Weight Loss Journey: Week 4 Update and Tips

As of yesterday, I have completed 4 weeks of eating right and exercising!
(I was around 2 weeks into it when I wrote my last post.)

My progress:
I have lost 8 pounds!
Even though I had already lost 5 of those pounds and then gained them back around the holidays, it's nice to be going the right direction now!
I am now 15 pounds away from my goal and pre-pregnancy weight! It is coming off SLOW but steady.

You may not see a difference in my picture here (I can't tell too much), but this is me at the end of week 4!

I am continuing to do Kickboxing and Zumba 2-3 days a week.

I have also been sticking with my "Couch to 5K" program. It is getting really hard now! I'm still hoping I can run the 5K in March without stopping...that's my goal. I have been doing C25K about 4-5 days a week. It's been enjoyable and makes me feel better...I can't believe I'm saying that! :)

Although, I think I need some new running shoes! (Hint, hint Dan!!!!)

As far as working out and doing plyometeric exercises, Jacinda and I have decided it is too much to squeeze in. We lift weights in our hour-long Kickboxing and Zumba classes and by the time we run we've already been at the gym for 2 hours. Sometimes it's okay to not put too many things on your plate at once. I can tell that I'm toning up so I'm not worried about cutting this out right now.

I had a lot of people respond to my first weight loss journey post and most of them showed an interest in losing weight themselves. If you are one of those people or are just wanting to shed some extra weight, here are some tips that are really helping me and may help you also.

1) When I exercise, I do things I enjoy doing and want to do! My favorites are Zumba and Kickboxing! Someone else might like doing workout videos at home, swimming, playing an X-Box Kinnect or Wii, or doing spinning classes. Don't try to make yourself do something you don't like because you won't stick with it that way. It's your exercise plan so customize it to what you want to do!

2) Be consistent! Be active and exercise on a regular basis! 5 days a week is ideal.
It really does make you feel better!

3)This may sound silly but one of the biggest things that has assisted with my weight loss is keeping a food journal. Your diet plays a HUGE roll in weight loss!

 I downloaded a free app to my smart phone that holds me accountable. The app I use is called "Lose It" but there are many apps like it that I'm sure work just as well. It keeps track of how many calories I eat a day so I stay in the range I've set for myself. It also subtracts the calories I burn when I exercise. This app has been a big part in helping to eat right and stay on track! I also don't limit what foods I eat...that is too much like a diet. It clearly shows me that I can have MORE of the good healthy food instead of a little bit of bad food. It makes it so much easier to pick the healthy option that way because I know that I'll stay fuller longer! :)

4) I try not to eat after dinner...or 8pm at least. Keep in mind I stay up late every night so this is a decent time frame for me to not eat. Most of the time I do okay but sometimes I start craving stuff...like when Dan and Trinity get the ice cream out. However, I just remind myself that I need to be consistent and eat right and I'm happy to report that I haven't had any ice cream in 4 weeks! :) If I do decide I HAVE to have something (and still have some extra calories left for the day), I try to at least make a smart choice...like eat a banana, apple, or low sugar oatmeal.

Anyway, I am happy with my progress and I look forward to how much more weight I'm going to lose. It's very encouraging to see my hard work pay off on the scale!

How has your journey been going? I'd love to hear your progress or about the new journey you've decided to start now. Trust me, once you start eating right and exercising regularly, the weight will come off!