August 15, 2011

exciting stuff

Lamest post title ever right?  I bet you thought hmm, bet there is absolutely nothing exciting in that post.  But really, to me there is.  I'm just not feeling real witty right now (I've been up since 5:25AM, it's currently 11:36PM as I start this post.  Witty has completely gone out the window).  So where to start...

I'll start with the biggest thing for me... WEIGHT LOSS GOAL #1 REACHED!  That's right, on Tuesday I stepped on the scale and about had an all out party.  Like I said last week, I am now very much attune to the fact that the scale isn't the measure of my success.  But I am so freaking proud to have met my goal.  I've wavered up and down a pound or so over the last week (this morning I was right at my goal, no point this or that!), but I saw the number I'd been waiting so see for the last five+ months.  I know I can be there.

I had Chris snap some progress pictures (they aren't the greatest, not Christopher's fault though!).  Personally I don't see a huge difference from my last photo, but I can definitely see it in the mirror.  I've only lost about five pounds between the two photos, but I've gained a decent amount of muscle.  (The newest photo is on the left, it drove me nuts, but I faced the wrong way for the side view, and I couldn't have me looking to the edges of the screen, that just felt weird.  OCD much?  Yes, a little bit.)

frontprogresscomparison
sideprogresscomparison

The difference between my starting picture and my most recent, however, is quite obvious.  More or less, roughly what a 33lb weight loss looks on a 5'4"-5'5" frame.  No crazy fad diets, just watching what I eat and good ol' fashioned exercise.

beforeandafter

I am 100% proud of what I've done, and looking forward to working on more healthy lifestyle changes.

Other exciting tidbits... yesterday I participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  It was interesting.  I'm sure the event was great, and I'm glad I supported the cause, I however, had no idea what was going on :o).  I didn't sign up to be a competitive runner, because I'm not a competitive runner.  But didn't really take in to account that there would be a TON of people in the non-competitive 5K run/walk that were just there for a 3 mile stroll.  That is 100% ok.  Just made the fact that I wanted to run a little more difficult.

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Ok really, the most difficult part, was the fact that we had no idea what was going on.  Chris was pushing Ryann and walking with me, trying to figure out where the heck the start was.  We were just wandering along following the heard.  And then we crossed the start line.  Chris:  "Umm.  That thing we just walked over said 5K Start."  Wait what?  That was the start line?  I thought this thing wasn't supposed to start for another 5 minutes?  So, like, I'm going?  Yeah.  For a minute I debated whether I just walk the course with Chris and Ryann, or try to run through the mass of people.  But I came there to run, so that is what I did.

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After we realized we crossed the start, I checked my phone, 7:41AM.  I didn't get a chance to start my stopwatch or put in my headphones or anything, just jumped behind a girl who ran by on the sidewalk and started going.  The first mile was tons of weaving, sprinting, awkward slow jogging, jumping over curbs, basically just trying to make my way through the course as quickly as possible.  Finally I made it past the majority of the slow walkers and it was much easier to hit a stride, more or less.  Until we merged with the people doing the one mile walk.  More weaving, lots of awkward running, but I crossed the finish line at 8:09AM.  Roughly 28 minutes?  Who knows.  I'll take it.  I still had a good time.  And was very thankful that the hubs and the babe came out to support me :o).

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My last bit of exciting stuff for the day?  I'm taking over McFatty Monday.  If it weren't for linking up with Blair, I 100% wouldn't have gotten to where I am now.  Having that little bit of accountability, plus reading posts from other women who are either living a healthy lifestyle or are wanting to, was incredibly inspiring and motivating to me.  So I'm very thankful to BA for letting me keep the McFatty community alive.  I'm changing it up a bit, and will be referring to my posts as 'Move it Monday', in an attempt to stay as positive and upbeat as possible.  But... It will still be McFatty Monday in my head.  At least for a while.  Both are good for me.

So here are the rules.  First, please link up directly to your Move it Monday post, not just your blog.  Second, the post must be healthy living/weight loss related.  Does your post have to be positive?  Absolutely not.  I've had my fair share of issues that I've posted.  But please don't randomly link to a post about stuff that doesn't pertain to health/fitness/weight loss issues.  Tell us your progress, your triumphs, your failures, share a workout or a healthy recipe, that kind of stuff.

All of you out there who've said I have inspired you?  Here is your chance to do it for someone else.  Link up below! 

24 comments:

Rachel said...

Congrats Ashley! You are amazing! I can totally see the diff with your progress pics. Your face especially. Well done :)

Ashley said...

You look so awesome girl:) such a motivation for me. I am glad you are continuing the linkup. I will will be doing so tonight:)

Anonymous said...

You look amazing!!! Congrats on all your hard work!!! Keep it up!

Jennifer said...

I can definitely see a difference...way to go! You look great!

Libby's Life said...

You look absolutely amazing girl! Congrats on your amazing weight loss journey!! :)

KellytheCulinarian said...

Congratulations, you look fabulous!

kyna... said...

You look great Ashley! So proud of you!
♥ Kyna

Erin said...

Congrats on making your goal, Ashley! You look amazing - I can definitely see the difference, even though I also think you looked great before too! :)

Kelly said...

What a difference a few months and some hard work make! You go girl!

Anonymous said...

You look amazing girl! Such an inpriation! Since January I have lost about 20 lbs (it should be more by now) but will keep plugging along! :)

B Walker said...

That's awesome Ashley!!! Congrats on making your goal and doing what makes you feel good, because that's what it's all about. YOU LOOK AWESOME!

Meaghan said...

Congrats on meeting your goal! All that hard work has paid off!

Jeane said...

Congratulations! You really do look amazing and I can see the difference as well. Especially in your face!

You really are a motivation and it is so great that you let us follow your journey!

Faith said...

you look incredible! amazing job!!! your hard work has def. paid off .. i can def. see the differences! wow!

Julie S. said...

You look amazing! Your hard work has really paid off! :)

Nicole said...

You look AWESOME!!! Seriously, I can see the difference. My brother ran the race and said the same thing about the organization. Bummer. Sounds like you had fun anyway. Be proud!

Amy Nielson said...

holy crap, 33 pounds??? that is awesome! go you! you look so good :)

Amy S said...

I have been following your blog for probably a year now, but haven't commented until I saw your before and after pics, and you just look fabulous!

Sharstin said...

you are awesome girly! you look great, and way to go!

sandy said...

Ashley, you look totally amazing. I've been reading your blog for a while now and actually started up doing the C25K program 2 weeks ago. It's really inspiring to go back and read all your posts as I'm feeling a lot of the same things and it's AMAZINGLY inspiring to see how well it's worked for you. I've been thinking about blogging about it to record my progress. Anyway - thanks for being such an inspiration! And PS Ryann is adorable!

Oph said...

You look fantastic! That is amazing that you reached your first goal. Way to go!

Whitney said...

You're amazing! So proud of you for working so hard. You look great, and it is so neat to see how far you've really come since the babe was born. Love you, hottie sugardaddy!

Jillian - Maddie's Mom :) said...

Congrats Ashley!! You look amazing!

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