10 Exercises for Women...courtesy of Oprah.com

The goal is to do three sets of 10-15!!





Swiss Ball L Raise

Swiss Ball Tricep Extention

Split Stance Dumbell Curl

Single Leg Dumbell Straight Leg Dead Lift

Single Arm Chest Press

Scaption Shoulder Shrug

Offset Dumbell Lunge

Hip Raises

Mountain Climbers

First Half Marathon...the first of many!!

I have completed the first, of what I hope to be many, half marathons!
















It was a difficult day! I stayed with most of my group because I didn't want to run alone. We made 2 potty stops PLUS fought the wind the entire run! My goal was to make it in under 3:45...which we did!!















I was runner #1150 to cross the finish line, I was #152 out of 158 in my age group, and I finished with an official time of 3:34:21! My pace was a 16.22 mile.
















My goal for my next half marathon?!?! To finish in 3 hours or less!!

Training

I am currently training for my first half marathon, which will take place in November! I am LOVING my training group!! They are AMAZING!!

Wy weight is between 184 and 187...I haven't been as dilligent about tracking my calories!! I need to find my happy medium!!

First 5K

I did my very first 5K on July 17, 2010. I participated in the Girls Just Wanna Run 5K. I was runner #558 to cross the finish line, I was #197 out of 245 in my age division, and my time was 44:42:03!! My pace was a 14:39 mile. GREAT starting point!!

Heart Walk!!

Today was the Heart Walk!! I was nominated for a Lifestyle Change award...AND received it!! WOO-HOO!!!

193!!!!!

Ok...so after tweaking a few things, the scale is on a downward movement again!!! My original goal was to be 190 by the end of the month. I hope to be able to surpass that goal!!!

I went to Plato's Closet with the kids yesterday. I was drawn to their 15/16 junior section. I tried on a couple and they were too big!! Next payday, I am headed back with Beka! I will finish up clothes shopping for her and maybe pick up a couple of things for me!!!

How do you like me NOW??!

Top picture, 195.2...Bottom picture 204

On my way down!!

CELEBRATION!!!

197!!!! I am officially down 60 lbs!!!!! I AM SUPER EXCITED!!!!

199!!!!

I BROKE IT!!! I BROKE THE 200 LB MARK!!! WOO HOO!!!!

HAPPY DANCE!!!

This morning I am doing the happy dance!! I am SUPER excited!!! I stood on the scale and saw DOUBLE ZEROS!!! I am THRILLED!!!

I will post pictures soon!!

Couch to 5k Day 2

OK...yesterday was day 2! I did remarkably well!! I felt that running at 4 mph seemed easier. I was still huffing and puffing, but not horrible.

I am preparing to leave for Vegas!! I am SUPER excited!! I will be with my sisters...the first time in almost 4 years!!! I can NOT wait!!!

I am hoping while I am gone, NOT to fall into my old eating habits!! I am also hoping to continue with my couch to 5k program. The hotel we are staying at has a fantastic gym!! PLUS we plan on walking almost everywhere we go!!

Today...

Today was an interesting day. It started out REALLY good. Then a friend gave me candy for our family for Valentines Day. It just so happened to be my FAVORITE candy!! UGH!!! It wouldn't have been bad, except it threw me into a sugar tailspin!! I had bought heart shaped doughnuts for my kids. I caught myself helping myself to them!!

Well, tomorrow is a new day!!

Shopping

Went shopping today, hoping to find a couple of shirts for me. I ended up hitting some AMAZING sales!! I found 2 $6.00 shirts at Gordmans, 3 $6.00 shirts and a nice red jacket for $9 at Fashion Bug. Its nice to buy smaller clothes...but its FANTASTIC when they are on sale. I am hoping not to be in them too long!! I would like to move to a smaller size soon!! The next size down will take me OUT OF PLUS SIZE CLOTHING!!! WOO-HOO!!!

Couch to 5k program

I am beginning the Couch to 5k program tomorrow. Its designed to help you run 5k (3 1/2 miles) or about 30 minutes in 9 weeks. I have downloaded the following podcasts to help me on this journey!!

http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page6/page6.html
Right click on podcast, select Save As

Going Public...

The question has been raised about me going public with my weight loss and announcing what my heaviest weight was. Here is my philosophy on the subject...

People can look at me and tell that I was/am overweight and unhealthy.

By telling people what I weigh helps me to be accountable. In my previous attempts to lose weight, only one or two people knew how much I weighed. This time HAD to be different. By sharing with others how much I weighed, it helped me to be more accountable...knowing that others were watching and cheering me on!!

The number on the scale doesn't define me...its just a number...a reflection of turmoil that has happened in my life. Some people smoke and drink to deal with their problems...I ate!!

While it is GREAT to watch those numbers on the scale go down, I know that there is more to Gretchen than my weight.

Treadmill!!!

SO...I've been trying to increase my speed, thus decrease the amount of time it takes me to walk/run a mile. I have started doing half mile increments because...I HATE being out of breath!! Tonight I had my BEST TIME EVER...well, since the last time I had P.E. which was in the 9th grade. I ran a half a mile in 6 minutes and36 seconds!! WOO-HOO!!

I ran for a minute and 45 seconds at 5 mph. I am up to walking 4 mph!! PROGRESS!! I remember a year ago, I was struggling to walk 3.2 mph!!

February 7, 2010

Well, this evening, I have found some motivation!! I ate well today and am pumped for the beginning of a new work week!! I am recommitting myself to this process by pledging to lose 25 lbs in the Biggest Loser Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound I lose, the Biggest Loser will donate a pound of food to the Ozark Food Harvest.

My official weigh in days are on Tuesdays...so, HOPEFULLY there is no damage!!

My time on the treadmill is improving!! A mile in 15:48...I can walk 4 mph!! I that is where I began jogging!! YEAH!!

Struggling...

I am struggling. I don't know what it is I am afraid of or why I have reached this place of unhappiness!!

I went shopping with my mom yesterday and bought some cute pants and a couple of tops...as my friend Janet says, "to show off my weight loss."

I should be very proud of what I have accomplished and this should motivate and push me further...but for some reason it doesn't. I don't know if I am physically tired, or just tired of trying so hard!!

I have seen big improvements in me physically. I can run 5 mph on the treadmill for a minute. I can also walk 4 mph...two things I haven't been able to do since...I don't know when. I should really cut myself some slack!!

Incentive??!

My incentive to lose 18 more lbs!! What a way to celebrate...don't you think?? A $600 value on sale for $250!! What a deal!!

I MADE IT!!!!

I am SO excited!! I had set a mini goal to be @205 by the end of January!! I weighed in at 204!!! WOO-HOO!!! I am SUPER excited!!

I have set a mini goal to lose 5 lbs a month. VERY DOABLE!!

We shall see if I can keep it ON TRACK!!!

What To Do With The Blog NOW!!

NOW, I need to decide how I am going to use this log!! Will I upload my calories, steps, and activity every day?? Will I use it to show what I am eating?? Humm...decisions!!

The Dress, Part 2

Well, I have tried the dress on again. A year later, January 2010, it zips. I still don't look GREAT in it...but a WHOLE lot better!!! Now, I've got some toning in the arms and abs to do as well as continue to lose weight!!!

Don't mind the hair, I just finished working out!!

2 months we are having an adult prom, to raise money for project graduation!! I hope that I look incredible in this dress!!

Closing in on 200!!!

Well, I took a bunch of photos to show my progress January 21, 2010. I weighed 204!! I am quickly approaching 200!! I am SO excited!!! My hubby bought me the Bodybugg for Christmas and its been a wonderful tool!!

The Last Football Banquet

Well, I went to Travis' football banquet, December 2009. It will be the last one for my kids!! No more boys playing football. Beka graduates too...so no more water girl!!

I was thrilled with how slim my face is looking!

I weigh 218 lbs!

MOST Detested Picture!!

While out visiting my sister, we went dancing. I was MORTIFIED when I saw this picture. ANOTHER example of WHY I HATE having my picture taken!! I wasn't going to show this to anyone, but when a girl at work showed me her "before" picture, I decided to dig this one out!!

THE Trip to Arizona!!

OH MY GOSH!! How thankful I was to my sister for opening her home!! I was able to spend over a week with my sister! We had the BEST time!! It was GREAT to get away and get some perspective!!

I weighed 224 lbs.

The Second Baby to Leave the Nest

Boy...could this day have NOT come any sooner!! My life was in MAJOR turmoil!! This is my adopted daughter. She was making life pretty misrable for everyone at home!! I was GRATEFUL that we were able to see her through to her graduation. She moved out 2 weeks after this picture. Since then, peace has returned to the Mathews home!!

A month after this picture was taken, I had a complete and hysterectomy.

I weighed 226 lbs.

I was Confused!!

Apparently thought I looked pretty darn cute in this dress. I was losing weight and felt that I looked super cute. Looking back at this picture, I am wondering what in the world I was thinking!!!

I am not sure what is on my face...makeup?!!

I weighed 224 lbs.

Trip to Visit Friends

In February 2009, Rick and I went to
Joplin to see some of his high school buddies. I thought I looked pretty good, as I was losing weight. Needless to say, I was not happy with the way these pictures turned out!

The Dress, Part 1

OK...so my sister came out to visit me in January 2009. I just LOVE her!! Anyway, we went to Name Brand Clothing store to pick out a goal dress for me...to help encourage my weight loss. Well, this is the dress I picked out. It would not zip in the back. I won't torture you by posting the picture, you'll just have to take my word for it!! It was open about 6 inches at the shoulders and about 4 in the middle of my back. At this time I weighed 239 lbs!

Will This be the Last Birthday Over Weight?

This was my 37th birthday. Was this the last birthday over weight??? NOPE!!

The First of my Babies to Leave the Nest!

This picture was taken in May of 2008. My first born was graduating high school. A milestone in both our lives that came WAY TOO SOON!! I was not ready for it!! I was SO sad!!!

My Heaviest

This picture was probably taken at my heaviest. I am not sure exactly how much I weighed, but I am sure that it was over my heaviest known weight, 257. This picture was taken in April 2008.

There was a LOT happening in my life at this time. I was struggling with two teenagers who were making horrible choices, a husband who was never home, a job that put incredible pressures on me, and the list goes on. On top of all of this, I was struggling with depression...I could bearly drag my rear out of bed!!

I hated having my picture taken. This is what I have come to realize! Everyone around me can OBVIOUSLY see how overweight I was and am. I didn't want to take pictures because I didn't want to acknowledge where I was. Now I am embrasing it...its a part of me. You can't change that which you aren't willing to acknowledge!! PLUS, by putting my pictures out there...I have a little pressure NOT to slip back into some bad habits!!

First Successful Attempt at Weight Loss

This was my first successful attempt at losing weight. I thought I had reached my highest weight, 237, April 2002. I busted my rear and worked really hard. In 6 months I lost 50 lbs and reached 187, October 2002. Then life became very confusing!!

In June of 2003, after fighting workman's comp for 9 months, I had to a second surgery on my left knee. In August of 2003, we fostered and then eventually adopted a sibling group of 3 ranging in age from 12-14. Once again, I became last on the list of priorities!!