I can't believe it has been so long!

Whoops! Didn't realize it has been almost a year since I posted. I also can't believe I didn't do my 1 year post!!!! So here it is. Feb 2014 I had lost a total of 150 lbs!!! I entered the Taislim challenge in May of 2014 and won!!!! 

Instead of taking their trip I decided to go to Vegas with Carmen. We go in feb 2015. Can't wait!!! 

We went to Mexico in Nov 2014 for 9 fabulous nights with Carmen and her family and it was a wonderful trip! Can't even say how much we loved it! Kids had fun and so did the adults:)

Looking forward to booking another trip!

So my weight loss has slowed down. It started in the summer and it hasn't gotten any better. Doesn't seem to matter how well I eat, I just can't lose weight. Very frustrating:(

But that doesn't mean I've given up. We started back at the gym after Mexico and I missed it. 

Well that's it for now. Hopefully it won't be another year until my next post. 

Long time no post...

So it has been a while since I did a blog update but I don't think anyone really noticed either. Haha. Not sure if anyone reads this anymore. 

Christmas 2013 was awesome! Kids really had a wonderful time and my parents were here for a visit so it just made the holidays better. The kids actually started sleeping in! Yay!! It was hard for all of us to get back into the school routine. Katie went back to school with no issues other than having a hard time getting up but poor Kyle was not happy about leaving his Mommy. He's my boy and that's all I'm going to say:). 

I did little work outs while my parents were here but I drank and ate more than I usually do. Ended up gaining a few pounds but 4 days after they left I was down to my low weight again. I got back Into the swing of the gym but I'm not as strict with my food anymore. I have a lot of muscles now and even though I'm not done losing weight yet I also want to enjoy life. 

So the big news for us is that we are planning a SURPRISE trip to Disneyland for the kids next month!!! We are so excited and I'm having a hard time not telling the kids. But I can't wait to record their reactions when we tell them at the airport! It's going to be awesome!!! 

I went for a 5k run today. Best pace yet! 6:13/km!!!!

I guess that is it for now. 

10 month update

So it has been 10 months since I've started working out. I've lost 145lbs. I've kept up with my work outs. Doing about 5-6 a week. I got to run outside a couple weeks ago and I loved it! I wish we had better weather so that I could run outside more often, it's just not the same running inside on a track. Looking forward to spring!!

Anyways, I am feeling strong and healthy and am so happy that I changed my life:)

Happy 10 months!! 

Christmas picture 2013

The kids Chriatmas picture:)

Katie's new look

I cut Katie's hair this morning. She looks so adorable!!!!

Look at me!

Couldn't do this last year!!!

Kyle took these pictures for me. 

A new month

So October has been tough with 2 birthday parties and Halloween plus with family visiting. I don't think I went overboard but I definitely ate worse than I had since I started this journey. I had worked out my usual amount and thankfully still lost 5 lbs but not as much as I'm used to losing. 

So today was day 1 of better and healthier eating. I didn't work out today because I had worked out the past 8 days and my back needed a rest. 

I'm not saying I won't have a couple days of treats but I will be working harder than I had this past month! 

8 months today

So today marked 8 months since I started this journey, 8 months of hardwork, 8 months of dedication and 8 months of support from my family and friends and my friends on Facebook. Not only have they all supported me and encouraged me by saying how great I look and how I am an inspiration to them but by taking the time do say those things. I've been overweight since I was probably 8 years old. I'm 35. My body has taken so much abuse by not being used and treated properly. Yet, it hasn't given up on me...I'm able to run almost 10 Kms, lift weights, do a real push up, etc. I'm so thankful that I started when I did. That 35 is still young enough to change and have your body be able to help you change. 

8 months ago today my life changed and I'm not going back! I'm so much happier now and healthier. I'm setting a great example to my kids that you can achieve things that you never thought you could. That it's never too late. 

This is from a week and a half ago

I'm down 131.2lbs, I'm generally wearing a size large and I feel great! 

So happy 8 months to me and my new body and attitude! 

A friend posted this and it's so true. I didn't realize it but she's so right!

"Holy crap Jill.  You lost a whole person!!  At the same time, you found a new one."

Thank you Sue for this:)

I ran what??!?

Last Tuesday I ran 9.4kms!!! I ran it with my friend Carmen and really enjoyed myself! It's been a long time since I ran with someone and I forgot how great it is to have that person with you and how you keep each other going. Tonight we ran 9.32 Kms. I'm so happy and proud of myself and my body. I can't believe how far I've come in such a short time!! 

Our first run! 

Our 2nd run. Our pace for our last km was 5:22!!! Insane for me. Gotta love a hill at the end.  It is just enough of a slope to get you going but not too fast:)

So my goal for end of next summer was to run 10kms at a pace of 6:30/km. I think I will be hitting that goal in the spring...fingers crossed!!

Some new firsts!

Yesterday I had to exchange a pair of pants that my aunt bought for me a month ago because...they were too big! While I was there I also tried on a super cute jacket and a top in a size LARGE!! Wow! That felt amazing!! I have no idea the last time I wore a size 13 pant or a size large top! 

I also am finally overweight and not obese anymore! Might seem like a weird thing to be proud of but it means a lot to me. I've had a weight problem since I was at least 8 years old. I'm finally taking control of my life and am making healthier choices. I've always tried to make sure my kids ate healthy. I don't want them to have the issues that I have dealt with for so long. I don't want food to be an issue or even that much of a thought process. I want them to just naturally eat healthy and have the occasional treat when they want it, to not even have to think about working out because it just comes to them because they are always active. Seeing me work out and work hard at getting healthy and making good choices will hopefully teach them how live life in a healthy and fun way. 

I'm so happy that I was finally ready to change my life and that I am able to exercise. Working out has made such a HUGE difference in my journey. I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't get out there and sweat as much as I do. 

One-derland!!

I did it!! I hit "one-derland".  My reward

Is this...

Family Photos 2013

I was on Facebook a few days before Auntie Cindy came for a visit in August and happened to see this photographer offering pictures for a great price. Pictures had to be taken that coming weekend. Timing couldn't be more perfect!! So Auntie got to be in some of our pictures and we did some just as a family. Really love the pictures and so happy to have gotten them done throughout my journey. Hope you enjoy them!

My first 5km Race!!!!

On Sunday I completed my first 5km race. It was great! Chris and the kids were there to cheer me on at the end and hearing Katie chant so loudly, Go Mommy Go, was beyond words...AMAZING!!!

I also got a cupcake and a mini manicure afterwards:)

My official time was 32:00 mins!!!

I finished 70th overall and placed 27/49 in my age category:) 

So far that is my fastest time yet! 

Right after the race

Mmmm...yummy cupcake. And yes I did share...some of it;p

I look forward to doing more races and making my time quicker:)

My goal for next year is to run a 10km race and have my pace at 6:30/km or less:)

Look at how far I have come already in a little over 7 months. I went from not doing much to running 5km in 32 mins and being able to do real push ups, mountain climbers, weight lifting:). I've dropped almost 125lbs too! 

Look at my work out buddy!

Katie is such a strong little girl. She has an amazing core strength and strong legs! 

So Proud

I'm so proud of myself and my commitment to a healthier lifestyle! The kids have been in camp since tues for 3 hours a day and I've been making the most of it. I have been working out super hard and often. Yesterday I did 4 great workouts! Burned 1400 calories:). As of today I am the same weight I was when I was 15 and started the Beverly Hills diet. Even though I'm down so much weight I'm not done. I have so many other goals. I can't wait to be able to do a pull up! 

Olivia Rose Ripley

Olivia Rose Ripley

August 2- August 3, 2012. 

I can't believe it has been a year already. Still missing you as much today as I did a year ago. Sweet sleeping baby. So many hugs and kisses for you Sweet Livy. 

We celebrate you and how you have changed our lives. 

Celebrating all things pink and girly

Dianna, Dedhra and I got roses for Olivia and Cindy, her Oma, got butterflies

Your Oma and Auntie Dedhra

Your Mommy

Your cake that your Mommy made you. 

Still at it

Just wanted to update on my progress. I'm down 111lbs:). Stronger than I've ever been before. I'm able to do some exercises without modifications:). I've signed us up to the local rec center and now we can go swimming whenever we want and Chris and I can go to the gym now:). I've started strength training now that I've hit the 100 lbs mark. One of my other goals is to be able to do pull ups. Gotta bulk up my arms to do that! LOL

Still doing my running training program. They are def getting tougher but that's good b/c I like a challenge. Sometimes they are tough though. Haha. 

This is me after two sessions at the gym...wonder how I will look after a month or two...super excited to see!! I do the machines 3 times a week and more when the kids are in the day camp. 

Big News!!

I'm down 100 pounds!!!!! Wow!! Plus I've increased my speed during my runs also!!! Yay!!!

So many changes

So July 2nd marked my 5th month of my lifestyle change:) I was down 92lbs and can run a 5km no problem! So happy with the positive changes I've made in my life:)

Almost done run clinic

I'm almost done my 6 week run clinic. Just one class left:( On Wednesday night we do our fun run. It will be timed. I'm guessing I will do the 5 km run in under 45 minutes. Hope so anyways!! LOL