I know I haven't posted in awhile but it has been a busy summer and weight loss was basically put on hold. I injured my knee the beginning of June - bruised right knee bone, which takes a long time to heal and is still somewhat sore. So yoga was put on hold and bike riding and anything that irritated it. As far as my weight loss efforts, I have maintained mostly up until mid July and then I gained approximately 7 lbs since. I have a grip on it so far, keeping tabs on it and my diet so it doesn't go any higher. I have just had a lot of added stress in my life and thus the eating with it. It should be easier with everyone out of the house during the day though, hopefully.

The Final Weight Loss Results

I am a bit late in posting this but the final results are in on the weight loss challenge. Chuck did great. He lost 26 lbs. Currently, he has lost 30+ lbs. He came in second on the most weight lost and won $105 too. I didn't win anything but then I didn't expect to either. I am just grateful that it helped keep me on track. My final weigh-in was 140, which was good then but now I am down another 4 lbs. and still losing. I am almost there! Anyway, here are my before and after pictures...

Weight Loss is even more of a challenge when...

everyone in your house is sick. I realize it has been awhile since I have posted but I have a very good reason for that too. Everyone has been sick at our house for what seems like a month now. 4 out of 5 of us have seen the doctor and are on antibiotics of one kind or another. I feel like some days I am losing my mind and other days I just want to sleep all day. All the kids have been home from school for a few days even, driving me crazy. Then there are the ones who hate taking their medicine and that is always fun too! *sarcasm* I really cannot wait for everyone to be healthy again, including me. I haven't been walking or working out in any way for awhile now but I still seem to be losing weight. Chuck and I did attend our weight loss meeting this morning. He weighed in at 199 and I weighed in at 139 so we are still both losing weight, especially him. So things are still going well with that considering that both of us are on antibiotics for now.

We only have two more weeks left of the weight loss challenge so I will try to keep you all updated on our progress and whether or not we win anything. It's possible that Chuck will win something this time as he has lost a lot of weight with this challenge. If you want to know how things turn out, check back in a week or two.

Week 5 Weigh-In

Well, I didn't do as well as I had wanted to but I knew I wouldn't either. I didn't have the willpower I should have with my diet the past two weeks. Anyway, I weighed in at 146.2, putting me at a total weight loss of 5 lbs in 5 weeks time. Chuck weighed in at 209 today and he has lost 15 lbs. altogether so he is doing really well in 5 weeks time, losing about 3 lbs a week to my 1 lb a week. I have been walking and using the mini tramp, the elliptical and a bike too but apparently my diet was too much to bring it down for me. Better luck to me next week I guess. And hey, I didn't gain weight or maintain; I still lost so that is a good thing.

Guess what I did!?

I decided it was time to use my elliptical again. I bought an elliptical awhile back and haven't used it much since I got it. I only used it a few times in the beginning. I was really out of shape at that point. Well, I decided that maybe I am in better shape now so I am going to try it. Well, the only reason I did this was because Chuck had the car and I couldn't go to the college to walk or workout so I knew I had to do some kind of workout at home. Its still just to darn cold to walk or do anything outside yet. So I got it out and did 5 minutes and 1 minute cool down. I thought about going longer as I felt great but decided I better quit knowing that you are supposed to work your way into these things and not overdo them. I am glad I didn't go longer than I did. Two days later, my legs are still extremely sore. This all happened on Monday. I haven't wanted to get back on it just yet but I am going to do some walking today. I hope I am up to the challenge again soon though. Apparently it is a great workout and just what I need.

Sorry for not posting lately...

I know I haven't kept up with posting here lately. I just haven't felt like it with our financial situation and Chuck recovering from his hospital stay. Chuck's health is greatly improved and we are ever so grateful for all the prayers sent our way.

As far as weight loss goes, Chuck has lost approximately 12 lbs and I have lost around 5 lbs. We have started using the machines in the weight room at the college before we walk so that has helped some with the plateau I had hit with weight loss. I am happy that I am still losing but wish it were more. There was no weight loss meeting this week. At my last weigh-in I weighed 148.6 which is a week ago now already. I will post more after the next meeting with a more accurate weight loss for both of us. At any rate, we are both doing well with our weight loss.

Now, if only the job search for Chuck were going as well. He has had a couple one time jobs that paid well but its nothing permanent with benefits. I also put in for a part time job but after the interview they called to tell me they chose someone with better qualifications. I have a feeling it has to do with the fact that my husband isn't permanently working right now and they are afraid I will quit after a short time there due to relocation and they did ask that at the interview. So, it may not be easy for me to get work until he has a job first. Hard to say but I tried to help our situation and will continue to do so.

Life just keeps challenging us but so far its nothing we haven't been able to handle but it sure adds the stress for both of us. We are grateful the kids qualified for free lunches at school. That has really helped a lot to keep us going.

Please keep us in your prayers and hopefully something will change soon for us!

Weight Loss Challenge #2

As of January 17th, I joined another weight loss challenge. Both Chuck and Nila joined me in this challenge. Chuck missed the second meeting due to his health however. He is currently in the hospital with a blood clot in his right lung and slowly improving but sure gave us all a scare. My initial weigh in was 151 and at the end of week 1, I weighed in at 150.8. I had hoped for a little more lost but its still a loss, so I will not complain too much. Chuck had lost about 6 lbs. in the first week so I am proud of him, considering his heart/lung problems. There are more people signed up for the challenge this time but that is more reason to work harder, in my opinion anyway. I was walking last week, 3 days, but then Sydney came down with a nasty cold and Chuck needed me to be there for him too. Hopefully, this week will be better but with Chuck in the hospital, its hard to say. I will take it one day at a time and keep trying.