Kick start!

Ok, let's do this! First thing to start this thing off is the Biggest Loser Cardio Max program. It's divided into three segments to do over a three to six week period (then maintenance). Today, January 20, 2011, I did day 1. I am going to do the six week option to make sure I get my feet wet fitness wise.  I got properly sweaty and already sore. (My house has steps and my bedroom and bathroom is upstairs). The program will end (not including maintenance) Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Mardi Gras this year is March 8 (today is January 20, that's almost seven weeks). I bought an outfit I sort of fit in at the time that I will be wearing for Mardi Gras 2011. I hung it on my wall for motivation. (Sorry for the crappy quality, it's late and it's from my cell).

Ok, so to give a frame of reference I am currently a dress size 16 (not always flattering), pant size 18, tight shirt size xxl, t-shirt size xl (with fat person stretch). The shorts are size 16, I can put them on, but I would never where them out, and the shirt is....well, I'm not sure. I got the outfit at my favorite store Buffalo Exchange. The shirt was in the xl section of the ladies tops which is what I wore the three weeks or so before buying it. I currently weigh 252 lbs :-(
The thing is I have been extra large my entire life. When I was active and young playing outside, around 12 I bounced between 170-185 lbs. I have been over 200 lbs since i was in the eighth grade. Even when I lost all the weight I got down to 205. This time I'm going under, much under. Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to be skinny, just fit.

BTW, this blog will also be about fashion, because I love it.

I have another goal outfit I bought when I was 205. It's a size XXL from Target which is a 14/16. I could wear it, but it wasn't to cute, not just yet. I would like to be wearing it by the 4th of July, but I don't know if that's realistic because this is about being in shape, not crash dieting.

Yes, that's a belt that does not currently fit hanging on the jumper.
I should tell you, I also plan on getting a tattoo on my inner thigh and/or stomach when I am fit enough to do so comfortably. I have six already and will have many more to come, but there in fat friendly zones. I don't have any weight goals besides under 200lbs, but I do know I would like to be at least a size 10 by the end of the year and able to comfortably jog 2 miles.

Ok, moving on. Like I said, I will be doing the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout for the first 6 weeks. I formerly used Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and had great success getting in shape, and had lots of fun, with the DVD. I think I'll do that next. I have Shaun T. Insanity 90 day program and I will be doing it this year, but I think I'll save it for second to last this year. I will finish the year with p90x which is, duh, 90 days.  So far that means I have April 14 - July 4 free for other programs/dvds (remember, it doesn't have to be full programs. I can intermix or do a new DVD/workout every day) This includes outdoor activities, weight training, jogging (but i do have bad knees), climbing, boot camp, cycling, playing sports, and of course hiking.

I will be weighing in every Friday and letting you know when I fit into new clothes. Plenty of pics to document coming your way. Let's do this!


Size 16, 14, 12, 10 (4 to go)

And so it begins

So here's the deal. In 2009 I lost roughly 50lbs and several sizes. I was in the best shape of my life and strong and fit. YAY! But don't get to excited, because after leaving school in a not so happy ending I moved back home. With no job and no car in a shit town I did nothing. Just nothing. I hung around my father's house and ate, then I went out to eat and drink with my friends. I had gained weight but exercised sometimes so I did not gain it all back, to be honest I'm not sure how much, but my new clothes still fit. Oh, and before I forget to mention, I had my gallbladder removed in March and couldn't do anything, anything. In April I finally moved out of the hell that is north Louisiana and back to where my heart is; New Orleans.
Long story short; New Orleans food & drink(LOTS OF DRINK), no exercise, and a new job where I sit in a chair for hours at a time instead of heavy lifting and manual labor like before and odd sleep patterns (no pattern really) I realized just under a month ago I had gained all of the weight I had lost, and some I lost before that, back. Strangely I can still wear some of my smaller size clothes, but not the pants.
The thing is, when I was exercising six days a week and working on film crews keeping me on my feet and moving and heavy lifting all day I felt much better. I slept better, felt more energized, more sexually energized (yes, I said it), and all around happier. Not that I'm sad, in fact, I'm quite bubbly, but just...happier.
I REALLY enjoyed working out, like crazy person enjoyed it. And as I found out today I still do. I can't do near as much anymore, back to square one, but I still enjoy it just as much. So this is where I stand, I spent much of my life talking, talking about going here, doing this, and so on. But in that year I found out I actually can do things when I just do it. So, with that in mind, I've always had the dream of being a hiker. My dream trips include hiking the base of the Grand Canyon, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Mississippi River Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the east to west coast. (and many more)
2011 is the year I'm going to do it. I don't know how I'm going to pay for it, but those things will work themselves out.
So why the blog? I decided to share my fitness journey with anyone willing to read. I will be working out 4-6 days a week every day for the entire year. Of course I am eating better, but this isn't really about weight loss. That being said, I will post updates on my size and weight from time to time to track progress as well as blog about the exercising.
I am going to try new programs all year round so if you have any suggestions please let me know. I will be posting shortly the initial schedule and some programs I plan on doing this year. I'm going to start it up with one, but I have no problem blending activity. I would like to be your guinea pig. Want to try that program you saw on late night tv, but need a review and unbiased, uncensored results review, I'm your gal.
I don't make a lot of $$ and have a lot of student loan debt so unless you want to send it to me, no million dollar plan please. So, let's get this party started.