A Big Ten

Today is Big Ten day.

It marks day ten of my Thirty Day Shred commitment, as well as week ten of weight watchers.

To date, I have lost 23.5 pounds and now comfortably weigh in under 160 at 157.5.

While this past week has not been my best week diet-wise, I still managed to lose at least 1.5 pounds. I say at least because, well, it is that time of the month. You know, when a woman's body holds on to any and all water it possibly can as if her life depended on it? Yeah. Water weight.

My lovely shredheads are doing a Day 10 Graduation Day, which means level 2 begins!

There will be no pictures this time around. I am saving pictures for the end so that I can really see the progress that 30 days of exercise has given my body. The changes need to be bigger than ten days can offer me so that I know it is worth it to keep on moving. Keep on pushing.

Here we go. Level 2.

Feel The Burn

I feel the burn.

Working out for just over 20 minutes and feeling like you truly accomplished something is absolutely awesome. I love this workout.

Yesterday I failed, though. I skipped a day. I didn't Shred and I didn't even get outside to take a nice long walk. Can I blame the killer headache I had all day? Or the exhaustion that just would.not.leave?

No? Okay. Well, I worked out this morning so I'm back on track for the week.

As of Friday, March 6, I was down to 159. That is under 160, which was my first goal! Who knew reaching a goal could feel so good?

Thirty pounds to go!

Shredding it Up

This morning I did my second day of the 30 Day Shred. It was already easier. I don't know if I can say that one day made a real difference or if I remembered that, Hey!, I can push myself.

My quadriceps are sore, as are my triceps. And it feels really, really, good. It's not the kind of soreness where you know you pushed yourself too hard, it's that nice soreness where you know that you pushed yourself. And that is great.

And push myself I have. I've been getting back into serious-mode with Weight Watchers, and while it has only been two days of exercise I can feel that this will become a trend. I even, ::gasp::, posted those pictures of my fat self.

I have already had a few people ask me why I would share those pictures, and the answer is pretty simple: As I said before, when I look at myself it is.not.me. This body that I'm in? Isn't me.

That makes me sound like a nut job, and maybe I am. I posted those pictures so that I can remind myself later of what I don't ever want to become again. If I can successfully lose the disgusting muffin top and saggy belly, I'll have those pictures to remind me of what happens when I get lazy.

The Beginning

In the beginning, there was Allison. She, unfortunately, had gotten fat.

I went to college weighing 125 pounds. A healthy weight for my 5'5" frame. Then, well, I was in college. The freshman fifteen were joined by the sophomore ten. But I still had a pretty hot bod:

Then, I got pregnant.

After the birth of my son, I continued to put on the pounds. I was hungry all. the. time. while I was nursing, and somehow that hunger didn't dissipate when I stopped nursing. So, I put on more weight.

I couldn't take it any longer. When I looked into the mirror I was appalled. Who IS this person, and what has she done with the real Allison? I was gone. The reflection was not me, it was some fat, unhappy, version of me. An imposter. An imposter weighing in at over 180 pounds.

On January 6th, I started Weight Watchers. And by eating 25, or fewer, points every day for the past (almost) two months I have successfully dropped down to 160 pounds. Losing those 20 pounds has already helped me get rid of the person in the mirror who I loathed. She is leaving. Slowly, but surely.

The last two weeks, though? The weight loss has been s.l.o.w. Too slow for my liking. Which, to me, means it's time to kick it up a notch and focus on not only eating well, but also exercising. Regularly.

The wonderful Kim has decided to join Motherhood Uncensored's Shred, which uses Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred to kick you into shape. I've decided to join these wonderful women and have started this blog to follow my weight loss journey from this point on.

Here I go, from day 1 of the 30 day shred, with much thanks to Motherhood Uncensored for starting this and to Kim for sharing the link:

a) Before pictures

I cannot believe that I am sharing these, but oh.my.god.here.they.are:

I apologize for the crappy quality, but quite frankly? I feel better that it is hard to see me. Because hoo boy do I have a long way to go still.

b) Weight

As of Friday, February 28th, I was 161.2.

c) Goal

My goal is to get down to 130, or to the point where I can feel good about myself again.

d) Diet Plan

I will continue on my Weight Watchers journey, eating 25 or less points each day. I will drink more water and continue only drinking alcohol once a week.

e) Shred Plan

Jillian Michaels' Shred can kick my ass five days a week. The other two days a week I will make sure to get in some extra walking while wearing my super cool pedometer.

So, there you have it.

Jillian Michaels: BRING IT.