Pictures...FAIL!!!!

I kept meaning to get John's picture for week 25 and have him take my 19 month photo but it never happened. It has been crazy around here lately and we never got around to taking pictures last week. I promise this will NOT happen again.

19 Months!

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last month's weight: 150

Today's weight: 149

Weight loss this month: 1

Total weight loss: 146

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 1/4"
Arms: 1/4 "
Waist: 1/2"
Hips: 1/2"
Thighs: 1"
Calves: 1/2"

I am officially closer to 100 than I am to 200 pounds. I gained some weight while at camp because the meals were carb-heavy and I snacked on junk the entire week. I am stoked to not only have lost the camp weight but also be at a loss for the month. I also lost inches in every area!!!! I can't say it enough...life is GOOD!

John Week 25

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 245
Today's weight: 245

Weight loss this week: 0

Total weight loss: 75

I have high hopes for this coming week!

The New Me

Last week I went up to resident camp just like I have done every summer for 10 years. I usually go up to camp as a director but this time I was a counselor. I was in a cabin with 10 - 6th grade girls. I was worried that I would not be able to hang all week. As it turns out, those sweet little girls reminded my why I fell in love with camp in the first place. Being a camp counselor was such a rejuvenating experience.

Last year I celebrated that I could ride the horses. This year I am celebrating that I could do EVERYTHING! I climbed the rock wall for the first time EVER! I know that it may not seem like a very big accomplishment but to me it was a defining moment. The coolest part was that it was physically easy. I also conquered the high ropes coarse. Last year I tried to climb the cargo net to the top of a very large tree and in the end I was only able to make it up 3 feet. This year I climbed that net and made it to the top. I also climbed a rope ladder to a tiny platform at the top of a very high tree. It was called the leap of faith because once I got to the top, I had to jump and grab a trapeze swing. I did it and I held myself up there for a very long time. I am constantly amazed at how strong I am. This past week was so good for me to put into practice the new, healthier me.

John Week 24...6 Months!

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 246
Today's weight: 245

Weight loss this week: 1

Total weight loss: 75

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 1/2"
Arms: 0"
Waist: 1/2"
Hips: 1/2"
Thighs: 1/2"

75 pounds in 6 months! John is amazing in every way. I am so proud of his commitment to healthy living. I was away all week and he not only went to the gym he hiked a trail to the beach. It would have been so easy for him to come home and unwind in peace but he chose to stay active. There is good stuff happening at the Carroll household!

John Week 23

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 250
Today's weight: 246

Weight loss this week: 4

Total weight loss: 74

This was an outstanding week for John. He is now closer to 200 then he is to 300! He went to the gym twice this week and really paid attention to what he ate. He said his weight loss is because he was due for a good week. I know that it was his activity and food choices that lead to a successful week. I am so proud of this man of mine!!!

John Week 22

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 249
Today's weight: 250

Weight loss this week: gain 1

Total weight loss: 70

Crazy week + crazy schedule + work travel + no exercise + eating on the run = weight gain.
John is bummed out about this weight gain but he plans on having a loss next week as things settle down and return to normal.

Week 72...18 Months...Year and a half!!!

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 153

Today's weight: 150

Weight loss this week: 3

Total weight loss: 145

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 0" total: 14"
Arms: 3/4 " total: 6 1/4"
Waist: 0" total: 13"
Hips: 3/4" total: 17 1/2
Thighs: 0" total: 8 3/4
Calves: 0" total: 4"

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!! I did it, I did it! I made it to my 150 pound weight goal. My grandma said this would be the week that I hit 150 and she was right. This is a major accomplishment and a serious milestone. I am so stoked and proud all at the same time. This is the number that I set for myself way back when I weighed nearly 300 pounds. This is the number the doctor gave me to start trying for a baby. This is the number that I have worked so hard to get to. YAY for hard work and commitment. My next and ultimate weight goal is 130. From this point on, I will only be updating my portion of weight loss on a monthly basis. Since my weight loss has slowed to a crawl, monthly updates make the most sense. I will still be tracking John's journey weekly. I plan on staying focused and dedicated to my weight loss. I will continue to monitor what I eat and go all out with my Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai Kickboxing and Jujitsu workouts. Today is a day to remember. Thank you to everyone who has followed me on my journey, celebrated my victories, encouraged me when I struggled and cheered me on as I battled my biggest challenge, my weight.

John 21 Weeks

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 249
Today's weight: 249

Weight loss this week:0

Total weight loss: 71

John has been under a great deal of stress at work these last few weeks. This week was particularly stressful. With all of the craziness at work he missed his workouts and didn't exactly eat like a health nut which explains the numbers this week. Everything is better now and I expect this week to deliver better results.

Week 71

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 153

Today's weight: 153

Weight loss this week: 0

Total weight loss: 142

Another week without losing weight but I have a feeling next week will be better. With my goal only 3 pounds away, it's killing me to watch that stubborn scale hold it's ground!

John Week 20...5 Months

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 250
Today's weight: 249

Weight loss this week: 1

Total weight loss: 71

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 3/4"
Arms: 0"
Waist: 1"
Hips: 1"
Thighs: 0"

John is doing really well with his weight loss and it shows in his clothes. In fact, we went through his closest and dresser and donated 6 bags of clothes that no longer fit him. I am so proud of my husband and I am excited to take this journey with him!!!

Week 70

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 153

Today's weight: 153

Weight loss this week: 0

Total weight loss: 142

I am not surprised that I did not lose any weight this week since I lost 2 weeks in a row. I am just happy that I did not gain anything.

John Week 19

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 254
Today's weight: 250

Weight loss this week: 4

Total weight loss: 70

WOO HOO! John's first weight goal has been met. This a big miles stone for him. His next target is 199. At this rate he will be there in no time! I am so proud of John and his weight loss.

Week 69

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 154

Today's weight: 153

Weight loss this week: 1

Total weight loss: 142

I am super stoked about losing two weeks in a row. I continue to be focused on my goals and am slowly getting closer to achieving them. I absolutely love Muay Thai kickboxing and am getting better at jujitsu every week. These daily workouts keep me motivated to be my best. I have a heart-rate monitor that I wear to every workout. The monitor shows how hard I am working my heart and how many calories I burn. I average between 450 and 600 an hour. This is a significant amount since I eat between 500 and 800 calories a day. I am excited about my progress!

Today John and I were clearing out the closet of all our "fat" cloths. As we were rummaging through old stuff we found my high school cheer uniform. I tried it on and to my surprise it fit. I couldn't believe it fit. I almost hyperventilated while doing my celebration dance. This is a HUGE moment and I am so excited to share it. In my joyful state of excitement, I jumped in the car fully dressed in my uniform and barged into my parents house. I came in doing a cheer and as they laughed, they also congratulated me. My dad and brother think the uniform is too big but I think it is perfect. I am the same size I was when I was a teenager. Go Los Amigos High School class of '96!!!!

John Week 18

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 255
Today's weight: 254

Weight loss this week: 1

Total weight loss: 66

John is down 1 pound but he is also down another pants size and looking yummy!

Week 68...17 Months!

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 157

Today's weight: 154

Weight loss this week: 3

Total weight loss: 141

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 0"
Arms: 0 "
Waist: 1"
Hips: 1 1/4"
Thighs: 1/2"
Calves: 1"

Holy guacamole...3 pounds! I am super stoked about this week's weight loss. I am also happy that I finally lost an inch in my calves. It has been 6 months since I lost anything in my calves. This was a great week and an awesome month. I am slowly BUT surely making my way to my goals!

Week 17

Original weight: 320
Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 258
Today's weight: 255

Weight loss this week: 3

Total weight loss: 65

The fat is just melting away. Another 3 pounds down making a total of 65 pounds gone for good. I just asked John what his ultimate weight goal is and he said he wants to be at 200 pounds. He only has 55 more pounds to lose and he will be there in no time.

Week 67

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 158

Today's weight: 157

Weight loss this week: 1

Total weight loss: 138

John Week 16...4 MONTHS!

Original weight: 320

Weight when he got home after surgery: 313

Last week's weight: 260
Today's weight: 258

Weight loss this week: 2

Total weight loss: 62

Monthly Measurements (inches lost since last month):
Chest: 1/4"
Arms: 3/4"
Waist: 2 1/2"
Hips: 1"
Thighs: 1/2"

Down 2 pounds and inches all around. John is literally shrinking right before my eyes. He is happy with his progress and excited to continue to see the weight melt away.

Week 66

Original weight: 295

Weight when I got home after surgery: 283

Last week's weight: 158

Today's weight: 158

Weight loss this week: 0

Total weight loss: 137

I went to the river this weekend with my family and ate like it was going out of style. I am just happy I didn't put on any weight. I am hoping that since this weekend was bad, my body will shed pounds this week once I get back on track.