Hi to everyone.  I have been listening to Scott on the podcasts for about a year and finally decided to check out the website.  So here I am on the 100 day challenge.

August 2006 I started to focus on re training myself how to eat properly.  It took me the better part of a year to get it under control and to be able to refrain from stress and emotional eating (I said it was under control, so I still struggle sometimes).  So December 2007 I took a good look at what I needed to do for myself and to get the life I wanted.  During this 1 year + I lost 25 lbs and 16 inches from my midsection.  I started out at 300 lbs and currently am 275 lbs, luckily I am 5’ 10” tall so I “carry it well”.  I have always been athletic and get on workout spurts that seem to last about 4-5 months, then the 4-5 month break happens. 

Here’s my story in May 2002 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, as of today she is cancer free and doing quite well.  So in October 2002 I made the choice to unemploy myself and move back to Chicago.  A choice I would make all over again, however my career was put on hold.  I was unemployed for about 5 months, found a job in my field making $25K less than I was.  The silver lining in that cloud was I met my finance, Ken.  In 2005, I started dating Ken when I left that job for a better one gaining back the $25K I had lost.  We have been engaged since May 2007 and our wedding date is August 8, 2008. 

Last year my father added one more notch on his belt with health problems, in 1991 at age 50 he had a stroke, bounced back from that.  In 2004 was diagnosed with type II diabetes, has been living well with that.  In May 2005 he had a heart attack while driving his car, had a stent put in and bounced back from that.  In August 2006 we took him to the emergency room because he was having a hard time breathing, by that evening he was in ICU on a ventalator and pretty much we were told that he wasn’t going to live.  He had MRSA which had gotten into his blood.  Basically not even 12 hours from the time we took him to the hospital every organ in his body was shutting down.  Needless to say he bounced back from this against ALL odds. 

How I rank in my family is the strong one who takes care of these issues, I have 3 brothers.  Can you see why I have a problem with my weight and eating habits?  So last year, I decided that I needed to take care of myself so that I could get the life I wanted. 

With my life on track in every way but my weight, I am here on the 100 days of exercise challenge!  So the underlying point is my wedding is 8 months away and I want to be comfortable in my dress and love my pictures.  Overall it is about my health and the rest of my life!

I am on day 8 of the challenge.

December 28th - 60 minutes on treadmill @ 3.5 with a 2 incline
December 29th - 60 minutes on treadmill @ 3.5 with a 2 incline
December 30th - 60 minutes on treadmill @ 3.5 with a 2 incline
December 31st - 60 minutes on treadmill @ 3.5 with a 2 incline
January 1st - 60 minutes on treadmill @ 3.5 with a 2 incline

January 2-3 rest

I know sometimes life gets in the way.  But you can do this!!!  I bet you will look amazing in your wedding dress.  Keep up the good work!

Januaty 4th - 60 minutes treadmill
January 5th - 60 minutes treadmill
January 6th - 60 minutes treadmill

Keep moving!

Wow, you have been through alot.
Keep doing those LSBs and you’re gonna look gorgeous for your wedding. BTW - I just got engaged and my Fiancé picked the same day for our wedding. It’s not set in stone yet but I think it’s funny that we have the same day picked out. Personally, I think he picked it so that he could remember the date! 

How much did you want to lose before the big day? How are you monitoring your food intake?

Keep up the good workouts!

Emmi- Thanks for the encouraging words.  We are wedding date twins, funny you say that about the date.  We were looking at 8/1 but then my finace wanted to change it, so I think there is something to remembering the date!  Congrats on your engagement!  Things will get crazy with planning, so let me know if you want any tips. 

I am not really looking at a number to lose, 40 lbs would be great, but I am just going to keep moving and doing weight training (for those inches).  I am between a 20-22, so a solid 16 by August will be fantastic. 

Food intake, I do keep food journals.  I have done this for the past year, balancing the protein, veggie, fruits and starches.  So I am accustom to this.  I just read about food combining, so I think I will try that too.  Any suggestions?

I may take you up on Wedding Planning tips! Thanks! I think 40 lbs. is totally doable by August. Yes, keeping a food journal really does help. As far as food combining goes, I’m not sure what to tell you except to watch your portion sizes, try to eat veggies with your lean protein rather than white rice or potatoes, and also try not to eat 2-3 hours before bed. I’m sure if anyone else here has anything to add to that, please chime in!

Haven’t posted in a while, had some pretty bad news come my way.  My dad was diagnosed with cancer, we are going through biopsies and lots of doctor visits…

January 9th - 60 minute treadmill @3.5 with 2 incline
January 10th- 60 minute treadmill @3.5 with 2 incline
January 13th - 60 minute treadmill @3.5 with 2 incline
January 15th - 60 minute treadmill @3.5 with 2 incline

Keep the LSB going, I feel great and am motivated to keep my focus through this difficult time.  I am finding that exercise is helping me with the stress and coping with this horrible news. 

Keep moving!

Michele,
So sorry to hear the news about your dad.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Your workouts sound great...consistant!

Keep up the great work and keep us posted on any news

Sorry about your father and all the stress.  Glad you have the healthy frame of mind to stilll focus on YOUR health during this time.

Day 24 of the challenge; worked out 12 days.  Need to get above average. 

January 20th - 60 min. treadmill 3.6 @ 2 incline

You can do this, you are a focused woman who knows what she wants, this is no different from any other goal in your life. There is no doubt in my mind that you can and will do what it takes to keep on moving and look amazing in your dress. This commitment is to you, and as a woman, I know how easy those are to dismiss. But you’ll be stronger for it, and be able to give more of yourself to your family.

I see that you’ve gone up in speed on the treadmill, way to go!

Bree

Have been gone a while.  The time sure does fly by…

We have been going to alot of doctor’s appointments for my dad.  Plus wedding planning and the major snow we have gotten in Chicago. 

Yes, these are all my excuses.  I am back on track and ready to continue the 100 day challenge. 

Technically I left off at day 25,

January 21st - 60 minutes treadmill, 3.6 @ 2 incline

So since I got back on track today, I will count this as day 26? 

February 9th - 60 minutes treadmill, 3.6 @ 2.0

Thanks for all the positive energy!

If you want, you can still count the days that you were sedentary. This is a challenge, not all will necessarily be perfect, and that’s OK. But you can also count today as day 26, either way is totally up to you. This is your challenge, you get to decide.

Now, congratulations for starting back up! That shows you still want this.

Bree

I’m back, with a few bumps in the road (yet again). 

February 10th - 60 min treadmill 3.6 @ 2 incline
February 11th - 60 min treadmill 3.6 @ 2 incline
February 12th - 60 min treadmill 3.6 @ 2 incline

Was out of town for work on the 13th & 14th.  Then I had to go to the ER on the 15th.  I am recovering from a pretty major bacterial infection.  Still not feeling 100%, the meds I am on make me a bit dizzy. 

I am going to try tonight at the gym, by the weekend I want to start weight training. 

I will be travelling for work the majority of March, so I am planning now to get my workouts in at the hotel and eating alot of salads!