Weight Loss Update

Well, I've been at this since mid Aug.  It's now Nov.2, 2010, and I am down 27lbs.  A few weeks ago, I had an amazing week that I somehow lost like 4 or 5 lbs. Since then, I've been struggling.  I'm only dropping a pound or so per week. Still, I guess 27lbs isn't bad, considering all the other factors that I'm fighting against.  I am still very fatigued.  I thought the thyroid meds were supposed to help with that!  Also, I'm taking more adrenal support and cortisol(my levels were very very low.)  That doesn't seem to be helping either.  The only thing I can figure is that because my doctor lowered my testosterone dose, now down to 8mg(.04cc)/week....it's effecting my energy levels. When he gets back from his honeymoon in Bora Bora, I need to discuss this with him again.  All of this is so frustrating!!  I was feeling very good...back to my old self, and now I'm always exhausted again. 
Anyway, I wanted to update you on my weight loss/transformation progress.   I shall return in a week or so with another update!!
Wait!!!!  I have a few friends who are also fighting hypothyroidism and are keeping up with my blog.  I know they are just as frustrated as I am.  We have to stick together, ladies and encourage each other!!!  Rochelle, I see you plugging away in the gym every day. Jeanne, I see you there from time to time(she's always there too, we just go at different times.)  I just want to say.."GOOD JOB, GIRLS!! You're doing awesome!  Together, we will be victorious!!!" Keep up with the hard work and determination.  We cannot let this beat us!!!

Weekend

This should be a fun weekend!!  My boys will be at their dad's house for the weekend, and their last football game is tomorrow.  I'm going for sushi with my dad and hubby today...it's my weekly cheat meal.  Since I've somehow dropped 4 lbs this week, a cheat meal is definitely in order!!  Tonight, the guys are going to some car show or something, which means I'll have some "me time!"  Sunday morning, all of the neighbors on our street are having a breakfast outside. We are each bringing something different. So, there will be plenty of food to go around!!  I' enjoying having my daddy here for a few days.  I wish he would just move here!!  For now, I'm off to the gym!!!!  Adios!

Turks & Caicos Vacation

I guess I should begin ... at the beginning.  Last year, when Q and I honeymooned at a Sandals Resort in St. Lucia, we wanted to book a family trip for this year.  They told us and showed us pictures of this beautiful place called the Turks & Caicos Islands. Sandals/Beaches has a resort there!  So, we booked it and didn't even tell the kids until about a week before we left. They were very excited!!!
So, because I kept forgetting to book our flights, we ended up having to fly into JFK, spend the night, and fly out the next morning to the island. We were supposed to stay at the JFK International Hotel, BUT the wonderful taxi driver took us to JFK Inn.  We had to spend $140 for 1 night/ 1 room, and this notel motel was the most disgusting motel I have ever seen.  However, we were very tired, and just wanted to eat something and get some sleep. Well, so much for eating. The only place that delivered there was closed. We open the motel room door, and there is a HUGE hot tub in the middle of the room, surrounded by mirrors. The hot tub, however, was filthy and out of order.  The walls were disgustingly dirty, the ceiling was caving in and brown. Half of the lights were missing. AT LEAST the bathroom was clean. Needless to say, we were all kind of worried about getting unde the covers, and nobody slept much. We couldn't wait to get the heck out of there in the morning. We grabbed breakfast at the airport and were on our way to our destination!
     The boys absolutely loved the resort!  They never stopped smiling, and they must have thanked us a hundred times a day. It's really nice that they are at ages that they can really appreciate things.
     There were 16 restaurants, a water park, a video game place(The Game Garage), a gym, a spa, several pools, bars, water sports, teen night club, adult night club, teen billiard room, and let's not forget the most beautiful beach and water!!!  The water was so clear and blue. It was absolutely beautiful!!!  The water was so clear that we could see the reefs at the bottom when we were up in the airplane! Amazing!
Aside from breakfast and dinner, we hardly saw the kids. They were having a blast!  They made new friends and spent most of their time on the surf simulator, water slides, and hanging out and eating at Bobby Dee's!  Bobby Dee's is a 50's style diner that actually had pretty good food. The kids' favorite thing was the ice cream cones. Between the 2 of them, they had about 40 or so ice cream cones during our 1 week there.  LOL   
Jordan got to go on a 3 hour cruise, saw the other islands, went snorkeling, and the boat even had a slide on the back!  He had fun and got some good pics of him on the ocean floor!
Jared took a DJ class and even got to perform and show off his new skills at the teen night club. We forgot to bring the camera, but he looked so cute up there!  He really enjoyed doing that!
Q and I took a snorkeling trip, but didn't see too much. I got in trouble for swimming too far out, but dang it..I wanted to see some fish!!!!  We also celebrated our anniversary(a few weeks late) with a candle light dinner on the beach. It was beautiful!  We also finally got each other anniversary gifts:)  He got a watch, and I got earrings!!  I call them my Turks & Caicos earrings because(aside from the fact that we bought them there)they are blue diamonds, and they are the color of the water there!
We all got to go to the beach party on Fri night, where there was lots of good food, great entertainment, and a good time had by all!!  We also took the paddle boats/water bikes out for a ride. Those were fun...and a good workout!!
Sat morning was departure day. The kids wanted to stay, but we were kind of ready to get home. We had to be up bright and early to get ourselves ready because they were picking our luggage up at 8am.  We then went to breakfast, booked our next trip, and did a few things on the resort before it was time to leave.  Around 1pm, we took a shuttle to the airport.  Now, their airport is a tiny little place, and it was a mad house!!  We FINALLY got our bags checked and through security. We sat on the floor and waited for our flight to board. However, they kept telling us we would be boarding in 15 min. About 3 hours past the time we were supposed to depart, they tell us that anyone connecting in Charlotte to Phoenix will have to stay in Turks & Caicos another night because we have already missed our connecting flight, and there are no more until morning. On top of that, NASCAR races were in Charlotte; so all hotels were booked. GRR....  We said, NO!  Get us to Charlotte!  We don't care if we have to sleep in the airport for the night!  Anyway, we finally boarded the plane and headed to Charlotte, 3 hours late.
We got to Charlotte, and they told us we are flying to Minneapolis, staying the night, and flying to Phoenix in the morning. We were late, and they were holding the plane for us. There was another family heading back to PHX as well.  We decided after all we went through together, we had to consider each other family. LOL  We made some new friends anyway. We still had to go through customs, get our luggage, recheck our luggage, go through security, and run to the plane that was waiting for us!  Our plane was at gate B1. We ran past gates D and C to gate B, just to find out it was locked, and everyone had to go through gate C. So, we ran back to gate C, and had the absolute worst TSA people at security there. I guess they thought they were on a power trip or something. They were very rude and had attitudes like you would not believe. Anyway, we finally made it through and found our plane. We got to Minneapolis around midnight. We still hadn't eaten since breakfast. We were freezing.  It was like 50* there, and we were in shorts and t shirts.  We then had to wait..get this...15 min, for the shuttle to the hotel. Thank God there was a Denny's attached to the hotel!  At that point, even Denny's sounded good!  We got most of the way done with our meal(the other family was there too,) and Jared stated puking on his plate. he couldn't even stop puking long enough to run to the bathroom.  He just kept throwing up until it was splashing onto other people's food. It was so gross. I finally got him to run to the restroom, where he left puke trails all along the way.  After that, he felt fine!!  

We were able to sleep for MAYBE 2 hours before we had to get up and get back to the airport.  As you can imagine, everyone was exhausted.  Everything went smoothly from there on out...until we landed.  We actually landed 20 min early, but there was still a delayed plane at the gate we had to go to. They said we would have to wait....15 min. LOL  Somehow, we arrived at the gate 20 min late!  Now, we were worried about our luggage.  We spoke to a US Airways employee, he told us where to find our luggage. Thankfully, it arrived at the same time we did on a flight from Charlotte. We did make it home safe and sound!  We are going back next year and taking my mom with us!!  Hopefully, the trip home will go better next year!!
     I almost forgot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Even with all the food that was there, I managed to eat pretty clean most of the time. I did splurge a few times, but we went to the gym almost every day, and we were very active....walking, swimming, water bikes, etc.  I weighed myself this morning, and I managed to lose 1 lb while were gone!  I have officially lost 20 lbs.  It's coming off very slowly, but it's coming off!!!!!

Update Time

So, last week, I fell off the wagon a little bit. I guess I am human afterall. LOL.  I went to The Cheesecake Factory with my hubby on Sunday. I ate a very clean meal, but then decided to share a slice of cheesecake with Q. I actually gained 2lbs from that, and then it took me 4 whole days to get rid of it!!  Was it really worth all that??? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!  We will be going on vacation soon, and I am really going to think twice about everything that goes in my mouth while we are gone!!  I am 19lbs down from where I began. I want to keep the weight falling off, so I will not be a cheater!!  My goal is to be down another 6lbs AT LEAST by the end of Oct!  I will keep you posted!

Weight Loss Update

Woot woot!!!!!!!  I weighed myself this morning, and I'm now down to 165lbs!!!!  Now, that's still more than I weighed when I was a hundred months pregnant with my last baby, BUT it's 17lbs. down from where I started this time!!!  What's even awesomer(good word, eh?!!) is that I haven't even been having any cravings or a desire to cheat!  I'm on a roll, and I'm gonna keep on rollin'!!!  I'm on my way to the gym again!  TTYL, peeps!!!

FACEBOOK

Just in case, you want to find me on Facebook, you can find me at http://www.facebook.com/fitbarbie  
I just found out today that someone else made a Fan Page about me.  There isn't much on it, and there's only 1 picture. No harm is being done, but I did not create the page. What's worse is there are only 2 fans!  hahaha  I don't know which to be more upset over!  Just kidding. Anyway, now you have the link to MY Facebook page. If you want me to add you, please write a little message to me so I know who you are!  Thanks!  OH! BTW, I was down another pound today!! WooHoo!!

Anniversary

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day I married my best friend!!!  I can't believe it's been a year already!!  This is only the beginning. We expect to have at least another 50 anniversaries in our future!  I love you, baby!!

WooHoo!

As of this morning, I am DOWN 13 pounds(so I'm 169lbs now)! My goal is to get down to at least 130lbs(preferably 120-125.) So, only(haha)40-50 more pounds to go! I'm hoping to be at my goal weight by March/spring break so we can take the kids somewhere fun, and I will be totally comfortable showing off my bikini ready bod!!! I'm keeping my toes crossed anyway! So, it's time again to hit the gym. Let's see what fun things I can come up with today to do on the treadmill!! LOL. See ya!!

11 lbs Down....5 Weeks In

Time for an update!! I've been doing this detox diet for almost 5 full weeks now, and I'd love to tell you that I've dropped about 20 pounds! Unfortunately, that isn't so:( I have dropped 11 lbs though. The weight is falling off MUCH slower than I'm used to, but at least it IS coming off. I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle, but I will prevail!! Since I've gotten my fat ass back in the gym, I'm finding that I'm getting more and more tired. Today, I felt like I couldn't even drag myself out of bed...after sleeping for over 12 hours!! This is exactly how I felt before I started my thyroid meds. GRRRRR.

Anyway, my doc did another blood draw so we can see where all my thyroid, adrenals, hormones, etc levels are at now. I'm pretty sure he's gonna have to increase my thyroid meds. I will know for sure in a few weeks. It's like a battle because I need to workout to drop even a tiny bit of weight, but working out seems to be affecting my thyroid and/or adrenal function again. Hopefully, this will be resolved very soon. Until then, I will keep doing what I'm doing!

On the bright side, we had a birthday party for my son today at Jumpstreet, which is a place that is full of trampolines! I was able to jump a little!! I didn't do any flips or anything crazy, but I did jump a little bit. It did start to bother my knees, which is when I stopped. I know it wasn't much, but a few months ago, I would not have been able to jump at all with my knees the way they were. So, at least they are starting to get better. A small victory is still a victory!!!! BTW, I even stuck to my diet, except for a few bites of his giant cookie:) Also, I cannot believe my baby is 10 yrs old already! Time sure flies!!! Happy birthday, Jared!!!!

Progress

Ok, so...after my last competition in March of '09, I have been trying to overcome some major hurdles. I have been really trying to get my thyroid, adrenals, metabolism, and hormones functioning and balanced again. I also injured my knees while tumbling last year. I am still trying to get my knees totally healed. Not being able to work out (and not eating properly...they do go hand in hand), along with screwed up hormones, no adrenal function and a thyroid that was very hypo, my body weight sky rocketed up to a whopping 182lbs....which is EXTREMELY heavy for me! I never weighed that much even when I was ready to pop out my babies!! I have had to buy clothes in the size 14-18 range, which in my wildest imagination would have never been in those sizes. As you can imagine, this whole thing has effected my mood, my self-esteem, my body image. I feel like a disgusting fat cow. It's mentally very difficult to go from being at 7% body fat ll the way up to 31%!!!
In the mean time, we also made the move back to AZ, which is "home" to us!! We are super happy to be back!! I have been seeing a naturopthic doctor and my favorite chiropractor since we've been back, and I am finally making progress!! I am now able to do light cardio, and some very light weight training! Now, if you know me at all, you know taking things light and easy in the gym TOTALLY goes against my grain! I do not like it at all! However, just being there and doing SOMETHING is progress!! I am back to a regular gym routine, light legs, cardio, abs, and stretching!! My flexibility is coming back very quickly!! I started on the treadmill, barely poking along at 2.5mph, just to see how my back and knees were going to react. They have been fine, and I'm gradually picking up the pace!! Today, I walked at 3.0mph!!!
My naturopathic doctor has also put me on a detox diet, which is extremely similar to a pre-contest diet, along with 2 detox shakes per day. Although the weight is not coming off as quickly as I'd like, it IS starting to come off! As of yesterday, I have dropped 7lbs!
Even though I have a LONG journey ahead of me, I am already starting to feel alive again! It's a good feeling!!!
I am going to TRY to post my progress on here regularly. Be on the look out for more updates soon!!

Link to Pics

http://http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=131395&id=684543835


Enjoy! We sure did!!

Honeymoon in St. Lucia

Q and I just returned from our honeymoon in St. Lucia last night. We loved St. Lucia so much that neither one of us wanted to leave there!! That island is absolutely beautiful! We had so much fun, did so many things, made new friends, and totally fell in love with the people there! It was hard to get used to driving on the left side of the road...and the crazy driving there! We thought we were going to die at least 3 times on our way from the airport to the resort! The only speed limit sign we saw was a hand painted sign that simply said, "Slow Down." hahaha We did survive though!! We stayed in an awesome rondoval casita, complete with outdoor shower, hot tub, pool with waterfall, hamock, fully stocked bar, beautiful room, huge tub, great shower, big flat screen tv....the works! We even had a butler(actually 2...1 on each shift.) We enjoyed a jeep safari tour around the island and through the rainforest, went whale/dolphin watching, a heliocopter ride/mini tour, and shopping! We ate at several different places within our resort, in another resort, and in town once! We also had a candel light dinner on the beach! We had plenty of time to relax on the beach, at the pool, and in our room. One night they had a big bbq. There was lots of yummy food, performers, music, and limbo...which of course I participated in!! On Christmas Day, we relaxed at the spa:) Q and I had a couples massage. Then Q had a man facial, and I did a moroccan mud wrap:) It was wonderful!!!!

We left there with a new appreciation for life and everything that we have! The people there have so little. Many don't even have running water in their homes. Yet everyone there is so happy! They are always smiling and making others smile! They are just high on life there! We have decided to be more like them. Here, we have absolutely NO reason to be discontent or unhappy....EVER! They have a motto over there: "No pressure, no problem!" We are going to live by that motto from now on as best as we can! We seriously do not need to stress over so many unimportant things in life! Those people are living proof that true happiness does not come from earthly possessions. It truely does come from within!!

We both love that place so much that we are most definitely going to visit there again..and again..and again, whenever we can!! We may even adopt a child from St. Lucia!

Ok, so, anyway, I posted lots of pics on Facebook! Enjoy!

Radio Interview

A few weeks ago, I was asked by my friend, Diana Stanbeck(IFBB Pro) to be a guest on her radio show...DiFit Radio! Of course, I said I'd be happy to let her interview me! So anyway, she interviewed me this evening, and already has it posted on her website! Log on to www.DianaStanback.net and have a listen!!!

I'm a Fatty

So, in March when I competed, I was 106lbs. Eight months later, I am now nearly 160lbs. My clothes don't fit, and I hate what I see in the mirror. I have been battling hypothyroidism, fatigue, mild depression, and an injured knee which prevents me from training. It totally sucks! I am now working with a naturopath to get to the bottom of these issues, as well as an orthopedic doctor to treat my knee. I am also back on an "off-season" diet, trying to get my eating back on track. Even though I am totally digusted with my body, my husband has been extremely supportive and seems to love my extra "fluff." I am really hoping to get this knee of mine healthy again so I can do what I need to do in the gym! I am also hoping that being back on a good meal plan will help get rid of some of my fluff. For now, there's just more of me to love, but hopefully soon, there will be less of me!!!

Wedded Bliss

Our wedding, on Sept. 26, 2009, was beautiful!!! We had about 25 people show up, which is pretty awesome considering we were in Vegas!!! We stayed at Caesars's Palace and were married at the Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel! Aside from the minister being an idiot, everything went off without a hitch!!! We will be going on our honeymoon to St. Lucia in a few weeks, during Christmas time! We are very excited about that!! When we return, we will be discussing some very important decisions about our life! We are totally loving being married! Q has been the best husband in the world; I am really blessed to have him! He is also a top notch dad to my boys! They love him and respect him! My older son even came to me and said he wants to call him "Dad!" He is a strong rolemodel for them, and is teaching them how to be young men!

Anyway, I want to share a few pics from our wedding before I go!

Wedding

Our wedding is in exactly 2 weeks!!!!!! We are very excited!! It's going to be Saturday, Sept. 26 @ 11am @ the Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel!
607 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Las Vegas, NV 89101
My mom and I went today to get our dresses fitted, but the seamstress was out of town for her birthday. So, we have an appointment to go again on Monday!! Q will pick up his altered suit the same week we leave for Vegas! I still don't know who's gonna walk me down the aisle to give me away!! I was thinking my mom should do it, but Q said it should be a man. My grandpa can't...he says we can't both fit on his motorized scooter. LOL I could ask my brother or my uncle. I also thought I could have Mandi and Kelly(2 of my best friends) do it! Neither one of them are men either! haha Who knows??!!! Maybe I'll just walk myself??!!
Anyway, we are excited to see everyone!! We are blessed to have family and friends who will be there to share in our joy on our wedding day!!

Well, the "Big Day" is getting closer and closer!!! Q and I are getting married in 17 days!! We are both REALLY excited!! He has been getting very "mushy" and sentimental lately...it's pretty cute and just makes me love him even more!! I am very blessed and happy to be marrying such an awesome man!! I'll be MRS. Thomas before ya know it!!!!

Contest Pix!

See?? I told you I'd be back soon!! I thought I should post up a few pics from my competition,,,in March. First place, baby!!!

Contest Pix!

See?? I told you I'd be back soon!! I thought I should post up a few pics from my competition,,,in March. First place, baby!!!

Catch-Up

Wow!! I didn't realize it has been so long since I updated my blog!! Thanks, Marcin for pointing it out to me! I thought I had at least posted up something after my competition! I do apologize!!

First of all, I did quite well at my competition in March! I lost 37lbs, and my bodyfat was down to about 7%, which was the leanest I have ever been!! I brought home a first place trophy, too!!!!! There were a few glitches, though. My tan was the first issue! I kept sweating it off! i was a streaky mess! Then I brushed my teeth, and dribbled toothpaste somehow down my leg. I was off to see Mary AGAIN to fix my tan. Then I needed to take my pills, and dropped the water bottle..on my tan ofcourse!! I had to run down to the tanning room about 4 or 5 times! I was definitely their problem child!

At pre-judging, I was the first competitor on the stage. It was just my luck that the music dude didn't realie that he had the speed turned way down! So, I REALLY struggled through my routine, trying to do everything much slower than usual and adlibbing several times. It SUCKED!!!

Regardless, I took 1st place. So, my plan now is to compete next year at Jr. Nationals, along with my fiance(he'll be my husband before then though!)

Right now, I'm back on the diet and cardio wagon due to the fact that I've put all my weight, plus some back on, and I'm getting married in September!! I want to still fit into the weding dress that I bought:)

I'm looking forward to my kids starting back to scholl in 2 weeks! WooHoo!!!

Someone asked me what my hair is like now bc it's so different in all my pics. WELL, I am attempting to grow it long again. So, it's in one of those ugly in-between stages. It looks horrible 99% of the time! I'm hating it big time! It's also a reddish color right now. I celebrated my bday last week, and we took a few pics. I'll post one up so u can see fat me with bad hair! LOL

Q is waiting on me to finish blogging so we can hit the gym together. So, bye for now. I'll be back soon...promise!