I HAVE MOVED!

The move is over....kind of. We are unpacked and living in the new place. We have a few small details left, hanging up pictures, curtains, pillows, and overall organization of cabinets and closets. This weekend I am going to go and clean the old apartment. We hope to turn in the keys next Wednesday which will make the move officially over.

Last Saturday was the big move day. Everything went fantastically. We had tons of help and it was amazing how fast we got everything done. By Saturday night we were about 95% unpacked. I finished on Monday. I am loving the new apartment and all the new neighbors. I also love Sara! It has been an easy change. I even had friends over for dinner on Thursday and we are planning on having a BBQ on Monday.

Thanks everyone for your help! I could not have moved without all of you. You are the greatest friends every. I will post pictures of the new place in a few days. That is it for now, I have to go start cleaning the old place now :)

Gym Update

It has been a few weeks since I updated you guys on the gym. I just finished my tenth week of Dimensions. The time has gone by so fast. I feel like I just started but I only have two more weeks left. Crazy! I am still learning tons and I am losing weight. I now weigh, as of yesterday, 223lbs. That makes a grand total of 41lbs lost since January. AWESOME! I am feeling good and my clothes just seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I still have at least 73lbs more to lose to meet my goal. So, I still have a long way to go but I am getting a good start. I am so thankful for all of your guys support. Thanks :) Of course I can't do it without my great trainer. He is a big pain but I love him and I am so thankful for his pushing, harassing, and encouragement. He is worth every penny :)

With all of that said I have decided to keep up the training. I am going to be committing to another three months and evaluate after and see. My goal is to keep the "three days a week training" for a year then go down to either two or one day a week for a few months and evaluate after I have hit my goal weight. To start with I will commit to at least three more months. Truly exciting. I will keep you guys posted as I move along. Love you and thanks again for the encouragement and support. You guys rock!

Big News

Today I weighed in and I lost three ponds this week. That makes a grand total of thirty eight pounds lost. SWEET!!!!!!!!!

I also bought my first new pair of pants the other day, all of my pants are too big for me. Anyways, the new pants are four sizes smaller then my old ones. I am so excited. I am now wearing a size eighteen. I can't believe it! People say that they can see that I am losing weight but I can't see it myself. The only thing I am noticing is that my clothes are getting bigger. I had no clue that my clothes were now four sizes to big, and this is my proof that the weight is coming off. The time has come for me to go shopping. I am so blown away and happy about my progress. I have a lot more weight to lose but this new development is the motivation I need to keep working hard. This is definitely the best birthday gift :)

Holdridge Girls Art

On Tuesday the Holdridge girls came over to my house for date night. Violet started drawing and before you knew it all all of the girls joined in the fun. Here are there awesome pictures :)

From Holdridge Art Work

Lauren's picture of me

From Holdridge Art Work

Violet's picture of me

From Holdridge Art Work

Violet's heart...awesome!

From Holdridge Art Work

June picture

Gym Recap

Mike has been keeping me busy at the gym the last few weeks. I am slowly progressing and have been able to lift heavier weights and do more reps of my exercises. I am even getting the techniques down so Mike doesn't have to repeat himself as much. He only has to correct my posture a few times each workout. That is a huge improvement. The best news is that all the hard work is still paying off. My last weigh in, Friday, I had lost a total of 35lbs since January. Let's see how I do tomorrow. This weekend is going to be a hard one due to the fact that I plan on blowing my diet for my birthday. All that means is Monday's weigh in will suck and I am going to have to work extra hard next week.

I am so surprised that I have actually stuck it out this long. This is the first time I have ever committed to a "diet" and have stuck with it longer then two weeks. Now that I have been working out and doing the trainer thing for a little over 3 months I can't imagine not doing it. It has become a major put of my everyday life. I get up work out and watch what I eat. I never really have to think hard about it. It is just what I do. I am not saying I don't have my days of hating the gym and struggling to get out of bed. There is just not as many of those days. This is my new life style and I am happy. I love having Mike, who is faithfully kicking my butt at lest three days a week, and all my awesome friends who have been so encouraging and motivating. Thanks you guys!

New Exercises

As I mentioned in my last post things at the gym are going good. Mike the trainer has been switching things up a little. I have taken a short break from leg curls and leg lifts for a week or so. In there replacements I have done two new exercises. One of them is the “One Legged Leg Press.” It is a lot harder then it sounds, especially with my left leg, also know as the non-dominant leg. After my third rep I am usually sore and have jello legs. The second new exercise is called the “Skydiver.” This one took me a little to get down. It was so frustrated at myself at first. My body just would cooperate with me. For the “Skydiver” I get on my knees, plant my feet firmly on the wall, and then lay down on a ball. Once I am stable I walk my fee up the wall and stand on my tippy toes, lock my knees so that my legs are completely straight. I then arch my back and with my palms down and arms at my side I squeeze my shoulder blades together. I hold this position for a minute and then rest for a little and then do it again. The more I do it and the better I get at it the longer I will need to hold the position. The toughest part of this exercise is having to balance myself on the ball not using my hands or feet. It is a difficult task but it is worth it.

Half Way Mark

Yesterday I completed my sixth week of Dimensions training. The program is twelve weeks long so this is the half way mark. The time is flying. I can’t believe it has been six weeks. I am enjoying it for the most part. There are those days that I am lazy and fight going to the gym, but I have not missed a day yet. There have been a few days, especially this week that I have picked up my phone to call my trainer and make up some excuse of why I did not want to come in. Each time I chickened out. The power of guilt!

I weigh in every Monday and Friday. This past Monday I gained a pound, I blame it on Easter. I seem to be losing about two to three pounds a week. Yesterday, the finale day of my sixth week, I weighed in and I lost three pounds last week. Here is the big new, my grand total of weight lost since January 12th, 2009 is THIRTY POUNDS!!!!! I am can’t believe that I have lost thirty pounds in three months. Absolutely crazy! I am so excited and am now extremely motivated to keep getting up, pushing myself, and sticking with my diet an and workouts. I have lots more weight to lose but this is not bad start.

With all of this said it is now time for me to get up and go to the gym. Have a great day everyone and I will post again soon :)

Date Night with the Girls

This week we went to Starbucks.

The Hamster Wheel

I think I’ve mentioned this machine before, but it deserves a little more blog time. First of all I have to admit I can’t stand this machine. A fifteen minute workout on this contraption produces a ridicules amount of sweat, tears and pain. One of the reasons why I hate this machine is because it is very similar to “The Sled”, which is another crazy exercise I am forced to do. Both of these excises are supposed to build leg strength and burn calories. I believe it is all a lie and just a way to amuse my trainer. There is no power to “The Hamster Wheel”; you make the belt move by grabbing hold of the metal bar and pushing for dear life. It is extremely difficult and absolutely tiring. I can go about six minutes before I need to stop to breathe and wipe myself off. I sweat so much that by the end of my workout I have sweat dripping off every part of my body. Absolutely nasty!

Last week Mike, my trainer, told me he wanted me to start doing “The Hamster Wheel” twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday. Reluctantly I said yes, not that I had a choice. Here are a few pictures for you. I have to remember the final result is worth all of the hard work.

A Gift from Lauren

Last night, after church, Lauren gave me this picture that she drew for me. She told me it said "Heather being a friend is the sweetest thing Love Lauren". How stinking cute is that! Once she told me I could see it. I can't believe how grown up she is. She is an amazing five year old. The girl is so smart and absolute adorable.

Thank you Lauren for my picture. I love it :) I love you too!