August Weight-loss Challenge {Giveaway!}

The August Weight-loss Challenge Giveaway features an Ozeri Digital Scale AND a Meet Me At The Dinner Table meal planning guide to help get your family on the track to a healthier life!

Read more about the Ozeri Digital Scale here.

Read more about Meet Me At The Dinner Table here.

Come back next month for a new weight-loss giveaway!

Weight-loss challenge {Month 2}

Last month was a tough one for me.  I spent twenty-three days in my hometown near Chicago with my family and friends.  Ever been to Chicago?  In my opinion, the city is know for it's delicious food.  I was not going to miss my yearly opportunity to indulge!

My goal for July was to not gain any weight (I lost 5 pounds in June!) and to enjoy my vacation.  Well, I certainly enjoyed my vacation!  One out of two isn't so bad, right?


The food temptations and vacation vibe (aka lots of drinking, to help me relax of course) got the best of me.  I have gained 1.5 pounds since my July weigh-in.  That leaves me 3.5 pounds from my goal weight.  I'm so close I can taste it!

I'm cutting myself some slack for last month's gain.  Vacations are something everyone looks forward too.  It's a change from the norm, a time to let go, a step away from everyday life.  I'm sure I'm not alone here, right?  Losing weight on vacation is difficult.  I am glad I had fun and tried not to worry too much about my vacation bloat.

I am a brave woman for posting this picture of me in my bathing suit!

Luckily this is a new month and I have a chance to try again!

My goal for August:
I can tell by photos that I lost what little definition I had in my arms.  I want it back!

My plan:
My plan is to work out with weights three days a week to get that definition back in addition to running 2-3 days a week.  (You can read about what I do with weights here.) 

Anyone else coming back from vacation with the dreaded vacation bloat?  What's your plan to get back into shape?

I'm losin' it {Weight-loss update}

After committing to finally losing all this "toddler" weight for once and for all, I've been on my best behavior all month. I am excited to announce that I have lost 5 pounds.

Could that be a little muscle tone in my arm or strategic posing? 

My plan worked!

My plan for the first month was to write down everything I ate and continue my current 5 day a week exercise routine.

Each day I kept a running total on how many calories I consumed, aiming for 1200-1500 per day.  (Honestly, some days were easier than others.)  Recording everything I put in my mouth helped me make better food choices throughout the day, cut out my nightly sweet treat, and drink less wine.

Luckily for me, choosing the "right" foods wasn't difficult. This is at least the fourth time I have counted calories to lose weight, which practically makes me a pro!

Aside from the occasional pizza night, I have been making healthy dinners for as long as I can remember. I cook with extra lean ground turkey, make meatless meals, and have a good sense of portion size.  Now that I am not rushed out the door to work in the morning, I have time to sit down and eat a "real" breakfast. Eggs are my top pick! They keep me feeling full until lunch so I'm not tempted to nibble from Leila's snacks.  Also, I do not like having junk food in the house, especially sweets.  I have quite the sweet tooth!  

Here's a few of my favorite healthy snacks:

apple with 1oz cheese or 1T of peanut butter

carrots and hummus

hard boiled egg

sweet baby peppers

greek yogurt

string cheese

popcorn

edamame

My exercise routine consisted of high and low intensity workouts five days a week.  I was already doing these workouts before I started counting calories so it was easy to continue.

To stay motivated I like to change up my workouts often!  I do not belong to a gym, because for me it's an unnecessary expense.

This is what I'm doing these days: 

• I have a couple of the Biggest Loser DVDs and Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred.  I fit those in during nap time on days that I don't run in the morning.  
• I also have an old school Denise Austin Pilates DVD that really works my abs.  It's my go-to workout when I am not motivated to work too hard.  
• Some days I simply I go for a walk or bike ride with Leila.  
• Just recently I started working out with my sister again one evening a week.  We're perfecting a routine we can do outside with Leila.  (I'll share when we get it just right!)

I am very impressed with my results! Although five pounds may not seem like a lot to some people, it is a lot to me. I am only 2 pounds from my goal!

Hahaha! This is my new favorite family photo.  

I know that July will be more challenging than this past month. I'm back home visiting family and friends in Chicago and plan to eat all my favorite foods at least twice. (Giordano's, Rosati's, Portillo's, and Jimmy John's here I come!)

My goal for July:  Don't gain any weight!

My plan:  Enjoy my vacation!  
I will be counting calories when possible and watching my portion sizes.  
I brought home five workout DVDs to do in my parents' basement since it's too hot here to run, even first thing in the morning.


Wish me luck!  


Don't forget to enter this month's Weight-loss Challenge giveaway to win some great pampering products from Basq! 

For once and for all

I chose not to make a resolution this year. Instead I decided to challenge myself one small goal at a time with one ultimate goal in mind:

Lose this baby weight.

I no longer have a baby, but I still have the weight. Leila is a twenty month old toddler and these last seven pounds have been around long enough!

Seven pounds seems like nothing after losing 43 of the 50 pounds I gained during pregnancy. But these seven pounds don't belong on my body.

I'm not ready to accept them. I don't want them anymore.



I have been consistently working out for over a year and my weight hasn't budged.

I can still wear the same summer clothes I bought last summer that were suppose to be "transition" clothes. They were suppose to be too big on me now.

What's my problem?
I eat just about whatever I want. Basically I workout so that I can eat.

What's my plan?
For once and for all, I will lose this toddler weight.

Writing down and accounting for everything I eat is the ONLY way I've been able to lose weight in the past. It works for me, but it takes time and dedication.

I'm worth it!

This first month I plan to eat from 1200-1500 calories a day while I continue my current exercise routine of running, circuit training DVDs, walking, yoga, and Pilates.

That's it. One small goal at a time.

I'd love your support!

Do you want to join the Simmworks Weight-Loss Challenge?  
There's a spot waiting for you! It doesn't matter if you have 7 or 50 pounds to lose. This is about YOU feeling good about your weight for once and for all.   Read all the detail about joining here.



Already feel good about your weight?
Lucky! I admire you and am jealous of you at the same time.  Enter our giveaways anyway, you never know!