Thursday, May 7, 2009

Gettin´ Fine in ´09 Finale


I promised myself I wouldn´t post my weight on my blog. It´s just a personal thing. Nothing against those that do. Especially Sarah´s blog. I just love her fitness blog! She is so open and really encouraging in all areas of fitness. She started this twelve week challenge back in Febuary. I didn´t hop in on it till March, but she still said I could join in! Even though my workouts look like a toddler´s walk in the park compared to her 1,000 calorie burning full-body workouts, she always encouraged me that I was doing great and it pushed me to do better.

As we are wrapping it up and are on the 12th Week Finale, we are to post on our progress. I have to admit that I had hoped to have lost more these last couple of weeks but my body had other plans. The first few weeks the weight came off a lot easier. This is normal though, in the beginning stages.

As I have stated in other posts, I have cut out all white sugar and high refrined junk foods. I have cut out the majority of fried foods and breads. But I added in some fun stuff like sugar free chocolate, raisins and almonds. Also, I have found that I just love light Philadelphia cream cheese on rice cakes with Coffee. I use to think that rice cakes tasted like cardboard, so this is a big step.

I started out only doing a few miles on my stationary bike in the evenings with weights and eventually have ended up doing 10 kilometers/5 miles/30 minute workouts on the bike. Also, what I found was that when I started my workouts with a 20-30 min high impact walk I lost more weight. I would do a walking video and then bike. These were the weeks I lost the most.

I am by far at my goal. In fact I am only half way there. I started my Fitness Journey on January 15. This was the day I remember praying and asking God to help me get back in shape and back to my pre-baby body. Then I found Melissa´s Blog. She had a real simple plan that I could deal with. Then I found other missionary ladies who were dedicated to losing this year too. Nina, has been losing right along with me and we have been keeping each other accountable. Sometimes, we have even had free days together without even knowing it!

Well, it´s time for the big reveal. (I did plan on waiting till the full transformation has occured, but today is a sneak peak.)


January 2009 - Before my Fitness Journey



May 7, 2009 after shedding 18 pounds!


So in actuality, during the Gettin´Fine in ´09 challenge,

I lost 11 pounds. From February 12 - May 8th.

The idea of this is to encourage others and ourselves to keep striving for our best for the One Who deserves our best. God has given us only one body. What matters in this area is our health and that we are doing our best for Him. (of course, the one who has noticed most is my dear hubby. He deserves my best too!)
So who will join in with me as I lose the last half of myself? We can all use the accountability. If you would like, you can write me an e-mail each week to help keep you motivated. It would help me too.

Don´t forget to go over to God´s Speaks Today for her Fitness Friday tips.



12 comments:

  1. You are beautiful inside and out!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OH my gosh.....I can totally see the difference!!!!!!

    You look so good!! Great job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Way to go girl! You look great, and I'm sure that you feel so much better.
    I am also going to keep at it. I definitely need the encouragement. My walking partner moved last week:( So, I am anxiously awaiting a friend from the states to arrive at the end of the month. She will be living with us and helping in the church for the summer-she will be my new partner:)
    My eating has been bad with my parents in town. They come and buy stuff that we don't normally have around. Gotta work harder. This seems my story lately:(

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looking good girl!! :) There are lots of differences between one photo and the other. You are doing a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You go girl! A great encouragement to me. I have also been dieting.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That 11 pounds made a HUGE difference on you! 11 pounds would do that on me too. You are amazing. I think you did GREAT and you should be very proud of yourself.

    And great job with the changes in your diet. And I don't know if these are available where you are, but "Mother's" brand rice cakes are all natural (I think it's a division of Quaker??) and the caramel flavored ones are great. I like to spread some peanut butter on them and then top with either fresh strawberries or grapes. It is such a yummy healthy snack that tastes like a treat.

    I'm going to link to your post right now. :)

    Love you!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  7. wow~! i can see the difference! so how do you do it?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow--you look great! I admire you for your diligence!
    And thanks for your sweet comment on my new design--I did have an idea of what I wanted and she let me pick out most of the elements of the design, but it took me forever!

    By the way, I love your name, Dani Joy ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am SO proud of you!!! You look beautiful! I can see a HUGE difference. See, I LOVE pictures, I'm a visual person! Thank you so much for participating. You were by far the most active and I GREATLY appreciate that!

    You have come so far. I know it's tough when the your weight starts to plateau, but keep pushing yourself past your comfort zone. Trust me, your body will follow and burn fat and calories in the process!

    I have to ask... Is that a St. Louis Rams shirt you have on in the first picture? I was just curious because I live in St. Louis.

    Anyway, I can totally see your results and I'm jumping up for joy for you. I can especially see it in your face (people told me this all the time) but I can totally see it. I am SO EXCITED FOR YOU - YAY DANI!!!

    I'll let you know when I'll post the results. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You Look Great!!!

    It is a brand new you with Heidi's hair dare thrown in!!

    Good Good Job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Look at you!!!!

    WoooHoooo!!

    Way to go!!

    That is so awesome that you have before and after pics!

    I need to go looking and see if I can find some before pics so I can do the same thing.

    That really works!!

    So long 18 pounds...don't let the door hit you in the rear on the way out!!!

    ReplyDelete

Love to hear encouraging comments that uplift Christ and boost our daily walk with Him! Thanks for taking the time to comment! I read everyone of them and try to always respond at your blog, too.