Time for Your Checkup!

As you may recall, about 4 weeks ago, I decided to "give up on" my goals of getting back to my pre-baby weight in favor of just getting healthier and stronger.

A group of my friends and I agreed to do 4 weeks of Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30 workout.

And I figured you were all waiting on pins and needles to find out the results about this little experiment.

Good news.

I'm here to spill the beans.

Week 1 wasn't so bad.

But I will admit that by day 3, I could barely lift my arms over my shoulders.

Week 2...

Well...

In a nutshell - it's a killer.

I may have cried.

But it's not insanity, so....

And it's only 25 minutes long...

I can do ANYTHING for 25 minutes....

So I kept at it.

Week 3 came and went.

At some point during week 3, I am pretty sure my legs stopped functioning properly.

But it's all good.

Eventually, I hit week 4.

And thought, there is no way I can do this.

But I did.

Week 4 is officially over.

And as for the final outcome???

Well, as it turns out, I did lose almost 1 lb. in the last month.

Technically a total of .8, but it's my lowest weight to date...

Putting me only 5.6 from my pre-pregnancy weight.

But more importantly, I really feel like I can see alot of improvement in my body in the last month.

Muscles are getting firmer, I'm seeing more tone and less flab...

And more importantly, my clothes are fitting better every day.

To be honest, I don't think you can visually see alot of difference in the last 4 weeks.

But I feel it.

So moving forward, I am going to continue the same strain of workout dedication.

I will be continuing at least another month with Ripped - maybe interchangeably with other workouts, but definitely more often than not.

And maybe somewhere down the line, I'll get brave enough and/or strong enough to try Insanity or P90x, but for now, I'm excited about the change that the last month has given me and I'm more excited about the motivation it has given me.

Here's to the next 4 weeks and seeing where it takes me!

Fitness Friday: To Catch You Up

It's been more than 35 weeks (tomorrow will make 36...) of dieting and exercising to try to get this baby weight off.

And my last post about it was 18 weeks ago. (Which, by the way, I just realized someone had commented on and I just read it for the first time.  It almost made me cry!  Thank you, commentor!!!)

Apparently, 18 weeks ago, I was weighing in at 154.2.

And over the last 18 weeks, I have run, biked, strength trained and dieted my way down another 9 lbs.

I did the cleanse last week in hopes of shedding some quick pounds, but that didn't really work out as planned....

So now, I'm left with 4 weeks to lose 7 lbs.

Talk about depressing.

For someone who hasn't lost more than a lb a week in over a month, it's probably time to be realistic, but I'm always hopeful.

But at this point, to hit my goal, I'd have to lose 2 lbs a week for the next 4 weeks.

And that might be a little impractical.

Not to say that I'm not going to give it all I've got for the next 4 weeks.

And in the meantime, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

Wish me luck!

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 18

It has officially been 2 weeks since my last weigh-in.

And I know that all 4 of you have been dying for an update!

And since I hate nothing more than disappointing people, here goes nothing.

It's been an exciting 2 weeks.

Since I broke the 20 pound mark, I have had a nervous twitch in my right eye just waiting for the week that I leveled off.

Didn't lose anything.

Hit that plateau.

Yada yada.

So, it was with a sigh of relief that I greeted last week's weigh in.

Because last week, it finally happened.

Despite my best efforts, I didn't even lose 1/10 of a pound.

I know, in your head you're asking, "SIGH OF RELIEF???  LEAH?  ARE YOU OK?"

But seriously.  I have been worried about this for weeks now.

And it finally happened.

And it wasn't a gain.

And the twitch finally went away.

So yeah.

Sigh of relief.

Oh, but this helped:

Another size 8.

17 weeks and 21.4 lbs and I'm already in my 2nd size 8.

That sparked a giddy moment where I decided to do a quick snapshot of "Shrinking Leah."*

Then the giddy got slap-happy.

So I carted myself off to bed and started my week with a renewed dedication to get past the plateau as quickly as possible.

I changed my exercise routine.

I took my weight watcher point count down by 2 per day.

And then, I worked it out.

And yesterday, at the end of week 18, here's where the numbers shook out:

That's a 3.4 lb. weight loss in one week!

Bringing my total weight loss down to 24.8.

To be honest, I don't think there is much of a visual change this week, but I took a picture all the same:

What you don't see in this picture is that although the jeans I'm wearing are a size 10, the top is a size 6.

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE.

I feel like a surfer who just caught his first wave.

(You should know, though, that had it not been for the generous hemline of the shirt, you'd have seen a muffintop to rival anything you would see on People of Walmart.)

But it's worth it.

Size 6, duuuuuuuuuude.

That, my friends is SUCCESS!

*think of it like Flat Stanley.  You can (read: should) totally print off a copy of this pic and send me your very own "shrinking you" pics of your weight loss journey next to your very own "Shrinking Leah".**

**This sounds like Instagram GENIUS people!!! My moments of brilliance are rarely beneficial and are minimally noticed, so please, make the most of this one.  MKaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay?

Weekly Weigh In: Week 16

As the weeks tick by, I'm watching myself get closer and closer to my goal.

Only to become more and more petrified of what happens when I eventually step on the scale and it doesn't move.

You know, because I like to worry about things that haven't happened yet.

Like what's going to happen when Prince Harry marries someone I don't approve of.

(Teenage Leah is so shocked at how Grown Up Leah admires the red-head WAY MORE than the other prince.  Also, I may have watched too much London Olympics.  Just saying.)

My point, clearly, is that I don't wanna stop losing weight yet....

Especially since I know that the first 20 is the easiest.

You know, cause I hit 20 last week.

And I am ecstatic about it.

BUT.

I just remember living in agony at how slow it went last time.

So just for kicks and giggles, I did a little digging.

Last time, when I was 16 weeks in, I posted this post.

And the data that I have says that I had only lost about 9 lbs at the end of week 15.

(Yes, data.  As in, it's all in an excel spreadsheet with charts and everything.  I think we know how much of a nerd I can be, right???)

Anyway, that would put me way ahead of the curve this time.

But I'm pretty sure it had alot to do with this.

And since I have been routinely monitored for my thyroid issues, I haven't had to fight that losing battle this time.

But that doesn't mean I'm not going to hit a plateau.

I mean, anytime you are losing more than a couple of pounds a plateau is almost sure to happen.

So I am on red alert.

To be honest, I really expected this to be the week.

However, that didn't end up being the case....

That's another 1.2 lbs. down from last week!

And as far as how that affects my size....

This week, I was able to squeeze myself into not one, but TWO size 8 dresses.

Now, OBVIOUSLY, dresses are MUCH more forgiving than jeans or shorts will ever be.

And as you can see below, my lower half is still much larger than my top half.

As always.  I've never had the greatest legs (or butt, for that matter).

But that's nothing a little (read: ALOT) of running won't take care of.

If only I had a treadmill.

Or a husband with a more predictable schedule.

Or a double jogger.

Siiiiigh.

But that doesn't mean I'm making excuses.

I will make it happen.

Some how, some way.

After all, all those size 8's and 6's in my closet are begging to be worn!!!

Weekly Weigh-In Week 15

So, I've been at this for almost 4 months, now.

Allow me a moment of stark honesty.

I am experiencing far more insecurity this time around than I experienced last time.

I am pretty sure it has a heck of alot to do with the fact that I am at home this time around.

And maybe the fact that I put on makeup approximately 2 days a week.

And shower maybe 3 days.

I know.

It's sad.

But back to the insecurity.

Even though I have done fairly well with my weight loss this time, I still feel so dissatisfied with where I'm at.

However, where I'm at is actually a pretty awesome place to be.

Since my last WWI post, only 3 weeks ago, I have gone from a size 12 - that I was just barely able to squeeze into - to a size 10 - that I can just barely squeeze into.

In reality - when I'm not letting my insecurity rock the house - that's pretty freaking awesome.

I mean size 10 is the last bastion before single digit sizes!

I should really be high kicking for joy right about now!

Something must be wrong with me.

Since I don't have time to do a complete recap, (seriously, you need to follow me on insta.gram, people: leahmpeck)

Here's where we're sitting at today.

Um.  Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

I don't know if you remember where I started at....

But I do.

And this number is exactly 20.2 pounds lower than the original one.

That's TWENTY pounds, people!

IN FOUR MONTHS!

I'm a little excited.

As for the before and afters, it's been a few weeks since I could get the pics up, but as of week 13, this what the weight loss looked like:

Despite the fact that there is still a whole lot of insecurity going on, I can tell you that the pictures have been a HUGE encouragement this time around.

(I know I have said it before, but if you are planning to start a weight loss journey, seriously, don't drop the ball on the before and after pics.  It has been the only thing to keep me going some weeks when the scale wasn't moving!)

I encourage you to try it!

Long story short, I am pretty excited about hitting the 20 pound mark, and pretty terrified of hitting the plateau that I know is waiting for me any day now!

I just have to continue to remind myself that this is not a quick journey.

Slow and steady will get me there.  One pound at a time.

Weekly weigh in: Week 12

I'm so lazy when it comes to blogging these days.

It's actually been 3 weeks since I have said anything about my weight on here.

Which is seriously lame.

But, in the past 12 weeks, I have lost 16.8 lbs.

Some weeks were big.

Some weeks like this last one, were not. 

But all in all, they have gotten me here - smaller, lighter, and well on my way.

I am spitting distance from the halfway mark and if that doesn't get a momma moving, nothing will.

I've had a lot of people ask me what I'm doing to get the weight off, and I promise to post a general post soon about how I'm losing this weight, but for now, here's a check in since my last weigh in post.

Week 9, brought me to my first size 12 jeans of the year.

They were tight and uncomfortable, but they were size 12's that would zip, so SUCCESS!

Week 10 took me down .8 to 165.6

And in week 10, I saw a tremendous reduction in MASS, overall.

As in, woah!  Forreals, people.

Then came week 11.

Week 11 was a HUGE week on the scale.

Huge is obviously a relative term considering that I haven't lost more than 2 pounds a week since I started this go around.

During week 11, I dropped 2.8 lbs!!!

That's a new record for this momma!  

I was stoked.

I was just sure I had hit my stride.  

That new and exciting weight loss weeks were going to be in my future from here on out.

That I would be in the 150's by the end of week 12.

But, alas.

Week 12 brought with it the meager .6 lb loss.

And that was after I stepped on the scale a good 5 times and removed every stitch of anything that could possibly add weight to my body.

To say I was disappointed, would be somewhat of an understatement.

But then, just for kicks and giggles, I did my before and after pic.

People.

If you are on a weight loss journey and you aren't doing before and after shots or side by sides, stop what you are doing this very second and take a before shot.  

Then proceed with afters.

Talk about an encouragement.

The change is real.

It is evident.

Even when it doesn't show on the scale.

It shows.

Obviously, my new goal for the upcoming week is to kick myself into high gear and hit the 150's.

Alas, since I will be without access to my scale until next Monday, I won't be posting a weigh in post this week.

So my goal for next week is to hit the 20 lb. mark.  I want to be half way there, already!  

I want to be down to 157 before week 15.  

I know I can do it, I believe I can do it, and I relish the humiliation that awaits me if I don't!

Wish me luck!!

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 9

Well peeps.

It's been 9 weeks.

9 weeks of exercise,

9 weeks of dieting,

9 weeks of yada yada yada.

But I'm proud to say that after 9 weeks, I've lost 12.6 lbs.

Nothing amazing.

But it's better than nothing.

And considering that I'm pretty sure I have a stress fracture in my foot and I haven't been able to run in 3 weeks, I'll take it.

And if you're really only here for the pictures and the numbers, then here you go:

Weekly Weigh In: Week 6

Let me ask you something...

Are holidays hard for you?

Cause they rock my little world.

Especially when I spend them with my mother in law who puts Paula Deen to shame.

Or my friend Kathy, who seriously makes me gain weight just by looking at her food.

But that's no excuse.

Despite the fact that I am dedicated to this goal, I still skipped a workout on Monday.

And I did enjoy a little too much guacamole...

So, at the end of the week, I should be glad to see any weight loss right?

But I'm discouraged....

At the end of week 6, I'm only down .8

And I'm on my way to the beach for a week....

Which obviously implies nothing but ice cream and cookie dough, right?

Or is that just me?

I could seriously use some encouragement this week!

Who's up for the challenge?

In the meantime, for those of you who only care about the bottom line...

6 weeks and 8 lbs.

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 4

Technically, this is my 5th weigh in. But it's OFFICIALLY the end of my 4th week of dieting.

 And let me tell you something, a month has brought me a LOOOOONG way. Admittedly, the first week was a struggle.

 But then again, I went from eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it

(breastfeeding turns me into Animal from the Muppet Babies)

To eating a reasonable amount of HEALTHY food every day.

 That would be a shock to anyone's system.

 And I've upped my game on the exercise scene. 

Jillian has once again entered into my life with all her talky-talkiness and butt-busting moves.

And little by little, I'm seeing change. Improvement. Strength.

Even if my midsection has more wobble than Granny's pineapple jello mold.

As a general recap, this is how I started out.

Weighing in at 179.

And today, at the end of week 4, this is where we are at:

Weighing in at:

That's 5.6 lbs in 4 weeks.

Nothing amazing, but still an average of 1.4 lbs per week.

I'm not down a dress size yet, but soon.

I can feel it.

I believe it.

According to one of my nursing friends, I should start to notice it pick up soon as it takes a good month for your body to adjust to the new regimen before it will start shedding the pounds.

I know.

Laugh.

But you can't blame a girl for hoping.

It's a journey, I know that by now.

No one ever gets there if they don't start SOMEWHERE.

This isn't the Biggest Loser gym.

 This is my living room.

With 2 babies.

But I refuse to get discouraged.

Because 1.4 lbs a week will still get me there.

After all, "it's not a race, it's a marathon"

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 3

I should really sub-label this as "travel edition" since we spent the week in Virginia with my family.

Does any one else struggle with diet and exercise when you are out of town? 

No? Just me?

Well, I do.

It's sad, really.

Travel-Leah had the will power of Oprah sitting next to a box of chocolates...it's weak, very weak.

But I tried really hard.

I worked out 3 days.

I actually ran my first mile this time around!

And then was so sore I could hardly move for the next 3 days...

But I tried to eat healthy.

And my results?

Down .2 lbs.

If you're keeping track, that's a whopping 3.6 lbs since I started this journey a month ago.

And for those of you who just want to see a number...at the end of week 3, I'm weighing in at...

Weekly Weigh In: Week 2

So I have a half written post for last week...

But then I ran out of time to post it.

So this is a recap.

I'm dieting.

Weight Watchers-ing to be exact.

And working out.

Elliptical and 30 Day Shred style.

Running is scheduled to commence next week hopefully.

But for now, I am 2 weeks into this thing.

And so far, I'm down 4 lbs.

That's 1/10 of my goal, people!

At this rate, in another 4.5 months, I could be skinny again!

Not that you (or I, for that matter) think that could actually happen.

But to quote myself, progress is progress!

And I weigh less than my hubby again, so really, I can breathe easier.

So now, without further adieu, the number you've all been waiting for...

Weekly Weigh In: Let the Games Begin

I don't feel comfortable doing this quite yet...

But only because I'm embarrassed...

Because I still haven't lost any weight.

As a matter of fact, I've only gained it.

Since I came home from the hospital, I have gained more than a pound a week!

Talk about depressing.

But in my defense...

1. I'm way smaller than I was last time at this point.

I know this because last time, I went back to work at 9 weeks.

And when I went back to work, I was wearing a 16-18....

Today, baby girl is 9 weeks and 2 days old, and I am wearing a 14.

2. Last time, I started my weigh in's at 4 months. And at 4 months, I weighed in at 178 lbs.

Today, at 9 weeks, I'm weighing in just over that.

Basically, if I start my weight loss next week, I will have a 2 month jump start on myself.

And have almost the same amount of weight to lose.

So where exactly am I weighing in at, you ask?

And here's where I hang my head in shame-isn't pretty...

And it's more than Techy...

But I gotta start somewhere...

So, let the games begin!