Yeah!! For Accountability!!!... Fit Friday

I have just joined a fun group of ladies over at It's Almost Naptime!! It's a bunch of women who want to get "Hot for the Holidays!" Sounds fun, eh??...

Well, as some of you are aware from my previous posts (or lack there of), I have gotten myself into quite a lull with my workouts these days! Let me tell my story for any new readers....

Last September, on a very hot day, I had child #3. He was beautiful and perfect, and as all my children have, left me with plenty of jiggles and fitting into a size pants I do NOT want to mention! We were in the process of moving across the state of Missouri, so I wasn't too concerned with getting fit yet. However, especially in knowing this would be the last time I got pregnant, I was excited and determined to get the weight off and get healthy again! (I had done pretty well after my first, but horrible after my second! So, with the third I started out much heavier!) Anyway, once we finally got moved and things settled down a bit, I began working out at home which was going pretty well. Then we were able to attain a Y membership where I started frequenting as much as I could. I very slowly began to tell a difference in my clothes and dropped a pant size, which was a great encouragement! But after about 5 months of the same thing and the weight not coming off like I wanted, I knew I needed to step it up a notch (or two, or maybe 10!!!) So, I was able to start a workout routine with my sweet sister-in-law this past summer.

We started working out together at the end of May/early June. I had not incorporated strength training into my workouts, though I had wanted to. (It was overwhelming for me!) So, my sis-in-law, being the workout queen that she is, had us doing all kinds of wonderful workouts! She kicked my butt, to be honest! And I loved it!!! Over the summer my body changed SO much! The weight wasn't coming off like I wanted, but I knew most of that was due to the fact that I was gaining so much muscle and toning my body. Then, all of the sudden, in mid August I realized I had lost 13 lbs.!!! Since then, I've only lost one more pound. So, my total is 14 lbs. so far. And this month--October--has been incredibly difficult for me!!! We've had a crazy busy schedule, and I have had little energy to workout. I have been trying to watch my diet--I really don't like that word because it's really a lifestyle for me! The one positive thing in all of this is that I haven't gained anything! I have maintained even though the last three weeks have been very slow as far as workouts go!... (And last week I didn't workout ONCE!)

What I have loved the most through all of this has been pushing my body and seeing it grow, strengthen and do things I never knew were possible!! I know that my time is limited at this moment in my life, but I can still push myself in the little time I do have. That's my problem right now. I'm lacking the motivation and energy to push myself! It was amazing having a workout partner all summer--I could never have done it without her! (I picked her up every morning around 5am!!! That is stinkin' EARLY!!) I'm hoping joining this group will generate some more accountability and motivation for me!! Thanks everyone!!! Here are a few pics to see where I've been and where I'm at now....

7 months ago.....

5 months ago.....

4 months ago....

3 months ago....

2 months ago....

About 1 month ago......

I, personally, want to lose 20 more lbs. It seems like a lot, but I lost close to that in the last 4 months! So, I know I can do it! I feel like 10-15 lbs. by the end of this year is a good goal! Then I'll have just 5 more lbs. or so after the first of the year... This journey has been fun so far! I'm looking forward to connecting with even more people who are on the same journey!! Let's get "Hot for the Holidays!!!"