I had a ball at the ball...23 weeks

What a week it has been! I ran 7.22 miles last week, attended a ball, and am starting to solidify a concrete group of gal pals. Kind of amazing!

My girl, Sarah, is amazing and has been on a healthy lifestyle journey as well. She looks INCREDIBLE!

So let's get to the nitty gritty of the ball. Mr. Sexy Back was definitely there, but let's just say that I can only thank him for making my theme song and not being a wonderful human being outside of it. Although he was disinterested to be there (and later said they night changed his life forever because of it's 'meaningful impact'), I've taken away that others may be inspired by his words, regardless of how fake they are in actuality. There's something to be said about a man that lives by the words he says (ex: Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela to name a few), but there is also something to be said about the quotes that inspire us on a personal level when we have no idea who the person was behind the quote (ex: The woman came from a man’s rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from his side to be equal, under his arm to be protected, and next to his heart to be loved.)

All in all, I'd say to each their own. But overall, I took away a wonderful evening. I started the event by fitting in a dress size smaller than anticipated a few days prior to the Ball...always a plus. Then we took pictures and started the night with a great ceremony and touching film about the contrast and comparison of the Pearl Harbor attack and September 11th. It was pretty moving and there were definitely some dampened eyes as the film closed. And then, my friends, in 4 inch heels that I ADORE, I danced the night away. 

A group of friends is solidified over dance moves :)

Last week I discussed not wanting to have alcohol get in the way of my progress. It was nice to rise up to the occasion. While many drank, I sipped water, nursed a glass of wine, and punch danced my rage out on the dance floor. LOL! And let's not forget the whole reason of being here-my hubby. He gives me strength in a unique way and I am ever so proud of him and his selfless service for our country. Plus, he's so tall I can wear whatever shoes I want! How can you not love that?!

And so I land this week, a bit nervous for my weigh-in because I was not as easily able to monitor my meals while I was on this mini trip down to Richmond and a few days off from working out. However, I am EXTREMELY happy with this weeks report card. Check it out:

Week 23 weight in

Weight: 169.4

Percent of Body Fat: 37.4%

BMI: 27.8

Water Weight: 45.6%

Weeks to Meet Goal: 34

Comparison to Day 1

Weight Day One: -38.4 lbs

Percent of Body Fat: -6.9%

BMI: -6.4 pts

Water Weight: +5%

Weeks to Meet Goal: -39 weeks (16 weeks ahead of schedule)

Allow me to point out that I am less than 2 lbs away from 40 lost. WOW. That is amazing. Even more amazing is that I have surpassed my half way point to my realistic goal of 135 lbs! WOOT! Heck yea! I am incredibly motivated today and I can only hope I continue to be this motivated over the next few months to really push it out over the holidays and tempting 'stay in' weather. I've GOT to work on getting my beach body! Getting half way makes me think of all those motivation, inspiration, perseverance quotes! I thought they were so corny, but hey, today I am loving it!

 

What I hope this blog does is not only give me accountability to my readers to keep working out, living healthy and growing mentally, but to also motivate everyone to do the same. It's easy to read about this and see the transformation over time, but it's difficult to make it personal until it is personally YOU doing it. Just like the Biggest Loser, it's so easy to say "I want that" "Look what they are accomplishing" and then 'should'in' and making excuses for why YOU aren't in the same position (i.e. "Oh well they are on a show and have trainers I can't afford and strict diets, etc."). I am here to prove that all you need is to your will power to stop excusing yourself and making it easy on yourself for being lazy. That will power will help you to just start doing something, ANYTHING to get you out there and changing your life. No more yo-yo diets, no more guilt, no more. You've got to wake up and just tell yourself "Enough is enough." But I can only tell you about how I went form being insecure and shy, which is 100% not me, to finally feeling I have that old pep in my step, energy, and self confidence growing daily. Telling you can only go so far-it's up to you to start this process.  Over the next few weeks, I'm going to be interviewing some of my friends that have risen to the challenge to change their life. I hope that seeing that others have made drastic changes will help in allowing you to join the community of healthy lifestyles-I am here to support you and so are they. We are all struggling to be fit, but this community is making progress and following through on their goals. So that's my spiel for this week. Stay tuned for more :)

Looking to next week, it will be my 26th birthday-what a good time to get fit :) and Thanksgiving will be upon us as well. Obviously the holiday is centered around eating and I'll do my best to keep the focus on family over food. I've got some big training runs to do in preparation of my 15K and I am hoping to get through them with ease and strength to finish strong. 

I hope this week has motivated you as much as it has me. If I can do it, so can you!

Love w/ all my shrinking bum,

CH