WOOHOO!!! Down to 182 :)

So I finally got out of the 183lb rut I was in the past few days, which seemed like an eternity!!!  I took a break from exercise on Friday to let my body rest and then last night all I did was 100 crunches, a 50second butt lift exercise and 100 arm lifts...and even though it wasn't that much....my arms and abs felt the burn! lol  I woke up this morning and weighed myself and was soooo sooo excited not to see a 3 on the end.  I think I am finnally moving past my little 3-4day slump.  I think I was excercising too much and not eating enough calories for that amount of exercise, so my body was going into starvation mode and it was causing my weightloss to be stagnant.  I took a day off from working out, took it slow yesterday and added 100 or so more cals to my diet....and lo and behold....a .8 weightloss Saturday and 1lb today.  :)  So excited!!!  Also, I am loving the fact that this whole journey is not just about the numbers on the scale, which don't get me wrong are VERY exciting to see move, but also about learning how my body works and how to be overall a healthy person. 
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I was talking to my boyfriend yesterday about running.  I have never been a runner.  As a kid, I had asthma and was all wheezy, so running just wasn't an option.  As an adolescent/teen, I was overweight, so I was too embarassed to run  and look funny doing it.  As an adult on this weightloss journey, I see other people running, read about other people running while loosing weight and look online at all the different races going on and for some reason I have this weird desire to run....but I have to admit I'm a little terrified.  What if I'm just not a runner....what if I can't do it...I'm scared to try....but if I never try, I will never know.  I never thought I'd be on this journey, but I am, so maybe I can be a runner too.  I dunno why, but the thought of running is more intimidating than the though of losing weight!!  But....I'm not going to let fear get in my way....I am going to run, well, I am going to try anyways lol.  I think I'm going to start with the Couch to 5K.  Have any of yall done that?  I think it's a good way to start slow. :)  So that's the plan....wish me luck!!  ~Kendra~

Sparkpeople

So my boyfriend found a website and I really like it: http://www.sparkpeople.com/ It's all about weightloss and living a healthy lifestyle. They also have inspirtional stories, quotes, meal plans, workout videos and much more....and it's all FREE :) Gotta love that!! Here are a few of my fav quotes:

• "Be not affraid of going slowly, be affraid only of standing still."


• "Arriving at one goal is a starting point for another."


• "You've got to think about big things while your doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction."

I hope you all enjoy checking out the site...let me know what some of your fav weight loss/health related websites are. I would love to check them out!! :) ~Kendra~

Working out...

So, I have been working out a ton this week, but I think I'm going to tak the weekend off. My dr told me at the beginning of this weightloss journey I need to talk working out slow....just start by walking. So I walked for a week before trying out the eliptical....I love doing the eliptical and feel like a burn a ton of calories and feel so good after the workout. The only downside is....I can't get past 183....I've been around 183 all week. I'm ready to see more movement. Last week, I was losing every day. I don't think it's what I am eating, because I am staying right on target with my 1,200 calorie plan. So, what is it? I'm trying not to.....but I'm starting to get a little frustrated. So, I am planning to take the weekend off from working out...besides doing some crunches each day just to keep me moving. Anyone have any ideas what I get do to get out of this little rut?? ~Kendra~

How do you track your weightloss?

I write my daily weight, food/calories I consume and exercise all down in a cute journal I have, but I wanted a move visual and fun way to simply see my weightloss journey progress. I though of what I could do and decided to make a Weight Loss Chart....so here it is:

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I simply took a large poster board, letter & flower designs and created this chart. The graph part was made by cuting apart a classroom attendance chart I got for $1 at Dollar Tree. Then I placed my date/weight on the chart using colorful dots, which were also purchased at Dollar Tree for $1. I got the letters, shapes and poster markers at Dollar General. The total cost of supplies was around $10. I just love how it turned out and am excited to add more dots to the chart!! :) ~Kendra~

Water...I'm Lovin It!!!

Lately, I have been drinking water like it's going out of style....lol I haven't had any soda/cokes since Thanksgiving and I have had anything but water for over a week now. (I was starting to get addicted to sweet tea) I am just loving water...plain old water. :) Before this journey really got going, to drink water I would have to mix it with stuff like those little packets of lemonade, but now I just like it plain!! Do you like water or are you still grasping to get those 8 glasses a day?

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Oh another topic...It is currently "my time of the month" but I have been able to maintain my weight. I'd really like to see more losing, but I am very happy I'm not gaining!! Also, I think the nightly walks have really helped with symptoms like cramps and just puts me in an overall better mood.

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Hope you are all doing well on your journey and your week is full of progress and moves closer to your goal!! :) ~Kendra~

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PS: I'm also thinking of charting my weight and giving myself an "award" each time I reach a goal....have you ever done this? Do you think it's a good idea? What could the awards be?

Wow....1 More!! :)

You can probably tell from the title....I weighed my self this morning and lost 1lb....Woohoo!!!! I called my mom and we both celebrated on the phone. I believe you have to celebrate all the little victories along the way...it's more fun that way. :) hehe
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Last night after dinner, I took my nightly walk and walked a little over a mile, but this time I added more arm movement and man was I tired by the end!! As soon as I got back to my apartment I took a cold bath...and let me tell you..it was GREATNESS!! Don't you love the feeling of a cold bath/shower after a super hard/sweaty workout. I <3 it.
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I really enjoy walking! (Much more than I thought I would) I have actually decided I want to set a goal for my walking to keep me motivated to do more and it will give me something to look forward to. I am planning to walk in the "Totally Psyched 5K Run/Walk" at the University of North Texas on April 16th. :) Yay!!! A 5K= a little over 3miles, so I definitely have some work to do to get there, but I believe I can do it!! :) And believing is 1/2 the challenge!
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Hope everyone is have a great and healthy weekend. ~Kendra~

Yummy Meal

So, since I'm so new to to the whole counting calories game, I am trying to find foods I enjoy that are low calorie. Tonight for dinner I definately found a winner. (Wow, that totally rhymed) Anyways, this meal only totals 220cals and it is super yummy and only likes minutes to make. :) I'm not someone who wants to cook, I want to be able to throw it together quickly and easily and this is that kind of meal. On to the food.....
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So first I simply heated up a potatoe (110 cals) for about 7mins in the microwave.
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Then I warmed up 1 Italian Style Chicken Breast Fillet (110 cals per fillet) for 6 minutes. I think I will warm it up a little less next time, because it wasn't quiet as soft as I'd like, but it was definately still good!

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Then I added a little (2tbs) of the Great Value Mild Salsa (o cals) to add some yummyness to the baked potatoe and BOOM...there's dinner :)

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What's your fav quick and simple low cal meal? ~Kendra~