I never thought it would be easy...

When signing up for this, I never thought it was going to be an easy ride although we have access to some exceptional care here at Moses Cone. It's not up to the doctors and nutritionists to keep me going forward with this process, I have to be committed to myself. Life has been extremely busy the past 2 weeks and my priorities have had to change just a tad. Work has been REALLY busy and I haven't been able to get in exercise during lunch. I know I can do it afterwork, but if anybody knows me... I have alot going on there too. I haven't been able to put forth the effort needed to be successful in this journey. I am still pretty proud of myself that last week I managed to loose a pound (I must have been doing something right) and then so far this week, I've lost 1.3 pounds. I am hoping my final number for the week will be 2 pounds. That doesn't sound to far fetched to me. I'll be right on target for loosing 10 pounds the first month for this journey. Now, I just have to keep it up so I can hit 45 by October!

Chris and I took our engagement pictures this past Wednesday. I hav to say... THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL! I am so blessed to have a wonderful photographer to share these special moments with. Richie and Jamie Staggs of Jagg Photography (http://www.jaggphotography.net/) certainly are amazing artists. I am very happy I got our e-session done at the beginning of this journey because it will serve as motivation for me to continue to be successful over the next 4.5 months. I will look at them over and over again and think, I'll never let myself look like that again. When I hit my long term goal, my present to myself is... ANOTHER PHOTO SHOOT! :)

Here are a few shots from our e-session!

Later!

Week 1: Courtney

Hey! It's Courtney-- my first post on this cute little bloggy that we have setup for your enjoyment and encouragement and for Lauren and I to vent our frustrations and celebrate our accomplishments over the next 5-6 months.

Here is a little about me: I've struggled with my weight my entire life and I have been up and down the scale in the past year. I can say now, I've topped the scales. Last spring I lost 18 pounds in the Biggest Loser Competition here at MCHS. I thought then that was the beginning of the end. Apparently it wasn't. I got engaged soon after the competition and here came all of the celebrations. Now, I'm getting married in 5 months and I've gained 20 pounds since I picked up my wedding dress last October. I've lost all will power and al of the celebrations that have come along with the engagement has gotten the best of me. I HAVE to get my butt in gear. I can't look frumpy and fat in my wedding pictures, I paid too much for them. I HAVE to get into the best shape and healties I have been in. Well, I can't say the best shape and healthiest I have EVER been, because that is a big lie. I was very athletic growing up. I played softball and I danced since the age of 4. I never was the smallest girl out there, but I was always okay with that because I could keep up with the smallest ones out there. Now, I can't keep up as much as I push my self... and I HATE IT! I realize now that if I don't get it off, I'm going to have to take extreme measures to get it off later in life.

My Vow: TO EXERCISE MY BUTT OFF!! I'm a very physical person and not very motiviated by diets. I know it's a HUGE part of the "weight loss formula," but for right now, I just want to focus on getting more physical. I know that once I get the physical activity part down, I'll get the nutrition part down. I hate going to the gym feeling sick because I just ate a cheesburger on my way there. I'll get it down pat, I just have to take it slowly.

My numbers: This is a HUGE deal for me to publicly post all of my numbers to the world.

AS OF 5/4/2011:

Weight: 275.6

Chest/Bust: 51.5 inches

Waist: 47 inches
Hips: 57.5 inches

Right Arm: 16 inches
Left Arm: 16 inches

Right Thigh: 27 inches (that is ham for a week)

Left Thigh: 26 inches

I PROMISE TO NEVER SEE THOSE NUMBERS... EVER.. AGAIN!

This picture of me in high school will be my driving force for this journey over the next 6 months. I obviously want to look a little bit better than this, but this will be my goal.

This week's exercise plan:

Tuesday & Thursday: Body Pump @ 12:15

Wed & Friday: Cardio on my own