The Fit By Labor Day Challenge is officially over. Today (Sunday) marks the end of the 8-week challenge, which means it's time for the Before and After pictures. I've been anxious to see the difference, and hopeful that it would be a dramatic transformation. So...here are the pictures! I can't believe I'm doing this!
How did I achieve these results and how am I going to maintain/improve?
My dietary changes were fairly minimal. I cut out extra calories by eliminating all drinks with sugar, I decreased my portions, and I tried to make healthier choices. I also tried to minimize my late night snacking and eat breakfast every morning. I am amazed at how quickly my appetite (and stomach) shrank. It takes less to fill me up, which means less calories consumed each day, which means the fewer I need to burn to maintain my current weight. But if I want to eat a cupcake and some ice cream, I eat them. I just make sure I exercise just a bit more to burn them off! All in all, these changes have been easy to live with and thus will be easy to maintain.
Running has been my exercise of choice, and will continue to be a part of my regular exercise routine at least 3 days per week. I am on the last week of the Couch to 5K running program and will be competing in a 5K on the 19th of this month. I plan to continue running a 5K every once in a while to keep me motivated and striving for new goals.
My other exercising has consisted of what I call my "Bubby Exercises". These are exercises I do while holding my 20+ pound 1-year old son. I typically do them twice a day. 50 squats, 50 side way lunges, 25 regular lunges, and 50 torso twists. Since I do these exercises as part of Bubby's nap routine they are my "mandatory" exercises every day. Once he's down to 1 nap a day, I guess I'll have to increase my reps, or just do them some other time during the day. I also do several sets of 25 push ups throughout my day. Push ups are the best exercise! They work your whole body, especially your arms and abs. MUST continue with them!
Other incidental exercise opportunities include walks with the kids (at least 4 times a week), push mowing the yard, swimming in the lake, and playing/dancing with the kids. Winter is just around the corner so I won't be doing any swimming in the lake or mowing the yard, but I will continue taking walks and playing/dancing with the kiddos!
I can't say that this challenge was hard, but it wasn't easy! Making the time to run was probably the hardest part. But now that I am committed to running, it is not an option to miss a run. It has become part of my lifestyle. I am now (again) a runner. Running time is my time. My only alone time 3 days a week. You better believe I'm going on my run!
My goal for this challenge was to lose 10-15 pounds. I lost 14! I started at 129 pounds and ended at 115 pounds. I am extremely pleased! But really, the numbers don't matter to me as much as the result. I am ecstatic that my baby belly is almost gone and I'm starting to look fit again!
I think there's a nice change. The hubby thinks there's a big difference, but he's always very supportive and complimentary of me. What do you think?
B4 - 129 lbs After - 115 lbs
How did I achieve these results and how am I going to maintain/improve?Diet and exercise!
My dietary changes were fairly minimal. I cut out extra calories by eliminating all drinks with sugar, I decreased my portions, and I tried to make healthier choices. I also tried to minimize my late night snacking and eat breakfast every morning. I am amazed at how quickly my appetite (and stomach) shrank. It takes less to fill me up, which means less calories consumed each day, which means the fewer I need to burn to maintain my current weight. But if I want to eat a cupcake and some ice cream, I eat them. I just make sure I exercise just a bit more to burn them off! All in all, these changes have been easy to live with and thus will be easy to maintain.
Running has been my exercise of choice, and will continue to be a part of my regular exercise routine at least 3 days per week. I am on the last week of the Couch to 5K running program and will be competing in a 5K on the 19th of this month. I plan to continue running a 5K every once in a while to keep me motivated and striving for new goals.
My other exercising has consisted of what I call my "Bubby Exercises". These are exercises I do while holding my 20+ pound 1-year old son. I typically do them twice a day. 50 squats, 50 side way lunges, 25 regular lunges, and 50 torso twists. Since I do these exercises as part of Bubby's nap routine they are my "mandatory" exercises every day. Once he's down to 1 nap a day, I guess I'll have to increase my reps, or just do them some other time during the day. I also do several sets of 25 push ups throughout my day. Push ups are the best exercise! They work your whole body, especially your arms and abs. MUST continue with them!
Other incidental exercise opportunities include walks with the kids (at least 4 times a week), push mowing the yard, swimming in the lake, and playing/dancing with the kids. Winter is just around the corner so I won't be doing any swimming in the lake or mowing the yard, but I will continue taking walks and playing/dancing with the kiddos!
I can't say that this challenge was hard, but it wasn't easy! Making the time to run was probably the hardest part. But now that I am committed to running, it is not an option to miss a run. It has become part of my lifestyle. I am now (again) a runner. Running time is my time. My only alone time 3 days a week. You better believe I'm going on my run!
My goal for this challenge was to lose 10-15 pounds. I lost 14! I started at 129 pounds and ended at 115 pounds. I am extremely pleased! But really, the numbers don't matter to me as much as the result. I am ecstatic that my baby belly is almost gone and I'm starting to look fit again!
I think there's a nice change. The hubby thinks there's a big difference, but he's always very supportive and complimentary of me. What do you think?
12 comments:
Wow! Great job. I actually thought you looked pretty good in the before picutres, but I can see why you're excited about the after.
Congrats!
just stopping by from SITS to say hi; hope you'll do the same.
You look amazing!! You even look taller in the photos! Way to go!!!
WOOOOOOOOOO!!! look at you!! that's awesome!! and you are BRAVE!! but seriously...you looks amazing! congrats!
Holy Cow!!! I weighed the same at the beginning & only lost 6.5 lbs! I didn't have as much willpower as you though :) You looke great before but now you look amazing! Awesome job mama.
You look great! Wow...14lb?! That's AWESOME!
Congratulations. You look fantastic!
Awesome job! You can really tell a difference!
Okay, I read about your Couch to 5K a while back and, I'll admit it, I rolled my eyes. I wondered how much of a difference could it make... but girl, you look AMAZING!! I do weights a lot so I'm prolly between your Before and After bods. Maybe if I do the Couch to 5K, I'll be like you are now, which is h-o-t.
Way to be brave, I could NEVER do that. But I love you for doing it and you have no reason to hide anything. Your body looks incredible.
Way to go! Glad see I am not the only brave sole posting the before and after pics.
Congratulations! You are an inspiration. I need to lose about 15# and you really have given me a push.
You go girl!......and a big Happy Birthday to Bubby. Hope you all are having a beautiful weekend.
WOw, I'm a believer, I'm a believer!
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