July Update - Let's Get Real

Wowsers! It's been almost a month since I last checked in on the blog. Life has been busy. Isn't it always? After a rousing week of everyone but me getting the stomach flu, and then a fun-filled (and food-filled) 4th of July weekend, I have to admit that I kind of ate like crap for like a week. I was almost wishing I would have gotten the stomach flu along with the rest of the fam. Then it would have curbed my appetite. Instead, after 4 straight nights of way too much laundry and way not enough sleep, I caved in and ate without counting calories AT ALL. Then we had family come into town for Independence Day, and I didn't really count calories then either. I've had bad days here and there, but I realized this last go-around how easy it would be for me to just slip right back into my habits of overeating and using food as an emotional crutch.  It was really eye-opening for me.

This fitness/weight loss thing is pretty hard some times. I've been counting calories and exercising for almost 3 months now. It's been going well and I'm really appreciating the results I see, but sometimes I just want to eat ice cream with reckless abandon and not care about being a fatty-fat-fat. But the days when I have eaten extra crappy, I'm reminded that my body doesn't like it. I feel gross and bloated and sluggish. So I'm glad my body is here to remind me to stick with it because health and feeling good is even more important than looking good and fitting into a smaller size.

Speaking of smaller sizes, I'm getting there. All my pants that were "way too tight" 3 months ago are getting into the "a bit too loose" category. Luckily I have an awesome friend who is also one of my weight-loss inspirations. She's farther along down her fitness journey and looking amazing. She gave me a huge box of clothes that are too big for her, now, but just right for me in the interim. Total booyah for scoring free clothes in the next size down! So a huge shout out of "THANK YOU" to Amber. You rock, girl! And thanks for being my thinspiration.

Here are today's check-in stats. Like I said, it's been almost a month since I blogged, so these aren't one week changes or anything.

Weight Loss
Starting Weight: 225 lb
Last Check-in (6-17-2014): 199.3 lb
Today: 189.6 lb
3.5 Week Change: 9.7 lb
Total Weight Lost: 35.4 lb

Total Inches Lost:
Neck: 0.5"
Chest: 1.75"
Bust: 2.0"
Waist: 3.5"
Hips: 5.0"
Upper Arm: 1.0"
Thigh:  1.0"
Add it all up, and that's 14.75 inches lost overall!

My anniversary is 5 weeks from today. I'd love to have a total weight loss of 40 lbs by then, which is only 4.6 more pounds to go. That is so doable! If I am extra diligent, I think I could even get down to 180 lbs by then, which would be 45 lbs lost. We'll just see how well I do with eating and exercising. I'm not going to beat myself up over it if I'm not quite to 180 yet.

I'm getting to the point now where I need to start some toning exercises. I'm looking to focus on my core (abs and back) as well as my arms and thighs. So my question to you all is: What are your favorite toning exercises to do? Do you use freeweights? Have a favorite video? What works for you? Let me know in the comments.  I can't afford a gym membership, but I can rock it with the at-home work-outs. Thanks for all your tips! Happy fitness.