Welcome!

I hope this isn't too confusing, but I use to use this blog (way long ago as you will see) to document my weight loss milestones. Mostly for accountability.

As I begin my 2012 New Year, New You Challenge at Ring Around the Rosies, the OCD me thought I needed a whole separate place to document the weight loss portion of my Healthy You challenge!

So yes, the old Shred Baby Shred (which I still love that name!) is now Healthy You.

Be sure to follow the entire challenge here! Because there's more on my list than just losing the weight!

Update - Moving Blogs

Hey, y'all!

I am still hanging in there. I twisted my ankle doing those stupid jump ropes with a kick... So, I was out of commission on Friday... I will do 2 more days of L2 and then take more measurements and pick up with L3.

I have recently made a big decision to pursue blogging and focus on it more, so if you're interested, or want to continue following along with my weight loss journey please visit me here!!!

XOXO,

Jaima

Body Progress - Level2Day2

Still no pictures to gross you out with...

However, I did Level 1 for 5 days, as I plan to do with all 4 Levels, while taking Saturday and Sunday off from Shredding.

AND, from last Tuesday (Level 1 Day 2) 'til today (Level 2 Day 2) I lost 1/2" off my arms! And, 3/4" off my hips!!!

WOOHOO!!!

No weight change, or inches lost from my bust, waist, or thighs, but WOOHOO!!!!

I can definitely feel it in my triceps and the backs of my quads. A li'l muscle definition is starting to take shape!

Keeps me motivated to continue through the hellacious Level 2. Grr, I hate plank jacks!

Ripped in 30 Level 2

O.M.G.

It's as bad (or worse) than Level 2 of 30 Day Shred.

I hate plank pose. Period.

And just like with Level 1, there seems to be one cardio move I am just not coordinated enough to do at 7am. In L1 it was the Running Man, and in L2 it's the jump ropes with the kick. Seriously, I just cannot do more than one thing like that at a time. It's kind of like the rubbing the belly and patting your head trick you learned as a kid.

Unfortunately, I did not keep up with the advanced version like I did with L1, but today was just Day 1, and a lot of the moves I hadn't seen before. However, a lot of her moves are repeats from 30DS, which I like! I'm definitely still stronger than I was the first time I ever did 30DS, even though that was TWO years ago.

I can already tell a difference in my triceps and quads, which is crazy to me. A li'l definition appearing!!!

I haven't taken measurements yet today (because it's been a crazy day) but hopefully I will when A gets home from work!

What did you love and hate about Level 2?

Motivation

A good friend has told me repeatedly that showing up is 1/2 the battle. That is sooo true! Once I'm in, I'm in. But getting up and putting on my sports bra and starting is something I fight tooth and nail.

Something else that motivates me is this picture.

I don't remember where I found it, but I quickly printed it and hung it on the fridge as a reminder. I really try (and do a pretty good job) to eat healthy, natural, wholesome foods. My problem comes at dinner, when I want to indulge. I was raised in the South, where food is second to God. Mom cooked a huge breakfast and dinner at least 5 days a week, and holidays are a whole different blog post. However, I'm really trying to teach myself that food is meant to sustain us, not pleasure us.

I turned 25 earlier this year, and I refuse to think that I'm "letting myself go". One of my best friends is about to turn 41, and she's smoking hot. It is my goal to be in that good of shape when I'm 40 and 50. So many of my family members (in their 40s) struggle with diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, etc... And I refuse to become another statistic. I want to always be healthy for my precious daughter.

And lastly, hardly recognizing myself in the mirror and having to slip on jeans and pants that are at least 2 sizes bigger than they were before I got pregnant is quiet motivating!

What motivates you?

It feels good... and my goals

It feels good to be back in a full routine again.

Originally, A and I were going to Shred (well, do Ripped in 30, but I will probably always say Shred instead of exercise) Monday, Wednesday, & Friday and run on Tuesday and Thursday, but it's still way too hot and humid to do long runs.

So, instead we're modifying our plan and doing RI30 Monday through Friday. We finished week 1 today, and will move on to the next level each Monday. After we complete week 4 (which I'm sooo scared of) we will begin running.

I know I posted some of my goals in the very beginning, but just as a short term list...

*Lose 20lb to get to where I was when I finished Shred the first time in '09, before getting pregnant.

*Lose the following inches to get to where I was when I finished Shred in '09. Bust 1.25", Waist 3.5", arms 1", hips 7.5", thighs 1/4". (my arms are the same as when I first started, and my thighs are 1" smaller now than they were when I started the first time. And YES, somehow, my hips are that much wider after giving birth - gag.)

*To have my then fat days jeans to become my new skinny jeans, for I still can't fit into any of those jeans. I guess that's because my hips are soooo much wider, huh?

*Most importantly, to feel good about myself again. Mentally and physically, to just feel good.

As a long term list, I'd ideally like to lose a total of 55-60lb and to have my measurements in an "average" range. Of course, I still want to meet my previous goals, and essentially weigh less than my husband.

To help me meet them, A's agreed to let me have a pedicure for every 10lb I lose, and to get my hair completely done for every 25lb.

Here's to meeting new goals!!! What are yours?

Progress

Slowly but surely, I have been making progress.

Though, I'm not ready to share my original measurements yet, I will say that since April 20 (4 months ago) I have lost 11 lb, which is an average of 2.75 lb per month. Progress is progress, but it's definitely not my best. But though I've just been watching what I eat and not really exercising, I guess I get what I deserve.

So by simply not eating garbage I should be proud to say in four months, I've lost 11 lbs. Better than the number on the scales though, is the numbers on my tape which show I've lost 1" off bust, 1/2" off arms, 3.5" off waist, 2.5" off hips, and 2" off thighs!!! That's a total of 9.5 INCHES!!!!

A and I are still in routine of getting up early and exercising though (with the exception of last week because his Dad was camped out in our living room). We did RI30 L1 again this morning. Whew, I'm so afraid of what L3 & L4 might offer. Though, I'm proud to say I can pretty much keep up with the advanced gal and use 5# weights. Unlike 30DS when I couldn't even do the beginner (or any real pushups) with 3# for the entire thing.

Ahh, progress. Little or big, it's better than none at all. Here's hoping exercising again will significantly increase those pound and inches lost!