Pictures Update

Good morning/afternoon/evening!  I am now down (just shy of) 32 pounds!!!  Weighing in at just about 208.  I started at 240.  Can't wait to get below 200!!!!!!!

  I have been keeping a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of my progress and without further adieu..... here is a look from July 2013 and January 2014.  Now, it still isn't pretty... but it's pretty progress!  Sooo if you aren't ready to see a big ole pale tummy, click out now...
















seriously........













here it comes!

It's pretty cool to see the tummy shrink!  My only thing is I don't know what to do about the back - it is pretty darn gross still and am afraid it won't be bikini ready for #bikiniby30.  I have been getting up at 4:30am every day before work to get my cardio in.  I manage to get in some weight training - a tiny bit.  I have also signed up for my second 5k with the ColorVibe Run and am totally stoked!  Going to do this one with some friends.  Our team is "No Teacher Left Behind"  ;)  That is going to be in March so I'm getting ready for that!  I'm working out 6 days a week these days.  I'm going to try and get it to 2-a-days but right now I'm so exhausted after teaching that I haven't made it in the evenings yet.  I just took over a new class and I have been there until 5-6pm every night.  After getting up at 4:30, working out, then teaching a bunch of 6-7 year olds, I'm wiped out.  I'm hoping after I get my new routines down that I should be getting the 2-a-days in very soon!  Less than 6 months to go until the big 3-0!  Ahhh!  

As an added bonus, my rump is getting a hump!  I'm pretty proud that i'm getting some definition down there...

Sorry for the wrinkles - it was before I put my pants in the dryer to de-wrinkle :) but look at that little bubble that's starting!

I also tried on my bikini from 2001 (yes, 13 years ago... still sitting in my drawer) that I wore in the privacy of my own home.  Now, I was able to get the top on (WOO HOOO) but it looks TERRIBLE so I chopped that bottom half off.  Hopefully I'll be ready in 6 months to wear it all out in public!  My dear friend Molly also told me to turn that thumb around and smile - she's right.  This is progress!!!!  And hey, I got the darn thing on and it covered my whole bottom lol.  I have come a long way and still have a long way to go!

"A little perspective, like a little humor, goes a long way." - Allen Klein 

Shopping in My Own Closet!

Another exciting update - down another 2.5 pounds making it 22 total!!!  I'm nearly a quarter into my goal of 100ish pounds and I'm only two months in.  I HAVE TO KEEP THIS UP!!  As I said before, I was on the Whole30 lifestyle.  A friend of mine came to town and I kept it up for the most part - but did go off the lifestyle for a few days.  I had a few beers and a mojito along with some conch fritters and key lime pie (we were in Key West.)  I was nervous to see how my body would react since I hadn't had any crap food for a month.  I did have some lettuce wraps as well.  My body took it just fine, thankfully.  Then I decided to go back on for another 30 days.  May as well since I'm feeling great.  Within the last week, I've noticed my skin is as soft as a baby's bottom and my nails are getting hard again.  For a little bit I thought they were getting a little brittle and I thought that may be from cutting milk out of my diet... but all is better now.  I just need to look up what other foods have calcium besides milk to keep my bones strong!

There's me and my BFF on the Key West Express heading back to Southwest Florida.  I can see thinner legs and a thinner mid section.  My face is also thinning out.  Well, I'd hope so after 20 pounds :)  

After today's weigh-in, I was curious if any of my bagged clothes (sizes 10-16) would fit.  I found some white capris - SIZE 14 (Sonoma brand which I think run on the bigger size) and a few shirts and a skirt!  Put them in my "I can wear now" drawer and picked out a new outfit for work tomorrow. :)  A lovely salmon colored skirt with a cute black top.  HOLLER!  

I have to say that I was super excited to get ready for my Penn State football... and it's crazy how my mind has changed.  I love beer!  Something was different this past Saturday...I didn't want it.  You're thinking, "Jennifer, no beer during Penn State football? Who are you?"  I don't know!  It's crazy how my mind is changing along with my body.  I can't explain it.  Did I have a beer? I did... because it was free... and I didn't even really enjoy it.  WHAT?!  I also felt I needed to order more since I was in a restaurant taking up a table to sit for four hours and watch a game.  I've been a waitress and I know they rely on tips so in my mind I felt like I needed to order it (even though it was free for a promotion) so I could tip them more.  Looking back it makes no sense because I could still tip more without the beer.  I'll remember that for next week... I don't haaaaaaave to order it just because it's free and I'm there.  I can have a water or iced tea and just leave a few extra bucks. I think I was curious to see how it would taste, too, after changing my eating habits.  Now I know :)

Now, I debated on whether or not I wanted to put up these next pics.  I decided to do it because, after all, this is a weight loss blog, and I am proud of what I've accomplished so far.  With that said, it is of me in a sports bra and shorts so if you don't want to see that, X out right now.  For those that care to keep track and actually see the progress I've made, scroll on down.......

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deep breath.

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and some of you thought my showing my scale number was brave... lol....

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can't believe I'm about to share this....  are you sure you want to look?

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July 28, 2013 and August 28, 2013

There I am... 20 pounds down!  I can see my face has thinned... I have more neck to see... even my chest now that I'm checking myself out... I can see a difference there.  Buh bye D cups...   The gut -- I can see on the right some more "definition" instead of just one big blob... it's very small, but I can see it.

Well, not much of a change there... but that bottom roll is less... rollish? Very small change.  BUUUT it's a change!

Here I can see a change in my booty.  It has slimmed down... which I noticed in my tankini swim shorts -- THEY SAG!  Good thing there is a skirt thing around it to hide it until I get a new suit (hopefully bikini!!!) next summer :)  It'll do for winter time in Florida :)

Phew, that's over with... and it only goes "down" from there :)

"The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken." - Samuel Johnson

No Bones About Me

So back at 230...again. +1 this week.  I need to hit the ground running, literally.  Was able to sneak out for one 3 mile walk while I was home in Florida. Did a workout tape with the sis last night, made stuffed green peppers with ground turkey -- added some hot chilis and pizza sauce (yes, pizza sauce...trying to get rid of stuff in the fridge. All tastes the same!)  They were yummo.  Have been eating oatmeal for breakfast with a banana the past two days and salads for lunch.  Last night was family dinner night. "Family dinner night" is something a few friends and I started in college around the holidays -- I'd make a big turkey day and xmas dinner before the breaks. Moving back, we do it on a weekly basis. It's a lot of fun to get together and eat some yummy food and watch Wheel of Fortune -- yelling at everybody who keep buying vowels instead of spinning. It finally bit somebody in the butt last night when it came to the final round before the last puzzle.

Speaking of TV -- ya'll watch the Victoria's Secret Nothing But Bones Fashion Show?  The girls are absolutely gorgeous until the camera pans from their face and goes down and you look at lack of meat. C'mon ladies. Eat more than a Tic Tac for your big meal of the day. Just bones and boobs doesn't turn guys on these days...and we finally have proof. A Penn State student -- male -- Ryan Beckler -- has spoken up.  Victoria, We've Got Our Own Secret.  While most girls were writing on their social media sites how awful they were feeling about themselves, I was feeling pretty good about my 11..well, now 10 pound weight loss knowing that I don't have a boney butt.  My goal is not to at all to go beyond what is healthy -- not saying those girls aren't healthy .... I'm no doctor that has evaluated them. But, I don't want to lose all my curves -- just a few love handles. And I want to be healthy. The lowest I ever got to was a size 10 my junior year of high school. My goal was to be thin by prom. I was pretty cute, if I do say so myself. Then I let myself go -- again. And here I am trying to get back to those size 10 Tommy Hilfiger shorts I have in my drawer at home. I don't think I could go any lower than a size 8 to look good for my body and build and that's cool, yo.

Junior Prom 2001 -- 10 years ago already? YIKES! With my uncle Jerry and sister, Heather

Man, that picture is some inspiration. I can't wait to get back to that weight!

My only thing about the article is -- how many of you good looking, built boys are with overweight chicks? Not many. So what's up with that?  Obviously, first thing you notice about a person is appearance. No brainer. We've all judged a book by the cover ... admit it. Sure, I have. But, I will still talk to the person to get to know them. You know how many times I've talked to a hot guy and then realized how dumb and not funny he was? That will make us ladies (and gents) think you aren't as attractive as we first thought. Same goes for an "unattractive" or "overweight" guy. You WILL become more "attractive" if you have brains and can make us laugh. 'Tis true.  It's happened to me before. So, gents, go talk to that overweight girl with the pretty face...she could be trying to get her life in order in many ways. You never know what you'll find. Could be a single, corny, funny, Penn State enthusiast, sports loving and screaming chick with a college degree like me *coughcough*

My friend Molly and I have decided to be more open about our dating options. We decided one night before going out that we were going to talk to any guy we saw -- started on the bus. We ended up meeting some really awesome...and interesting people that night. So, go give it a try. Go out tonight or this weekend and look at a group of gals/dudes. Just go start talking.  

One more quick story on that note -- there was a guy I met in college that I became pretty good friends with. In high school he was the hot jock. I was the quiet chick in the marching band.  In college, we were both journalism majors on our way to Ohio State for the weekend to cover the football game. We knew nothing about each other until we got in the car and started talking. Amazing just how much we had in common and could talk about different things. I just kept thinking to myself of all the other people I possibly passed up in life. Here I was, the quiet chick with the hot jock. Anyway, no, nothing ever happened -- he had a girlfriend and I was dating a couple other guys at the time anyway. Proof right there that men and women can just be friends, too :)  I do owe him a phone call, though. I'm kinda behind on that front -- sorry friends!

PS: My friend who is an up and coming amazing personal trainer and confidence building life coach made it on CNN on Thanksgiving for the 2nd year in a row!!!!!!! I've mentioned her in blogs past when I did her 30 day plan. She definitely gets to your mind and makes you think about your journey to a healthy life style. Definitely check her out -- and her newsletter is free! CONGRATS, STEPH!!!!!!!

"I wake up every day with the realization that this is it. There's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am" -- Unknown

+1 Post Cruise

Though this is a weight loss blog, I feel like I can't go without mentioning the Jerry Sandusky child rape allegations. I, along with thousands of others, grew up with blue and white blood running through our veins and Joe Paterno as a grandfather figure. A man with morals. A man who wouldn't let his players take the field if they weren't making the grade. A man whose team is tied #1 for the best graduation success. Our alma mater lyrics, "...May no act of ours bring shame." A motto JoePa strives for: "Success with Honor." You all know what you saw in the media, I don't need to bring that up. But, I'm tired of hearing how Penn State is an awful school, we're all terrible people for "rioting" (all 50 people out of 40,000 that did damage....and I've heard that some of the people that did damage were, once again, not affiliated with Penn State. IE, high schoolers. Also heard that the media was egging on people to do damage.) What you haven't heard is this: Penn State students, alum, friends, and supporters have raised nearly $400,000 for RAINN. Please don't comment on this blog about how "JoePa is so dirty he needs to shower." (Yes, a plane flying over the tailgate on Saturday actually said that.) But, let's CLICK HERE to make it to our goal of $500,000 and exceed that and HELP those that have been hurt by this God awful situation. Thank you.


Now, some more depressing news. I'm up a pound to 230...so down 10 since the start. But, that's post cruise where I admit I drank and ate like a queen. Kept the frozen drinks to two. (You MUST have a Coco Loco.) And drank for the most part light beer...with the exception of an overly crazy liquor night where I danced my butt off. I did incorporate salads and fruit throughout the trip and walked a few times with my mom while I was home 3 miles around the neighborhood. I'm finally feeling better after being sick before the cruise! Going on the cruise just brought the sickness back and when I got back to PA I couldn't walk fast without feeling like I was hacking up a lung. After a few doses of Mucinex (which I don't recommend taking during the day because it'll make you feel sick to your stomach. I took it before bed the next night and woke up soooooo much better.) I feel like I'll be able to wog again! Looking forward to getting back in my routine now that football season (in State College) is over.

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." -- Jim Rohn

Foul Mood

I warned you in the title.  So I've been very happy about the 12 pound loss so far...until last night.  Went shopping for some cute clothes for this upcoming weekend since I wanted to kind of "treat" myself..and a guy I dated in college will be here so yeah, duh, what girl doesn't wanna buy a new outfit for that occasion? ...and none of the cute ones fit.  But, I'm not letting this get to me at all.  I was with my friend Molly, and I bought some of them and called them my "spring time outfits." Now I have something to look forward to there. When we left the one store she told me to just walk faster -- HAHA. We did. Gotta keep that heart 'a pumpin'.

Today was a miserable day, too. October 2, and apparently it was snowing this morning at 7am. I was sleeping through that...but my friend Marc helped his brother move up from Florida and they were getting into town at that time and witnessed the horrific event.  I'm so not ready for winter...put on the heat last night.

Went out to buy my local paper today...and even though it was a misty rain, I got my paper and walked my 2.2 miles anyway.  I'm proud of that.  Otherwise I'd be sitting right here like I am right now....clipping coupons. Love saving me some moula!

Stopped by the farmer's market yesterday and bought some zucchini (going to make zucchini bread again for this week's tailgate) and I also bought kale. Now, I've never made kale; only ate it in the soup at Olive Garden but I hear great things about it. God bless Google for recipes!  I was talking to some ladies at the Sustainable Kitchen and one mentioned kale chips. I've heard of them and I figured I'd give them a whirl. To my surprise, they were pretty damn tasty!

Now, I know what you're thinking..."Jen, that looks like a pile of leaves you just picked up off the ground." I swear, it's kale. What you do is wash it and dry it. I used my lovely salad spinner thing. Then, I sprayed my pan with cooking spray...threw the leaves...I mean kale on the pan...sprayed the kale with cooking sprayed, sprinkled some garlic salt and red peppers flakes on them. Preheated the oven to about 330 and cooked them 8-10 minutes. If you love potato chips this is a great alternative. Talk about health benefits -- this is loaded with vitamins. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I ate that whole damn thing there during the PSU football game (which we won't talk about here...)

To end on a positive note, I "finished" my Step it Up with Steph program. I say "finish" in "" because you're never finished. The mind is the most important thing when it comes to weight loss. If you're not in the right frame of mind then forget it.  Her program helps you one day at a time to keep your mind where it needs to be and sets it where it needs to go.  I learned a lot..and have my "cheerleader" -- actually, I have a lot of those now that I look at it.  Thanks again to all of you keeping on my booty... to make it a slimmer one ;)

"The rest of the world lives to eat. while I eat to live" - Socrates

Sorry for the delay...

First off, my apologies for my lack of blogging and a huge THANK YOU to those that remembered Wednesday is my weigh in day and have been asking where the new blog updates are. You really help to keep me on my toes. The last two weeks have been insane. I did have a couple fabulous workouts at my gym. WOOT WOOT. Then last week I was so swamped with work, I fell behind with everything -- blogging, exercising, and my Step it Up with Steph workbook. I got caught up today...phew! I certainly learned a lot and had some interesting exercises. She had a quote in there about treating your body like it's your friend. Never thought about that before. You don't want to treat you friend like poop with giving him/her junk food and crap all the time -- you want you friend to be successful and happy in their life.  That was very interesting. Another thing was reading about how people that always think they are right are miserable. Man, could that not be any more true!!!!!!! I took a recent event and thought, "Wow, that is so dead on."

OK, so now that's out of the way, I must say...I was feeling kind of down last week with still at the same freaking weight. Then, I was getting ready to go out to the bar for my dear friend's 21st birthday and I started trying on some old clothes...THEY WERE FITTING BETTER!!!

(I'm the one in silver! Haha...OK, stop laughing ;) )

But I noticed the fat rolls/muffin top/love handles/insert nickname here had gone down...and I fit a little less snug in my skirt. HOLLER! So that made me feel good. I limited myself to three drinks throughout the night...and we boogied on the dance floor to shake off some calories. It was a great night.

This past weekend I went to Philly with my friend and saw a bunch of friends and family I haven't seen in quite some time. Though the Penn State game had it's up...and downs...the Phillie's game was great! My second Phillie's game...first in the new stadium which is pretty bangin'.

My friend from college, Claudia, and me outside Lincoln Financial Field

From the picture I first posted in the blog from my trip to Vegas in May til now, I can see changes in my face...thank goodness! 

Last night I was watching The Biggest Loser for the first time in several seasons. Not sure why I stopped watching...I think because I had "given up" on myself for a while. But, I watched last night and was shocked to see that I could be a contestant! I weigh the same as some of them now! Definitely not a good feeling. The only good feeling was knowing that I could definitely do better in that mile run/walk to get to my trainer of choice. 

I went grocery shopping last night and bought some romaine lettuce for wraps...flatbread for sammies and a bunch of other healthy fruit and veggies. I plan on making hummus for this week's tailgate -- my apologies for garlic breath ahead of time. But, it's so gosh darn healthy and delish. My mom gave me a homemade recipe which is out of this world. Here...I'll even share.

In blender or food processor, 1 garlic clove (I used minced garlic that I have in my fridge), 1 can chick peas drained, juice of 1 lemon ( 2 tsps...I used lemon from the bottle in my fridge), little salt, little hot sauce, 2 sprigs fresh thyme ( I used it from the spice rack). Blend all that and then add olive oil till the consistency you like!!

Now, I think I added quite a bit extra garlic and lemon and thyme to it. You have to keep adding and tasting until you get it the way you like. Actually, I think I added extra of everything lol. I love to taste spices and herbs.  My friends really liked it, too.

I guess I should write about the weigh-in. Still the freaking same...though I'm not surprised with the lack of exercise from last week. I also failed myself in saying I would only have one cookie at the tailgate. I had three. Oh I was...am so mad!!! But, it reminds me for future tailgates how pissed I am now so I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!

And once again, thank you thank you thank you to all my friends and family keeping me on track. Through Facebook, phone calls, texts and even gmail chat -- you keep checking on me and I love it. I'm so glad I started this blog. Now it's time to start work for the day :)

My quote this blog comes from The Biggest Loser last night when Debbie got kicked off.

"It is OK for me to think about myself; that I can have a life, too" -- Debbie, The Biggest Loser

Holding Steady

Hopped on the scale this morning, and I'm still at 230. Not going to let that get to me, though. Just started using weights again.  Good news is I'm not pinching as many inches on those awful love handles as I was last week. Wish I would have measured around before I started this final transition!  Can definitely feel a difference in how I'm feeling and seeing definition start in the legs..WOO HOO!  Oh how I miss my high school calves...

It's been raining nonstop here in Happy Valley since Sunday so I went to the gym last night (and am about to head out there today.) Walked 45 minutes at different inclines and speeds between 3.0-3.5 or 7 and worked the arm machines. Today I'll see if any ellipticals are available -- those are my fave! And then I'll work my walking sticks on the machines. Have to get ready to climb to the top of Beaver Stadium again -- what a haul. Hmm...stadium steps anybody? Those about killed me in high school, literally...had to do them in band camp and my throat started to close up. EEK! Anyway, my mind and body are progressing along this lovely path of weight loss....

"You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be" -- David Viscott