Keep on keepin' on

I have been plugging along as usual, counting calories and working out. I have been slacking in the strength training department and my arms are suffering for it. I have lost a lot of weight in them recently but they just look like deflated balloons full of cottage cheese :(

My calorie count for now is 1600 and I have been doing 30 minutes on the elliptical about four or five days a week.

I have been a good girl and taking my meds, vitamin included, and trying to drink a good amount of water.

I am wearing size 20 jeans very comfortably and this morning I weighed in at 237 lbs which was my pre-pregnancy weight with Aidan over 5 years ago. I haven't seen that weight since my six week post-partum visit in March of 2006.

My body is definitely not the same as it used to be. Everything is so much more..."hangy" this time. I guess two kids will do that to a girl. That's why they invented plastic surgery, right?

Here are this week's pictures:

I realize that I have been looking like a hot mess in all of these photos but, in my defense, I take them before heading out to the gym.

So here is a pic of my face with a little makeup:

Oh! I almost forgot! I met my St. Paddy's Day goal of getting out of the 240's. Next mini-goal is to get out of the 230's by Easter Sunday.

8 weeks later

I just needed to pat myself on the back for a minute. I started my lifestyle overhaul 8 weeks ago and this is what happened:

1. I quit smoking, cold turkey, and have not had a cigarette for 8 weeks.

2. I have lost 27.4 pounds, which is over 10% of my starting body weight.

3. I have gone from a size 24 jean to a size 20, and a pretty snug size 18 :^:

4. I have learned an enormous amount about food and am amazed at the garbage I used to shove down my throat by the pound on a daily basis.

5. I have gone from barely being able to do 3 minutes on the elliptical to doing a full 30 to 40 minutes.

6. I am starting to recognize the face I see in the mirror.

7. I am starting to gain more self confidence.

I still have a very long road to travel but I am determined to reach my destination.

Here's to another productive eight weeks!