End of Week 5

Just got back from the gym. 2 days cardio this week, 2 days weights. I missed Monday due to migraine coming off caffiene, but now I am caffiene free.

Feeling pretty good about my progress. I still have a lot of doubt about how much it's really going to change my appearance.

Amy - End of Week 4

Good week. I am getting stronger and stronger on the weights. I asked my trainer today if I could do cardio at the home on weight days (1 mile on the treadmill). He told me to go for it, but not to do more than that. I think I need more cardio to burn the fat off. I still have a lot on my arms and other areas are still too pudgy. I hope that my upping the cardio it will help.

Amy - End of Week 3

Here's a big woohoooo for the end of Week 3. This week was MWF cardio, T/Th weights. I started getting the kids' cold on Tuesday. On Friday, I overslept and woke up at 4:30 totally stuffed up. Since it was too late to go and I felt awful, I skipped it, but I went in today. I went to the 2nd location since there was where my trainer was at today. There are only two classes at each location on a Saturday (7:00 and 8:00); I went to the 7:00. I liked the gym, it seemed "cleaner." I started with a run outside. This time I did 1.5 miles. The trainer complimented my running ability which made me feel good. I know 1.5 miles is still "small potatoes" but for someone who could barely run a mile their whole life, I am feeling pretty good.


After the run, we did some arm weight cardio stuff, then abs. I still can't do a sit up without someone holding my knees, but I know I will get there. I am going to have Eric help me at home.

I am still up 3-4 lbs on the scale, but it's holding there, so I will take it. Today is my cheat meal. I will probably still run tomorrow even though it's my rest day.

Amy - 2.5 Weeks in - Progress Pics

Shot some pics after my arm workout this am.

I can definitely see a diffference in the stomach. My shirt is not as tight and my abs look smaller and feel tighter.

Amy Week 3 - Day 1

I did great today! We ran a mile on a new "course" and I ran the entire time without stopping and it actually felt pretty good. It was only 32 out too, but we warmed up quickly.

After our warm-up, we worked on bikes for about 20 min.

Then came abs. I am still pathetic on abs, but I get stronger each time.

I can definitely see a difference in my clothing - I have less "muffin top" in my jeans and the pair of jeans I bought only about a month ago in a size 4 are already loser. They actually fit now like they probably should have when I bought them.

At this rate, I might not have any muffin top left by Christmas!

On a side note - had my weekly cheat meal (we HAVE to have it) on Saturday. Pasta for dinner and cheesecake for dessert. Oh and a glass of wine!!!!! I haven't had a glass of wine since March. It was heavenly and there was no guilt. Of course I jumped right back on plan Sunday; I have never had a problem doing that. It's just nice that that the cheat meal is required, not something you do and then feel like crap about later.

Amy - End of Week 2

Well, I survived the week! I did 2x lower body, 1x upper and 2 cardio days. Yesterday's cardio was insane - 50 minutes of abs alternating with laps outside with your partner.

My weight is up about 3-4 lbs from when I started but I know it's muscle/water. The good news is they measured my body fat today. I was expecting high 20's and it came out as............. 14%. Holy crap - that would have been my goal!

The downside of that is now I wonder if I will look much different at the end of 20 weeks. I did ask him about loose skin. He said this program would help tighten it up some. Some is all I am asking for. I don't want to have plastic surgery b/c of the risks involved AND the cost. But, I want my arms, stomach and thighs to firm up and now I wonder if the "jiggle" is just skin since it's not fat.

Well, only time will tell. At least at the end of the program I will be healthy and strong. I know I have to look better, even if it's not as good as I hoped.

Mandy~Night 3 of Plateau Breaker

Well a disappointing run at my latest plateau breaker. I ended up gaining 8 pounds by night 2, but thankfully am back down as of today to my original 202.6 that I started at.

I am hoping that by just eating "clean" (lean protein and veggies) for another week after this 3 day stint I will drop below 200. ( My mini goal before I leave for Vegas next Wed.)

Well, I had been warned that this could happen, so I am not to surprised I gained within the plateau breaker.

Just want to be at my goal by June.

Here I am.. Challendged Chick #2~ Mandy

Me today 50 lbs lighter

Well, my story is simple. I am a very busy mother of 2 little girls, run my own online boutique, am on the board of or PTA, and Troop leader to 19 girl scout daisies. I have never been one to put myself before others ever, and "NO" is generally not in my vocabulary if some one asks something of me. (Except my kids, that's different.lol.)

I started the original plan, slim4life, on 8-9-10 as a 250lbs 5'10" woman.

As of today I have lost 48 pounds, and I still have about another 50 to go to hit my personal goal.

Today I started my plateau breaker of beef and green veggies. Got all my water in I needed to today.

Will weigh back in on Wed or Thursday to post my results. I am hoping to see 5 pounds gone by day 3. Last time I did this it was 12 pounds in 3 days, but that was the first 3 days of my weight loss adventure. I am not expecting those numbers again.

Amy - Day 5

Today was different. We had a new trainer (he alternates weeks with the other trainer). He was busy with the new members we had today, so we were left pretty much alone. I didn't have that feeling someone was riding me which was good and bad. We did lower body - man I wish my upper body was as strong as my lower.

Tomorrow is cardio. It will be interesting to see how this trainer runs it.

Amy - Day 4

Good day today - I ran my mile with no break in between. Decent time.

Then we did bikes inside. We had to do this push up thing from one end of the room to the other. I could not do it really at all, but I did my best and nobody yelled at me - just cheered me on.

Week 1 Done!

Amy - Day 3

Well, today was actually pretty good - there was only one exercise I could barely complete! We did have to all run 1/2 mile for some motivation, but I know deep down it's good for me. I didn't called Slim 4 Life today either. :) My trainer gave me good advice on some protein shakes.

I bought a size 4 pair of pants from Express last night (Express stuff is cut small) and they fit!

Very motivating.

Amy - Day 2

Today was my first cardio day. We started off by all doing 50 push-ups each b.c another member had eaten 1/2 of a baked potato for dinner. My arms were so sore from yesterday, but I managed to whip out 50 poorly executed girly ones.

Then we went outside to run in the 37 degree weather 3/4 of a mile. After that we had cone sprints then the other 1/4 mile.

I was very proud of myself because I did all the running - I haven't run a real mile outside in years, so this was a big motivator for me.

The poor part of my workout was done inside - ab work. I could only do about 15 sit-ups and then had to cheat by using my legs to help me get up for the rest. For the leg raises, I could only do about 3 or 4 b/c my legs were shot from running. It was a pathetic sight I'm sure, but I did my best attempting to do more with my legs shaking all over the place. My partner was very supportive though and helped keep my spirits up. I did fine with crunches because they aren't as hard.

Then headed home fell back asleep and barely made it to work on time!