So, I am jumping into the weightloss world hook, line and sinker! Not only will I be spending a lot of time working out at the YMCA, I will also be working there! I can't think of a better environment to be in! It will be encouraging to be around likeminded, health conscious people most of the time! The kids are excited - unlimited use of the pool! Doesn't take much to make them happy!

Ok, so I am way over due on my weightloss update! March 16th I went to the nurse at the YMCA and she measured my body fat percentage. I really like the body fat percentage because the scale is not my friend! For some reason the numbers on the scale don't move very fast for me! It is some scientific thing that I can't really understand. There are some who say that muscle weighs more than fat, so when you are working out you are gaining muscle and losing fat. Some say that muscle does not weigh more than fat. It depends on what you read. Opinions are like belly buttons! Every body has one! So, I am choosing to focus on the body fat percentage which was down 5% in a month. As long as that percentage is moving in the right direction I am not going to worry about the numbers on the scale.

I woke up this morning and jumped on the scale. It was down 4 pounds! My weight is now 228. I am very excited about this. My eating has not been perfect. I have been struggling with the little cheats. But the exercise has been good.
here is my exercise schedule:
Monday: cardio sculpt, kickboxing, and body sculpt--this covers cario and weight training

Tuesday: awesome abs and kickboxing--covers cardio and strength training

wednesday: recovery day

Thursday: kickboxing and spinning--covers cardio

Friday: cardio sculpt

Saturday: Boot camp-- cardio and weight training

Sunday: recovery day

My goal is to do cardio 5 days a week and weight training 3 days a week

This is a definate commitment and I can only do it with the help of my Lord and Savior!

The good, the bad, and the ugly!

This is my before picture. I guess I could have smiled, but I just got back from the gym.
I saw the nurse at the YMCA yesterday. She did my measurements.
The Good: I am actually sticking to it this time! This is why I chose to post my progress on my blog. When you post something for the world to see you are more likely to follow through. I am hoping to help myself and others who may be struggling with the same issues.
The Bad: measurements--42.2% body fat. I need to lose almost a whole person! waist--49" hips--49.5".
The Ugly-- Well, there is no ugly because I am "fearfully and wonderfully made!" At least that is what I am telling myself out loud to try to silence the voices in my head!

Psalm 139:14
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works,And my soul knows it very well.

SNOW!!

We had a "big" snowstorm here in southern Georgia! They called it the winterstorm of 2010. I thought that was funny considering how much snow the rest of the country was getting. The only state that didn't get snow was Hawaii. Poor Austin- stuck in Hawaii with no snow!

The first day of the rest of my life!

Something very exciting happened to me the other day at the YMCA! I was in an excercise class that I had been to several times and the teacher, who is a personal trainer, offered to be my personal trainer and nutritionist for free! I have often thought it would be nice to have a personal trainer, but never could afford it. She said that she saw I was trying hard and it would benefit both of us. I know she wants to use my story for her portfolio, but I am ok with that!
For as long as I can remember, my weight has been a struggle for me. Even when I was 18 and weighed a whopping 110 pounds! Oh, how I wish I was 110 pounds again! Now my current weight is 232. That is a scary number. So, keep reading and celebrate with me as the scale goes down! Tuesday will be my weekly weigh in day. I will post my measurements tomorrow.
As a side note, for those of you who think you can't afford a gym membership, the YMCA offers a scholarship program. They will mail you an application if you call them. I would not be able to go if not for this scholarship. It is a wonderful thing!

Back in America

Finally Austin is home from Iraq. Well, not actually "home". He is in Hawaii. I sure wish I could have been there for the ceremony! I hope you enjoy the article and the picture!






65th Engineer Battalion Soldiers Return Home
United States
Description:
Family, friends and loved ones honored more than 330 Soldiers of the 65th Engineer Battalion as they returned from a 12-month deployment to Iraq. The Soldiers marched into the Multiple Deployment Facility to the screams and cheers of loved ones as the theme song to the movie "Rocky" blared over the sound system. The engineers just finished up a year-long deployment to Iraq, where they were based in Tikrit and supported the 25th Infantry Division with general engineering and route clearance missions.

The "First in, Last out" battalion has a distinguished history, including the defense of Oahu following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and heavy combat throughout the Pacific during World War II. The 65th Engineer Battalion also fought in Korea and Vietnam, earning Presidential Unit Citations.