Failing Miserably at Weight Loss? Or Just Plain Unmotivated?

So I've been on my Weight Loss Challenge for 3 months now. And never in my life have I failed at weight loss when I really put my mind to it. So the fact that I haven't weighed in (or posted) and recorded my weight says one of two things; I'm finally failing at weight loss OR I'm unmotivated.

And sadly, I think it's the later.

I choose carbs over veggies, eating out over making meals, and letting my husband decide where an what we eat. Totally bad combos that have lead me to fear stepping on the scale since the Monday after BlogHer.

You see, when I got back from BlogHer life was hard. Not only had I been away for 4 days, I also had a LOT to do and catch up with. So all plans of "eating healthy and getting back on track after BlogHer" were gone.

In NYC feeling fabulous

What sucks is that I really didn't do too bad at BlogHer. With all of the walking I did I actually only gained 1.5lbs while away.

So why am I writing this? Well... I've gained my motivation back. I'm picking back up, getting on that horse, and riding towards success (how corny is that?).

How am I going to do it? With more fitness/health buddies! I'm going to commit myself to one gym day with my friend Janelle, will make Mariah hold me accountable (as well as hold her accountable) for moving my butt and making healthy choices, AND by not slacking on updating my dear readers.

And with the help of the tools I already have on board including my Weight Watchers membership, the FitBit, my Precise Portions dinnerware, Shakeology, and my new, beautiful Joovy Zoom 360 (review to come!!) I am turning corners and WILL get this disgusting 45 pounds off.

The new Joovy 360 ready for a spin

And as scary as it is, I'll be stepping on the scale this Friday to see what the damage is. And if I have more than 45 pounds to lose now.

Today is a new day. My breakfast is tracked, I went on a 20-minute run (which was probably quite entertaining for anyone who saw me), and I have plans for the gym on Wednesday. I am motivated. I will make time. I will be healthy for me.

If you want to join me (and remember... it's not just about weight loss, it's about getting healthy and being happy with your body) feel free to join in and link up to my monthly Weight Loss Challenge post on the first of every month.

Email me at simmworksfamily(at)gmail.com if you also want to participate in the monthly WLC giveaways! And check out this month's giveaway here for an Ozeri scale and Meet Me at the Dinner Table meal planner. 

Simmworks Family Weight Loss Challenge {Month 2}

I have to say that I was a bit apprehensive stepping on the scale. Wasn't sure what I'd find and was afraid that my monthy visitor had come a little early to mess things up. But honestly, even with a 0.2 gain, I'm happy!!


No, it's not huge. But last month I ended with a weight that was OVER my starting weight. So being back down makes my whole attitude about this challenge change. I really did think I'd be down 10-15 pound by now in time for BlogHer. That goal was not made. So I'm going to pick it up and get down to business.

But first... I fly to New York City to attend BlogHer'12. And while I'll be conscious about what I'm putting in my mouth, I will not limit myself if something delicious heads my way. That's what all the walking is for, right? No weigh in on Friday (nor last Friday) so this weigh in serves for both. I'll update next Friday when I've (hopefully) balanced out all the fun I'll have this weekend.

Here's what worked for me this month:

• Walking the neighborhood with the kids 4-5 mornings a week (while wearing my FitBit daily)
• Continuing to eat my meals on my Precise Portions dinnerware
• Being consistant with what I'm eating 
• Regularly using Shakeology for lunch

What I need to work on:

• Getting to the gym!! Those membership dues keeps getting deducted and I need to use it.
• Logging my points on WW

My Plan:

• Scheduling regular gym dates with a buddy
• Starting to swim laps (no class time needed!)
• Walking every day with the kids or dog
• Log my points!! Again... paying for WW, I need to use it. 

And I'm not doing this alone! I have a team of other bloggers who are sharing their journey as well. So head on over and see what they have to say! Then go enter our August WLC Giveaway! You could win a Meal Planning Guide AND Digital Scale from Ozeri. 

Week 5 Weigh In: Climbing Out of the Hole #simmwlc

Starting to see the numbers go down... still in the red but hoping to pull through.

The plan?

Eggs for breakfast, Shakeology for lunch, portion controlled balanced dinner on Precise Portions dinnerware and lots and lots of steps being tracked by my FitBit!

Here's hoping for the same results next week.

Weight Loss Progress

Starting Weight: 204 lbs 6/1/2012

Size 12/14

Current Weight: 203.2 lbs 7/6/2012

Size 14

Total to go: 48.2 lbs

Total lost: 0.8 lb

 First Post - The Beginning

Week 1: -1lb

Week 2: -2.2lbs 

Week 3: -0.4lbs 

Week 4: +4.4lbs :(

Week 5: -1.6lbs

FitBit {#simmwlc Tricks & Tools}

When I started my weight loss journey this time around I knew I needed something that could easily track my fitness. I have a heart rate monitor but I only wear it when I'm going to the gym so I wanted something that would be great for all day use.

And since sadly I haven't found enough time to fit in the gym, I've been trying to stay active in my day-to-day activities by walking more and doing at-home training. So it's hard to track all that I'm doing to stay fit. 

That's when I found the FitBit Ultra. And I've been in love ever since.

The FitBit Ultra wirelessly tracks any and all activity in the form of how many steps are taken each day, calories burned, and how far you've traveled, with it's 3-D motion sensor (think: Wii technology). All in one little device that securely attaches anywhere from your waistband to your bra to the clip it comes with. It can even track floors climbed with the new altimeter technology built in. This device is much, much more than a pedometer.

I love securing it to my pocket or waist during the day and even while running around with the kids and getting up and down 100x it has never once fallen off. It can be attached via the clip that comes with it or by simply attaching the device to your waist, bra, or pocket.

And if you're worried about someone noticing this device, don't. It's so small that I've only once been asked about it and that's only because a friend had read a previous blog post where I mentioned using the FitBit. She didn't even know I was wearing it at the time!

I keep the FitBit docking station on my nightstand plugged into my laptop. That way I remember to wear it as soon as I get up and I place it back on the dock when I go to sleep. I absolutely love how easy it is to keep track of everything. All of the data is instantly sent to my computer wirelessly without me having to push a button.

AND I get super awesome reports with a run down of my activity each day. A summary of the previous week is even emailed to me so I can keep up with how active I am over the course of 7 days.

Take a look at what a typical day looks like for me: 

How awesome is this for motivation?

I'm always trying to beat the previous day's steps. Some days I succeed, others I fail miserably. But I'm having so much fun doing it. And with the push of a button I can tell how I'm doing at any point in the day.

Not only does the display on the FitBit Ultra have the steps, stairs, and calories; it also includes a clock, stopwatch and a personalized greeting! When I'm out and about I just need to look down and check what time it is instead of pulling out my cell phone. Quick and easy!

Being home full time with my kids and working from home allows me little time to really focus on the time I spend being fit. By including the FitBit Ultra in my daily routine I not only am aware of how active I am but how active I need to be; I spend less time worrying about it! And less time tracking fitness means more time focusing on what really matters.

I have yet to use it to track my sleep but will be delving into that function this month! So stay tuned for another review of the Sleep Tracker functionality of the FitBit ultra in August.

And if you want to check out the FitBit Ultra for yourself head over to the FitBit website to purchase one today! 

Disclaimer: I received a FitBit for review purposes only. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Simmworks Family Weight Loss Challenge {Month 1}

Well... I honestly don't know what to say here.

I completed month one but have no idea how I went from being down 3.2 pound and on the right track to being UP 0.8 pounds from my start weight on June 1st.

I cried. I lost it. And I got mad. And then I went out and celebrated my 5 year anniversary.Because I deserved an awesome weekend with my husband.

I didn't even bother taking new photos for the month so I included one of me from our stay at the San Diego Hilton above.

Not only have I been watching what I eat, I've been working on portion control with my Precise Portions cookware, and I've been working on exercise by wearing my FitBit every day to count steps. I've been averaging 8-10,000 steps a day depending on how active we are and if we take our morning walk.

Not to mention my Shakeology shake a day AND using Weight Watchers online. So I'm really kinda at a loss. Weight loss has always been easy up until this weight range and I need to get to the 190s soon! It is driving me crazy.

So I'm up for hearing any and all tips and tricks! If you know of something I should be doing but am not feel free to let me know!

And don't forget the 

July Weight Loss Challenge Giveaway

Make sure you visit the other bloggers participating in this challenge and help cheer them on as they reach their own personal Weight Loss Challenge goals!

Weight Loss Progress

Starting Weight: 204 lbs 6/1/2012

Size 12/14

Current Weight: 204.8 lbs 7/1/2012

Size 14

Total to go: 49 lbs

Total lost: +0.8 lb

 First Post - The Beginning

Week 1: -1lb

Week 2: -2.2lbs 

Week 3: -0.4lbs 

Week 4: +4.4

Week 3 Weigh In: Chuggin' Along #simmwlc

This week was a bit wonky. Not only am I posting late, I had to weigh in a day early because we headed up to Disneyland on Thursday night. So while I'm down I think I'll be happily surprised next Friday when I weigh in.

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

The results?

Hey... that's almost 1/2 a pound! I'll take it.

I got a little more active this week. I've held steady at 10,000 steps a day and have been keeping track with my FitBit. I seriously LOVE this thing! So easy to use and it automatically uploads all of my data when I set it on the dock at night to charge.I know exactly how much more active I need to be at night and if I need to take another walk to up my numbers.

I've also been quite good about eating good. I have a routine and I think I like it!

Protein for breakfast (eggs with veggies & cheese)
Shakeology for lunch
Lean meat, veggies, and 1/2 cup of grains for dinner

I've been snacking on the same things too... honey wheat pretzels with hummus, baby carrots, apples, bananas, and Chobani yogurt (yum!). Every once in a while I'll indulge in a few bites of something bad but I don't think I've overdone it.

And if I continue on this path I know I'll see the results I want! I may be a bit behind in where I want to be but I'm going in the right direction. So close to the end of this first month!

What I need to work on:

• Tracking on WW regularly - I'm paying for it... I need to use it!
• Keeping a great, healthy sweet treat around so I'm not tempted with bad stuff
• Getting to the gym! Again, paying for it and I need to use it

Are you on your own weight loss journey? Any great tips to share or struggles you need support with? I'd love for you to join in!

Weight Loss Progress

Starting Weight: 204 lbs 6/1/2012

Size 12/14

Current Weight: 200.4 lbs 6/21/2012

Size 12/14

Total to go: 45.4 lbs

Total lost: 3.6 lb

 First Post - The Beginning

Week 1: -1lb

Week 2: -2.2lbs 

Week 3: -0.4lbs