may seem easy but anything worth having is always a bit more challenging. Walking in the peace of God in the midst of trials and tribulations is challenging but it's so worth trusting in GOD! You may be in the midst of one right now --betrayal from someone you care about, problems in your marriage, troubles with your children, financial stress, medical problems, past baggage, a painful friendship or perhaps feelings of being unworthy or trapped in circumstances you feel are out of your control. I want to encourage you to really place your trust in GOD.

All of these things that happen at times in peoples lives can take the wind out of you. It can take everything you have within you to keep going -- to press in -- to not give up -- to see it through -- to fight the good fight of faith -- to keep running the race even when it seemingly appears that you're losing.

You have to "stay with it"! You have to call up the hope, power, strength, grace, wisdom and assurance of your faith in Jesus Christ! You've go to call it up and then walk it out with certainty that He is with you and that in and through Him you can do all things. Why? Because if you trust in Him and in His complete provision for your life then you will receive His strength to continue on.

Philippians 4:13(AMP) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

In life there will be sweaty situations for you and for me; for all of us. You will feel winded at times. You will feel your energy level beginning to decrease and your mind will attempt to tell you to give up, sit down and take it easy just like my mind was attempting to do this morning as I worked out BUT let me encourage you -- DO NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN. Don't throw the sweaty towel up in the air and crash down on the sofa in defeat.


God bless you all...keep crunchin', and keep living, no matter what happens...God has it all in His control...we find our joy in HIM, and in Him alone!

Mary

Need Motivation?

Girls, I want to help you stay motivated with your crunch. Sometimes a visual helps...so this is what we will look like if we quit.




The "blobfish"

KEEP CRUNCHIN!!!!!!

Love ya!
Mary

Kettlebell Workout Video

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Last spring, I read an article in Woman's World magazine about a woman that had been in an auto accident, receiving some back injury, which then led to becoming sedenary. She was watching someone on television doing kettlebell exercises. She decided to do it, and not only lost weight, but also found her back had stopped hurting. If I can locate the magazine, I'll post it later, but it could be anyplace, so don't hold your breath.

Anyway, I immediately googled it, and liked what I saw, so I went to Target and bought one. It came with a short dvd, and I did it for about a week. Then my son came over, and talked me out of the whole thing, saying I would get hurt if I dropped it on my foot, etc. So I took it back to the store, but I keep thinking about it. I watched these videos on youtube last night, and have decided to buy another one. From the week I used it, I could definitely see why and how it works...and anything to give me a better workout in a shorter amount of time is for me. I enjoy my walking dvd, but sometimes I don't like taking an hour in the morning, and an hour in the evening to do it...takes time away from hubby.

I'm posting two videos...Dani, I'm only taking 1 pt...the first is a testimonial and the second is a short workout. I found three of four different women that have dvd's on kettlebells, and by the way, I remember Jillian Michaels, of the Biggest Loser, using them and talking about how good they are. I don't think she has a video, though.

Anyway, take a look and see what you think. They come in different weights...you start out low and work up. There are more videos on youtube, and probably articles about them as well.

I'll let you know how I'm doing after I get my new one. I think the 10 pd. is about $15, then you have to buy a dvd, so probably another $15.

Keep crunchin'!

Mary

I'm Losing it!

I wasn't going to post today because I didn't have much time, but I just went in to change clothes and thought I'd go ahead and measure again, since its been a week, and guess what? I've lost 3 full inches! When I measured last week, I forgot to do my arms, calves and chest, and I will do that later tonight, but I wanted to get in here and post before I forgot...I lost one full inch in my waist, now at 34", 1 full inch in my hips, now 42 3/4, and one full inch in the thighs, now 24". I also lost another 1/2 pound since yesterday, but will wait to see what happens tomorrow. This is the first time I've lost pounds in a couple of days, and I did eat a little more today because of eating lunch with a friend...she baked cookies...I ate 2...so we'll see.

But for today, I'm a happy girl...and encouraged, knowing that working out and eating healthy really makes a difference in just a week...just imagine in another 7 weeks! Stay with it, girls...we're doing great!

Blessings to everyone!
Mary

Crunch In, Tuesday - 60 minute workout

Happy Tuesday to everyone...I hope that all of you are happily sticking with your healthy eating and exercising programs. The time seems to going by quickly, and I really think the 8 week challenge is going to be here before we know it. I want everyone, including me, to reach Dec. 23rd., with a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction that they didn't quit...so don't quit!

Today, I did my 60 minute walking workout with Leslie Sansone's Walk Away The Pounds. I didn't do an additional workout last night, but will try to do one tonight. For me, I need it, because otherwise, I get so tired, I just want to sit. There's no excuse for me...I don't have little children, only one big husband, to hold me back, so I'm going to put my body to work and build those muscles, tone those legs, and shrink those hips. Once I put the DVD in, the tiredness leaves me and the workout relieves the stress and tension of the day, so I sleep better...remember that we need the sleep, and did you know that you LOSE WEIGHT when you sleep? So get those ZZZZZZ'S!

My weight is still at 162...I went up a few ounces, not back down, but I'm not discouraged that it isn't more. It will be very soon, and by the end of the challenge, there will be enough of a weight loss to push me on to continuing into the Spring Fling! And I am seeing my measurements make a slow move to SMALLER!

God bless everyone - crunching and praying with you all!
Mary

Crunch Day 6

Its Monday, and I'm so happy I made it through the week-end without blowing my eating plan. I have scones, blueberry muffins, and pumpkin bread in my refrigerator, but I haven't touched it. I remember something I heard Barbra Streisand say many years ago..."I can only hold a note for a long time if I WANT TO! I realized that I can't do the full exercise routine unless I want to..I have to decide to want to. Its all about making choices, isn't it?

I did another hour workout last night while hubby was at choir practic, and did my regular hour this morning. The scale, however, shows an increase of 4oz. Still, the measuring tape is showing movement downward, so I know its working. The best part of this is that I know I'm doing what is good for my body. Eating healthier foods and building the muscles in my body, including my heart and lungs, gives me all the reason I need to continue.

I am really enjoying all the tips and funnies you all are posting! That makes this so much more than a weight loss program...its a friendship maker!

Happy crunchin'!

Mary

TIP: Body Clutter Investigator

Happy Sunday, ladies! I hope you all had a wonderful morning and were able to worship with your family and friends. We had a powerful message from Rev. 19. As the signs of the times become more visible, this wonderful Book of the Bible becomes more and more clear to me. If you haven't read it lately, take another very close look.

About two years ago, I discovered Fly Lady. This is a website about clutter and organization, but there is also a section on weight loss, called Body Clutter. There is a page you can download called Body Clutter Investigator. I did this when I first discovered it, and not only did I lose weight, I also remembered to drink my water, take my thyroid, take my vitamins, and drink my Just Barley, plus weighed daily, which is something I have to do, or I'll fudge (with the fudge). Without a printed schedule or calendar of sorts, I would forget my name, so this was of extreme help to me. Interetingly, as soon as I stopped filling it out, I also stopped losing weight...and eventually, put it all back on. This is a lifelong program we are entering here, gals, and we need to find our best source of personal accountability...Dani Joy isn't going to be there to hold our hands forever...though I wish she would! This little sheet of paper really makes a difference, so I hope you'll go to the Fly Lady website, print yourself out a month's supply of the "investigator", or even a year's supply, and start taking charge of your food, your water, your weight, and your LIFE!

Body Clutter Investigator:

Daily Chart for our Metabolism and Loving Ourselves
Day: M T W Th F S S Date: ___________ Today’s Scale Reading ________
This is not who you are! Don’t be afraid!
Sleep: Bedtime last night? _____ Get up time this morning? ____
How many times did I get up during the night? ______
Did I take a nap today? ______ Total Hours of Sleep? __________
Did I do my Morning Routine? ____ Before Bed Routine? _________
Quick Check List: color in the circles
Meals 000 Fruits 000 Water 00000000 Vitamins 0
Snacks 000 Veggies 000 Milk Products 000
Walking 0 Weights 0 Aerobic Activity 0 Stretching 0
Food intake: Meals and Snacks:
Breakfast ___________________________________________________
Morning Snack _______________________________________________
Lunch ______________________________________________________
Afternoon Snack______________________________________________
Dinner _____________________________________________________
Evening Snack________________________________________________
How much fiber did I consume today? __________________________
Did I take my vitamins and supplements today? ________
Blessing my Body with Loving Movement:
Did I move any today? ____ How many minutes did I spend walking? _______
Lifting Weights? ______ In aerobic activity? _____ Stretching? ________
What happened today? How did I feel about it? Did I experience any emotional
Body Clutter today? Write on the back if needed. ______________________
___________________________________________________________
Go Me!! I am so proud of me for facing all my Body Clutter

Happy crunching, everyone! I'm doing 60 minutes a day now, and will try to add another 20-30 minutes in the evening, starting tomorrow, because otherwise, all I do is sit at this computer!
Mary

Drink Your Greens & Crunch Day 4!

This crunching is really starting to be fun for me. I'm excited about my fast weight loss, although its just water and toxins, but that's important too, which is why I want to give you this tip: Its barley grass juice. There are several products on the market and I've tried a few, but JUST BARLEY is brand that I can drink down without gagging. After the first glass, it goes down easily. Now why would I do this to myself? Let me tell you, its well worth it...just read this:

"Barley grass juice is a highly rejuvenating food for health. On my road back to wellness, I had the privilege of hearing about this excellent fresh green juice. It is a powerful superfood and is being used to fight different cancers, build blood cell count and energy, detoxify blood, improve asthma, and it is also taken as an aphrodisiac food. These are just a few of the incredible barley grass benefits being experienced by thousands of people."

You can read more about it on this website, and
http://www.healthbanquet.com/barley-grass-green-juice.html

I take one to two teaspoons in half a glass of water every morning half an hour before breakfast...that gives it time to digest. Then I drink another glass before lunch, and sometimes I drink one before dinner, as long as its no later than 5 p.m., because it gives you energy! That's what we want, right? The more energy, the more workouts we can do...so give it a try. You'll be glad you did!








Now for the good news: I dropped another pound! Now down to 162 from 166.4 since Wednesday. And that's not all. I measured this morning, and the tape measurer is moving down! I can't be that accurate with so little change, so I'm not taking any points until I can get a good measurement. The scale, however, is digital, so I trust it to be correct.

I'm not sure if we were supposed to tell what our eating plan is, so I won't bore you with it now, but if I see that we are doing that, I will start too.

I hope you are all staying encouraged and making the time to take care of your bodies. I'm having to learn it all over again, that I need to stay healthy. My workouts are set aside every morning ....oh yeah, I forgot...my workout this morning was another 50 minutes. The label on the DVD says 60 minutes, but its 55, with the last 55 being cool down, so I'm not counting it.

Believe me, ladies, I must begin my day with prayer, thanking the Lord for all that He is, for all that He gives, for His Holiness...oh, how thankful I am that He is holy! And I ask for His strength to keep my thoughts from straying to unhealthy foods. The last few days have been relatively easy, but tonight, we have the trick-or-treaters at the door, so I had to buy some candy. I bought healthy snacks, like rice krispy treats, but I was sure eyeballing the bags of candy in the store. Thank you Father, that I did not stray!

Happy Crunching, everyone. Crunch, crunch, crunch away those pounds!

Mary

Crunching Is Working!

Happy Friday. everyone, although its already after 5 p.m. here...been busy today, so just now getting to posting. I was once again surprised when I weighed in this morning.

My weight has gone from 166.4 lbs. on kick-off day to 163.0 lbs. today. That seems like alot, so I was really surprised, but the real surprise came when I measured...I did not expect to drop 1/4" from my waist, hips and thighs...each exactly 1/4"! Is that water? Not sure...I've been doing my walking routine faithfully, so perhaps some fat is being moved out of my body along with the water...wouldn't that be nice!

I want to share my exercise routine with you. I know there are many ways to stay in shape, and I believe that most of them work if you work at it consistently, so I'm not trying to push this one, but I have purchased a variety of work-out DVD's, and I find this one to work for me for because its simple and easy to follow...I find that some of them are too fast, or have too many moves, that I just can't keep up. When I found Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away the Pounds", I found that I could follow it easily and it didn't hurt any parts of my body...I can't do a lot of those moves without something hurting when I'm finished. The other benefit is that she has several levels on one DVD, so I can choose which one I want to do on any given day, depending on my energy level, time, and motivation...I will always do one, even if it's the shortest and easiest. The last two days, I did the 30 minute, but today, I did 50 minutes, which equals to 4 miles,and it went sooo fast!

I do like to walk outside and bicycle, especially in nice weather, but I work up more sweat doing one of these workouts, and Leslie also includes strength exercise....something I have to be careful of due to discs in my neck and back giving me some trouble. I feel that I've accomplished a very good workout without pain, strain, in a short amount of time, instead of using 2 hours a day to walk or bike. A 30 minute workout is equivalent to 2 1/2 miles of walking, which take me twice as long.

Hope you already have a good routine going, but if you're still looking for one, or if you just want a change, consider this one...she's also on Dr. Oz's website, with a full work-out video for you to check out.

God bless everyone...keep crunching!

Best Exercise!

I just found this great exercise on another blog, and had to share it with you!


Subject: Exercise For People of All Ages Who Want to Be Hot! Hot! Hot! And
Hip, Not Hippy!


Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at
each side.


With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from
your sides and hold them there as long as you can.


Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.


Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.


After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks.


Then try 50-lb potato sacks. Eventually try to get to where you can lift a
100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a
full minute. (I'm at this level.)


After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.

I'm sorry, gals, but I just had to do it...I had to post it for you. I'm not going to take any points for it cause it's really useless information...but I hope it gave you a chuckle...now get back to the REAL exercise program!

God bless!

Mary

Already Losing!

I was really socked when I got on the scale this morning...it said 164 lbs! Now keep in mind that yesterday, my kick off weight was 166.4. I have no idea how that could have happend, and I'm taking it with a grain of salt, because no doubt, it will be up tomorrow...it just can't be fat that was lost, so I am sure its water.

But that brings me to my weight loss tip...its grapefruit. I found this article on RealAge.com, http://www.realage.com/tips/can-citrus-make-you-slim, about the benefits of grapefruit, and its well worth reading. But I have been eating grapefruit for many years, and it does work wonders for losing the excess water in your body, and the results show on the scale quickly.

But I want to add this really good benefit...it appeases your appetite and quences the sugar cravings! That should get your atention. As a sugarholic, this is major for me. If I begin my day with one half of a ruby red grapefruit, it will make a huge difference in what I want to eat throughout the day.

I'm not sure if grapefruit juice does the same thing, but Dr.Oz will probably address that in the article. My hubby can't eat the grapefruit, but he does love the Ocean Spray Lite Ruby Red Graperuit Juice...I don't know if he's losing weight on it...he won't tell me what the scale reads...but it does curb the appetite for those sugary foods, and seems to increase the desire for healthy foods.

So give it a try and "weigh in" on it!

Have a wonderful day, everyone...God bless you!

Mary

I'm Ready for the Crunch!

Its kick off day, and I'm really ready to kick off these extra pounds and inches!





Age: 64

Height: 5'5"

Weight: 166.4 lbs.

measurements:

hips - 43 3/4
waist - 35
bust - 38
thighs - 25

My goal is to lose as much extra fat and gain as much extra energy as possible by Christmas...Bye bye, tummy!

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Hello, I'm Mary!

I'm glad to meet all of you! I just happened to discover this Christmas Crunch Challenge by reading comments from another blog, so I emailed Dani and was invited to join in!

Just a little history...I never had a weight problem growing up. I was never skinny, but I was never overweight, no bulges or rolls anywhere, and I never thought about what I was eating. My adult weight averaged about 125 lbs. I ate a normal,healthy diet, with an occasional snack, but never binged on sugar....unlike the way I eat now. I start my day with at least two or three cups of tea, dosed up with 2 teaspoons of honey! Talk about a sugar high...then a sugar loooowwww...a real energy drainer and weight gainer.

After my son was born, I gradually began gaining weight, til I hit 140, and felt very fat. Then in the early 80's, I went on a high protein diet, went down to 116 lbs....I'm 5'5"...and wore a size 4. Within a year or so, I had gone into menopause at age 36, and shortly after that, I developed hypothyroidism. By 1991, I underwent a hysterectomy and thyroid radiation...two big contributors to weight gain, and difficult to control. I'm still struggling with balancing these two hormones...along with extra pounds on the saddlebags, I have to deal with hot flashes, a mustache and thinning hair to boot!

Yesterday, I thought perhaps I'm better off accepting this out of shape body, buying a new wardrobe, and be happy about who I am, extra pounds and all.

Then I remembered why I can't do that. I have some major reasons for wanting to be healthy; my special needs daughter and my husband who is legally blind from retinitis. BTW, I have to tell you that I've never met so many women who are married to pastors! I went to a bible college and set out to marry a pastor, but my husband is a faaaaaaaarrrrr cry from being a anything like a pastor...but he's a great husband, and we will celebrate 39 years of marriage in a couple of weeks!

Even with the extra care that DH and DD need, which is very stressful most of the time, I have a wonderful life, and I'm not complaining. The only thing I want to change is the number on the scale, and how I feel physically...I want to feel good, really good, with energy and the ability to see my toes past my tummy, for my body to feel a little lighter than a two ton truck driving at a snail's pace through the hallways of my house, to bend over and tie my running shoes...oh, if I could only run..sigh. The point is, I want live a long and healthy life, to be here for them AND for me. They aren't the reason I'm overweight...but I do use them as an excuse to neglect my own needs. Where did I learn that I couldn't take care of myself, too?

I don't want this to be too long...but I do want to say that my biggest weight loss challenge is to renew my mind. This isn't about hunger or dieting for me ...its about how I think. The poor eating habits I've developed and the lack of physical exercise I blame on not having time are just excuses, but it is really the thought process, that self talk, that needs to change.

Thanks to Dani for bringing us together...I'm anxious to hear what programs you're using, and I'll share mine. I know mine work...they've worked beautifully in the past, but as soon as I stopped working it, it stopped working for me.

I'm really looking forward to all of us getting healthy and slender together. Let's do it!


God bless you all!

Mary