Losing It Challenge: To Be Continued in 2011

Since we got the news just over a week ago that our second wee one is on the way, I have to resign from this challenge early since trying to lose weight is not the best idea while you're pregnant and breastfeeding (Y'all--I have been soo hungry. And, drinking water like a camel.). However, I am thankful I was able to participate in the challenge up to this point (though I must confess I didn't make it the whole time without sweets *blush*), because I did lose some weight and I'm hoping I'll carry on in eating healthy and exercising throughout the pregnancy so Baby & I stay healthy for the next just-under-8-months, and so I have less weight to work off next year when I attempt to lose the weight from two pregnancies (since I'm starting this one with some leftovers from my pregnancy with Katie). 

While I was hoping to make it to the end of the challenge, it did occur to me that I may have had to quit early if I got pregnant before it was over (remember? I was hoping for another baby). And, I couldn't be more excited that I do.

Losing It Challenge: Week 4 (for me--it's really week 5)

Well, I wish it weren't so, but this week was another "maintenance" week. Thankfully, exercising is going really well, and I definitely feel better and can tell I'm more in shape even if the number on the scale stayed the same. Hannah, my sister-in-law and I, just finished Week 3, Day 3 of the Couch to 5K plan today, and I've been doing some toning exercises on the days we aren't running, making for a total of 5 days of exercise this week.

I really do want to lose more than 4.2% of my weight, though, so I reckon I just need to bump up my diligence to what it was week 1! I think I'm too dependent on carbs during the day. I'm always reaching for fruit or a whole grain something-or-other for a snack, and I know I'd lose more if I ate protein snacks (or, uh, didn't eat snacks. ahem).

Are any of y'all trying to work off baby pounds? How's it going for you?

Losing It, pt. 3

This week was not quite as exciting as last week in my Losing It Challenge. The scale didn't drop a single pound (which means I didn't either...). However, I am feeling quite good, and exercising is going well. Tomorrow after I jog with my sis-in-law, that will make 5 days this week. I can already tell I'm more in shape than I was. I let more carbs creep in this week, which I think is why I didn't lose any more weight. Thankfully, they were healthy carbs, so I didn't gain any back!

So, as of this week, I am still down 4.2% of my weight.

Losing It Challenge, 2

I am quite pleased with how Week 1 of my challenge went. My goals were:

::No sweets. I stuck to it! :)
::Limit Carbs. Most days, I definitely ate fewer grains and more vegetables than I usually do.
::Exercise 6 days. Today will be day 4. I did the Shred once and started the Couch to 5K plan with my sister-in-law. Today will be Week 1, Day 3.

The result? I'm down 4.2% of my weight this week!

Losing It Challenge

A week late, I've decided to join in on the Losing it Challenge, hosted by Giving Up On Perfect. A year after Katie's birth, I don't think I can blame her for the high number on the scale anymore, and I really have to do something about it. For my health, to be as attractive as I can be for my husband, and because if the Lord gives us another baby, I don't want to gain another 40 pounds on top of the weight I have yet to lose. I'm not so much joining in for the possible prizes as I am for the accountability. So, I'll be checking in with how I've done and (hopefully) weight lost every Friday.

Here is my plan:
::No sweets, period, as of today. Hold me to this, y'all. Sweets are my downfall. I'm also going to avoid white flours--the only exception would be if we were invited to someone's house for a meal and they served something like spaghetti, where the refined flour couldn't be avoided.
::I am going to limit my intake of grains and carbs in general, and focus on eating healthy fats/proteins and vegetables. I am not committing to a complete grain elimination because I am still nursing and want to make sure my milk supply doesn't diminish.
::Do something for exercise six days per week. Maybe I'll do the Shred, or maybe I'll go on a walk with Katie if the weather permits. But, something. My day off will be Sunday.

What have y'all done to get rid of post-pregnancy pounds?