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!