Manic Monday's Measurements {July | Week 5}

Seeing as how I gave everyone a week off, it's time to put the fun time sticks away and get BACK TO WORK!!!!!!!

That's right, here's me screaming at you to get your mind in the right place, make good decisions and keep your goals foremost in your head. Write them down, put them somewhere you can see them, whatever you have to do, DO IT!!!

I'm not in a good place weight wise right now, but I can admit it, and come up with a game plan to get my big ass back where it needs to be. I want to lose at least 20 more pounds before I leave for Philly to visit the fabulously pregnant Miss Meg, so I have to put my game face on, get serious, and stop DICKING AROUND. No more working around going to the gym, no more slacking, and I need to make sure that I'm making time for myself every single day. A healthy mind, is just as important as a healthy body, agreed??

So without further ado, here are the images I have so far ...



I am still at 255, and I'm not even going to bother boring you with measurements because it's pretty pointless LOL



Sonja is rocking the house with a two pound weight loss!!! GOOD JOB GIRL!!!!!!!!



Meg is doing such a phenomenal job at her weight, even though she's 19 weeks pregnant, but I'll let her tell you how awesome she is! :)

Manic Monday's Measurements {July | Week 3}

Alrighty girls, July is almost coming to a close, only two more weeks of it for us to make some real head way. Who is feeling trampled on? Who is inspired? Who is ready to, or already has, given up? Who wants to start August off with a BANG!!!!????

{raises hand vigorously}

Here's me this week, sans measurements. I am just going to post an image and see how I feel after that. I'm still at the same weight, but am noticing I've lost in more places .... so here goes ....



Here is Lady Meg at 17 weeks {259lbs} and only 3lbs gained - GOOD JOB GIRL!!



I'm giving Jen an easy out this week by using her image from last week that I somehow misplaced .... then found .... it's mysterious, but anyways, here's the uber hottie herself ;)



Alexis looking fabulous, even though she may not think it ;)



I'm posting this the way I got it, just because it was funny LOL Thanks Sonja! :)

Manic Monday's Measurements {July | Week 2}

So I was hoping against hope that last week would get me more than just one, single, solitary image. Alas ... no hope. This week I've got two, and then my own, so I figure that's better than nothing :)

As of today I'm 252lbs ... :)

Arm: 14.5 (↓.5)

Bust: 42

Waist: 44

Neck: 17.5 (↓.5)




Emily ...



Meg ... at 16 weeks preggers= 258lbs -- LOOKING GOOD MEGSY GIRL!!! :)



Alexis and her hot self ;)

Manic Wednesdays Measurements {June | Week 4}

This week I met my match in having my lap band filled. I had a fill last Thursday, and it was a doozy, what they'd consider two whole fills just to help me out. Problem with that was IT WAS TWO WHOLE FILLS. Sooooo by yesterday I couldn't even get simple foods down, and had to go in and have them remove an entire half of what they put in. On the not-so-great-but-still-a-plus-side I lost almost 4lbs in the few days I was over filled :)

I think it's important to stress staying hydrated right now. Whenever you're working out, especially in this vicious heat we're all experiencing, you can still work out but make sure above all else to STAY HYDRATED!! One way or another, I won't even be picky or harp about what to drink ... just make sure it's something that will keep you hydrated and upright :)

So I'm now officially at 253 .... YAY!! (right? LOL)

Arm: 15

Bust: 42

Waist: 44

Neck: 18

Improvements all around, and to be honest it's because I'm sticking so stringently to making sure everything I'm eating is either a whole food, or isn't filled with nasty preservatives. I'm drinking a lot of water too, and that's been making a huge difference with my skin and just over all complexion. Something I want to share that Charlie and I have adopted is we bought these plastic carry bottles, and invested in Brita pitchers, two of them. We use the pitchers to keep the bottles filled and use Crystal light. This way we aren't filling land fills with water bottles, and we've saved A TON OF MONEY. Just a tip :)



Meg at 14 weeks preggers, holding steady at 257 ~ GOOD JOB GIRL!!!



Adrian at 8 weeks preggers :)



Sonja is on vacation so we'll not have an image from her, and I'm just waiting on the rest :)

Chef Dave ~ Easy Crock Pot Glazed Chicken Wings

What you'll need:

1 - 3lbs chicken wings/drummettes

1/2 cup sugar free imitation Honey (Wannabee Honey) ~ I used organic honey instead

1/2 cup of Splenda granulated sugar in the box

1/2 cup of soy sauce

2 tbs Extra light 100% Extra virgin olive oil

2 minced garlic cloves - OR - already minced in olive oil

2 tbs Heinz One Carb Ketchup - OR - any other low calorie ketchup

What you'll do:

Season the chicken with your choice of seasonings ( I used Natures Seasoning ), and if you want to save time brown them in a skillet first. Afterwards place them in the crock pot.

In a bowl, combine your ingredients, making sure to pay special attention that both honey AND ketchup have mixed properly.

Drizzle your glaze over the chicken, stir to coat if you wish. Cover the slow cooker, set it on low, and let it cook for 6-8 hours if NOT browned first, and about 4.5 to 5 if you DO brown them.

Each will yield 140 calories; 10g fat; 10gm protein; 2 gm carb, trace of fiber; 2g usable carbs.

I haven't decided what I'm going to make to sit next to these, or if I even will make anything. More than likely it'll be some steamed veggie or organic whole wheat spaghetti.

JUST ENJOY IT!!!! :)

Chef Dave ~ Crock Pot Mexican Chicken

This is one of the new recipes I got from my dietician yesterday, and I am sharing :)

What you'll need:

3 - 4 Chicken breasts ( I used frozen )

1 can of sliced & diced tomatoes (Hunts, Rotel)

1 can black beans ( or black soybeans), drained some

4-8 ounces 1/3 fat Philly cream cheese

1/2 pack mild taco seasoning - OR - fresh cumin & other household seasoning

What you'll do:

Place chicken, seasoning, and tomatoes in crock pot and cook. Approximately 6 hours on high, if frozen, only 3-4, if fresh. If you're going low, it's 8-10 hours.

Shred Chicken about halfway though cooking time. If cooking from frozen, towards the end leave a small gap with the lid to let liquid reduce.

In the last hour of cooking, add beans (unless using soybeans, then add at beginning). When tender, turn off heat and stir in cream cheese.

When alls said and done you can put this into a low carb wrap, lettuce wrap, or just eat it in a bowl topped with some cheese (I prefer the 100 calories packs from Kraft.)

For more recipes visit Chef Dave: http://chefdave.org

I'll let you all know how it was!!!! :)

Manic Monday's Measurements {June | Week 3}

I can admit when I'm down and defeated. Wait ... didn't I just do that? Well, you understand what I'm saying. I haven't lost a single POUND in over two months, and although I realize I'm also NOT gaining, and I'm slowly losing inches ... that does not change the fact that I'm stuck. Plateaued. Whatever you want to call it. It didn't help that I was in serious pain for the past two weeks with my TMJ issue. I couldn't work-out at all, because it just hurt sooooo bad. Couple that with the idea that I'm due for my next fill, and I'm MOST definitely going to be having some one on one time with my nurse, and dietician, on Thursday.

I did, however, find this raunch picture of my from September of 2009, and when I saw this I practically died because I just can't believe how much weight my face has carried over the years, and how completely anxious I am to BE RID OF IT!! Check it ...



Can you believe that??? GROSS! This is the one I took yesterday to capture my hair disaster (which is worse the 2nd day, BTW) ... I'm using a wide angle lens, which adds weight to your face when your this close, and I'm leaning inwards. The difference is just ... WHOA (in my best Keanu Reeves voice LOL)



I realize a difference, but I went through surgery to realize MORE of a difference, know what I mean? So I need to get my mental state back in the right place, get my goals and discipline in order, and put the metal back to the pedal. In other words, I need to get my shit together, and try to figure out just exactly what I need to do to lose the rest of this weight, already.

I want to hear about YOU Has been girls!! What's going on? What are your measurements? What's more difficult for you, than other things? What's easier? Are you happy with the changes you're making?? SPILL!!

Images to follow!! :)

Sonja ...



Jennifer ...

Manic Monday's Measurements {June | Week 2}

Good Sunday everyone :)

I hope this finds everyone well rested after a wonderful weekend. I was very busy this weekend, what with a family session yesterday, and dealing with uber pain today ... I'm totally busy LOL I have, what I think is, an impacted wisdom tooth. It's causing me serious pain in the right side of my neck, and it vibrates up through my ear and in my mouth. I have a dentist appt tomorrow in the hopes it will take care of it, and I'm on a pretty strict schedule of Tylenol. Soooo since I've been battling with that, and numerous meetings this week ... I can admit I have not been to the gym. The motion and movement just causes me so much pain right now, and I'm not a masochist, so until I can get this troublesome tooth issue worked out, I'm refraining for now.

One upside to having teeth pain is the reluctance to eat LOL So I haven't gained any weight, I actually dropped two pounds :)



This is a shirt I've had for like 3 years that NEVER even left the hanger. I was too big, and the style was just not having it LOL So I put it on yesterday and it was TOO big. So I had to have Charlie rig it with the plastic straps to my bra so I didn't flash anything indecent ;) Still too big, but very cute :)

Has Been girls and their fabulousness to follow!!

Jennifer looking uber hottie in her new shirt, I LOVE IT!! You are looking fab girl!!



Emily in her awesome bathroom ... sorry, but I totally ♥ your bathroom Em! LOL



Amanda ...



Alexis ...



Christina ...

Manic Monday's Measurements {June | Week 1}

So this week we are starting something new, and we're measuring our inches. I will go ahead and get mine on here:

Neck: 19

Bust: 45

Upper Arm: 15.5

Waist: 45

So there it is! The start of our new adventure :) I hope that everyone can get me their images and measurements without any problems. If you don't have a measure, you can always add them next week, or if you are only going to do the measuring once a month, just let me know that as well :)

My personal goal this month is to try and get enough water/fluids, work down on snacks, and try to remember to take/drink my multivitamins!! What are your goals this month??

Also I am introducing Jessie Ballou, a good friend/neighbor of mine who is a physical trainer. I have asked her to monitor the blog, and offer you ladies suggestions, tips, and advice according to what you are struggling with, or have questions about. So please, lets give her a warm welcome, and make sure to ask her about your issues!!

Here is my image, complete with a happy Cordi LOL ;)



Jennifer ...



Emily ...



Sonja ...



Sherry ...



Mistie ...

Manic Monday's Measurements {May | Week 4}

This week I am unhappy, unpleased, and utterly frustrated by my lack of weight loss. I haven't dropped ANY weight in almost 4 damn weeks, and needless to say ... Tina is not happy. I am so stuck at 257/258, and can't budge at all. I have seen my Endocrinologist and my thyroid levels are perfect. I have 3 more fills for my lapband, but I should be able to lose weight still. So, because I can only do so much, I'm going to put myself and my eating/workout habits out there for everyone to critique and tell me what I'm doing wrong.

My Workout Regime {Every other day}

10 - 12 mins of cardio on an elliptical machine that's programmed to cardio workout.

25 - 30 mins of weight training with the lightest weight setting / 2 sets of 15 reps each

15 - 20 mins of cardio on the treadmill

OR

1 hour of laps in the swimming pool

-----------------------------------------

Breakfast

2 eggs & 1 slice of cheese on an Arnolds Select mini sandwich bread {whole grain & eggs are cooked in Smart Balance extra virgin olive oil buttery spread}

Lunch

Starkist Lite Tuna & Kraft Mayo {Made with Canola Oil} on small sliced homemade French bread

Dinner

Pork, Chicken or Beef cooked either in the crock pot or on the Foreman Grille & broccoli, asparagus, or sweet corn with squirts of I can't believe it's not butter spray, for taste.

Snack

Haagen Das single serving Raspberry Sorbet or baked Cheetos

----------------------------------------

Of course this can vary on any given day, but for the most part I've been trying to stick to well cooked, steamed, whole foods and meats. We've even been making our own bread so it lacks enriched flour and sugar. I want to know what you see wrong when you look at this. Where am I going wrong? What am I thinking is an okay thing to eat, and really it's not? Share your food knowledge with me!

Here is my image for this week ... as you can tell I'm not pleased with it, but I was able to fit into an old pair of jeans yesterday ... so I thought I'd have Charlie take my image to show you all that:

Has Been Girls images to follow!!!

Mistie ...



Looking good girl!!! I can totally see a difference, and I love your smile ;)

Emily ...



I know you said there's been no weight change, but that doesn't mean we can't tell, because I sure can!!

Amanda ...



I see that smile, and it makes me happy!!

Alexis ...



Looking good, Alexis!!! :)

Christina ...



This should be how you do all your images from now on, I bet we could really tell a difference!!

Sherry ...



Jennifer ...



And Introducing our newest Has Been Girl ... SONJA! :)

Manic Monday's Measurements {May | Week 3}

I'm making this post late, on a Sunday night, because I'm going to be very busy in the morning getting Allie ready for school and myself ready to head to Lexington for a newborn session ... YIPPEE! :)

I'm noticing this week that my Has Been girls are really making a difference in their appearances, and I love it!!!

Jen ...



You are looking so fit! I can tell all over on you that you're losing inches, and although you aren't smiling in your picture ... I see your happiness ;) Great, wonderful, fantastic job!!!

Em ...



From this picture I can definitely see weight loss. You look really happy in this shot, too, so I think that's why I love this :)

Sherry ...



Mistie ...



Alexis ...



Today I'm introducing a new Has Been Girl ... Meet Amanda :)



Today 5/20/2010 ... I'm introducing another new Has Been girl ... Meet Christina :)



and here is me, in a shirt I wore back in December and it was so tight I could barely get it to cover my enormous belly ...



Let's revisit this shirt from before, shall we??



Say it with me .... BARFFFFFFFFFFF!!

LOL

I can definitely see improvement, and the shirt is almost to the point of being just too big, but I liked wearing it because it's very feminine. Love the color too ;)

I will make sure to post the rest of the girls as I get them! :)

"Just Another Manic Monday ... ♫ ♪" {May | Week 2}

Happy Mother's Day to Everyone!

☼

Happy Birthday to this girl on the 11th!

I seriously hope the cold weather hasn't stopped anyone from getting out and shedding those unsightly pounds! Today, as you know, is Mother's Day and it's a perfect day to indulge and relax: I give you permission to eat what you like, and not move a muscle without any fear of guilt. As of Monday though, it'll be time to get back on the horse and get it done this week! So enjoy today ;)

As I stated above my 31st birthday is Tuesday {YIPPEE!}, and yes I'm okay with being 31 LOL I have my 2nd Lap Band adjustment on Thursday, and then Friday the girls are going to a magic show and Charlie and I are going to see "Robin Hood" ... MMMMMM Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott .... Oooooo Ahhhhh :)

At the present moment I am at a comfortable 256lbs, and that's even with me starting a bit of weight training, and also starting swimming. So I consider that a HUGE win/win :) To know I'm lifting some weights and doing the toning and stuff hardcore with swimming and I'm STILL down almost 2lbs ... I am perfectly okay with that :)

Here is my image for this week ...


My big thing this week has been to really buckle down and make sure I'm getting my heartrate up for at least 30 FULL minutes, if not the entire hour I've been going to the YMCA. I can tell I've made a difference when I really apply myself, so I thought I'd share that :)

I will post the Has Been girls as I get their images, so stay tuned!! :)

Mistie ...



Sherry Sherry ...



Jen ...



Emily ...