100 gone!

Fifteen years ago I gave birth to twins who were so early, that I had no idea what would become of them, and what my life would be. Would they be healthy? Would they live? Could I handle whatever challenges we might face? I turned to M&M's. Literally. I went through bags of them the first year of my cute little babies life.My family can tell you that M&M's were always around. When they came home from the hospital 3 months later, my sister would come over every day to watch them so I could workout. I worked out, and gained almost 100 lbs. Who knew you couldn't eat bags full of chocolate, and not gain weight just because you were working out?!

During the next 8 or 9 years, between the normal stresses of life, and having another baby, my weight stayed about the same. I would lose 20 pounds, but fall back into old habbits. The one thing I did do right, was that I always worked out pretty consistently.

When I was about 30, I fell on a slippery tile floor and broke my back. I ended up having surgery, and gained another 50 pounds on top of the 100! Yikes! I still tried to walk as much as I could, but it is really hard when you get big.

Well now I can say that I am getting my health back! Within a couple years after back surgery, I lost some weight, but kind of stalled out, which brings us to last summer. I gave up my treats, started working harder in my workouts and since last summer, I have lost 57 pounds, BUT....from my highest weight after back surgery, I have now lost 100 pounds!!! Life is good, and I have a wonderful husband and 3 healthy kids too(One towers over me!). We are all on this journey of life together, and I am thankful for their support. We all need it!

This week I have started calorie counting again. I hate it, but it works. If you want to join me, come find me at My Fitness Pal. I am shanse. I love friends!

Hey everyone! We are still here!

Wow. It is March first today. This year is flying by! Since Christmas, I am down 2 pounds. Two little, tiny pounds. And I had to work for those pounds. Ok this week I had to work for those pounds! You see, Erin and I have been going. We have been missing from this blog, but we have been keeping up our workouts and trying to lose. Nothing. We switched up our workouts, and inches were coming off but pounds? NOTHING! Then we got an idea. Maybe food matters! Haha, just kidding, we know it does. Working out comes naturally for me. I love it. I love the way I feel, and I love going to the gym with Erin most of the time. Counting calories. I Hate it. I would rather do anything than count calories, but it works darn it! Anyways, this week, we decided to clean up our eating a lot. No chips/fried foods for 2 weeks. No late night snacking, get our water in, and no treats(I have already been doing that for 8 months!). After two weeks, we are buying each other a prize!!! Erin is buying me some new workout shoes, and I am buying her whatever she ends up choosing. It will be fun, and I still get to avoid calorie counting for a few more weeks! I have to mix things up constantly so I don't get bored. :) So I guess today, I am just feeling thankful that we are 8 months in to this weight loss, and although it hasn't been easy, we have NEVER GIVEN UP, and we are going to so this!  We want to hear form YOU! How have your weight loss goals been going this new year?

p.s. Our March pictures will be up in the next week! We like doing the every two months pics better!

p.p.s. How did everyone do on the KSL 10 pound challenge??? Cami and Courtney were the only ones who entered Our Giveaway, so you both win!!! Send me a message with your address, and your prize will be on its way!

Thanks everyone for your motivation and support! We love it when you stop and tell us you love what we are doing, or when friends of friends tell us you read our blog! We are having so much fun doing this together!

A few keys that have worked for me

I've been asked several times what I'm doing to lose weight, and I usually just say, "Exercising and eating better."  That's true, but there are a few keys that when I'm doing them I consistently lose weight and feel really good.  I think for the next week I'm going to try to do a post a day on some of those things.  Now don't think you need to try to add all these things into your life in one day.  Just pick one thing and start doing that for an entire week, then add another thing for a whole week...and so on.  Otherwise, if you're anything like me, it's too much to change all at once and you won't do any of them.

The first thing on my list is drinking water.  I know this may sound stupid, but it makes such a difference.  When I'm focused on getting in my water I'm way more aware of what and how much I'm eating.  So, how much to drink???  I've always heard 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day, but that doesn't factor in weight or amount of activity.  This is a website where you can answer a few questions and it will let you know how much you really need to drink.  With my size and exercise I'm supposed to drink 102-127 ounces.  Now believe me, I don't get that in every day, but I usually get between 64 and 100 ounces.

I really like adding the juice of a whole fresh lemon to my water and a packet of Great Value Vitamin Enhanced Kiwi Strawberry. It's a natural flavor instead of like candy flavoring. I know some of you don't like artificial sweeteners, but don't freak out...I have 1 pack a day mixed in with 32 oz and it makes my water taste really good!

Check back tomorrow for this yummy recipe.

So Beautiful

I love this!  It's so true...no matter where you're at in life you can decide you're beautiful and act like it!  

What else weighs 35 pounds?

It's that time again...Shanna and I have both reached our 35 pound goal...HOORAY! We are pretty excited!  So I thought I'd list a few things that weigh 35 pounds:

1- 140 sticks of butter...GROSS!  That equals the 35 packages of butter up above.
2- Seven 5 pound bags of potatoes.
3- About 6 gallons of gas.
4- My nearly 3 year old son.
5- A mid-sized microwave.
6- Seven 6 packs of soda.


I'm pretty proud of us; we've had our ups and downs this last month, but overall we're making progress!
What else weighs 35 pounds???

Get started

I really believe this.  I've got 10 more pounds to reach my halfway mark, of 42.5 pounds, on my fitness journey.  I'd really like to do this by the end of December.  I'm super excited and kind of nervous.  I know that sounds weird, but I tend to be a self saboteur.  I reach certain goals, then start freaking myself out, over thinking things, then backsliding quite a ways.  I have done a lot better in the last 4 months, but still...it's a little nerve wracking.  Ultimately though, no matter what goal you're trying to reach, the ONLY way to make progress is just to get started.  Now 3 1/2 months later I can see the progress I've made and I'm SOOOOOO glad I got started when I did.  So, if your reading this thinking, "Man, I wish I could get started,"...well, duh, just start!  Even if you just watch what you eat for one meal, that's starting...or go for a walk, or write down what you ate that day....just start!  I promise in a month you'll be glad you did! ;)

Keeping it REAL...no really!

Pinterest is an awesome website...but when it comes to realistic workout pictures and poses it's full of crap!  Take this pretty girl with a big smile, makeup and manicured nails.  Then take us:

Shanna was watching me do weights and came up with the idea of taking pictures of us keeping it real.  Apparently my idiocy is really funny to her!

But then I came upon this little gem of her!

 I was trying so hard to focus and not notice that she was snapping pictures of me...but I couldn't stop laughing.  This really is pretty realistic though, we usually have a pretty good time together.

 So focused. 

 Oh the pain!

 Counting and trying not to cry & laugh at the same time. Stupid arm press machine.

 So if you are worried that if you go to the gym you won't look like one of the millions of pictures you've seen of a model working out in skimpy clothes, pretty hair and flawless makeup...don't worry you're not alone!  We sweat hard and make lots of idiotic faces...but we are also reaching our goals!

They Fit!!!

I Never Said They Weren't Tight!

Oh, and I may have my hands strategically put over the ever-so-slight muffin top. ;) Yes, you can see every little bulge in my legs, and it ain't pretty, BUT...I can get them on!

Do you ever buy yourself clothes hoping they will fit in the future? I rarely do, but once in a while if I  am feeling motivated I will. I bought these green gems last year around Christmas, and I am going to be in them around Christmas this year! 

In other news, my September was completely crazy. My birthday, my anniversary, my little girl's birthday, and getting ready for her baptism which was this last Saturday, and completely wonderful! I am happy to say I lost 5 lbs in September which put me at a 4 month total of 25 lbs!!! I am good with that. Now I am at 28 lbs lost and  ready to put in more work! My goal is to be at 50 lbs lost by January 1st!  What goals do all of you have??? I want some comments people! I love them! I am so happy to be on this journey. It is so great to have so much support from everyone, and I know Erin and I are happy to support any of you who are on, or ready to go on this journey with us!

Oh, and just a side note:  How many pictures do you think I had to take before I could post? It wasn't only one!  :/

He can kiss my {soon to be tiny} hiney!!!

From October 2012 until now, I've been learning so much, not just about fitness...it's been the year of self discovery and it also seems like about life in general.  I was kind of thrown into the self discovery process, and I'm so glad I was!  I thought I'd write about a few of the things that I've learned.  Satan is sneaky!  This is quite obvious...but I'll tell you why I say that.  No matter what your dealing with or struggling with in your life...if you look at the root of what it is your struggling with there's usually a pattern.  We all have weaknesses...and they are usually most evident and hardest to control when we're alone. {Obviously he knows we are weaker without support, or even just too embarrassed to do whatever we do with someone else around us.} Then, after we succumb to temptation, we feel like crap and let him beat us up! For me it's eating junk.  I discovered that I really love to have my little snack when all my kids and husband are asleep.  I got to have some much needed alone time and I'd use my little crutch of food to give me comfort from an exhausting day.  Think about what it is that your struggling with and see if you can see any sort of pattern to your temptation. 

The next thing I realized is that Satan wants us to continue to deal with these struggles on our own because by ourselves we are weak.  He can torture us and make us feel like crap...so of course he doesn't want us to talk about it and work through our problems!  I've been recognizing his handy work in my life in many areas, but specifically with getting fit, I've found having Shanna as a workout buddy and someone I can complain too and talk about what I'm struggling with has been a huge help.  I also have a pretty awesome husband who is always willing to help me work through things.  But most importantly my biggest supporter and greatest strength comes from my Heavenly Father.  If I'm having a rough day I can ask Him for help and believe me, help always comes!

I really love this saying and this picture.  It's exactly how I feel right now.  Weight loss and getting fit can be really embarrassing.  It's embarrassing to me that I let myself get out of control and forget to take care of my body.  That I could eat an entire bag of__________{insert choice junk food here}in one sitting!  That I love clothes and looking cute and that I was squeezing myself into my too tight stuff.  But I've learned how to overcome being embarrassed...do you want to know the secret?  Taking action, no matter how small, makes you feel empowered so you can make your new ending!  I feel strong and beautiful and amazing.  Even though there are still temptations and guilt..and a long way to go to get to my goals, I know that with my Heavenly Father I have the strength to knock Satan on his butt and he can just kiss mine as I'm jogging past him!

Speaking of jogging...I've started doing the couch to 5k and I'm sore this morning!  But this has been my mantra all week!

I'm pretty proud of myself!  I've always wanted to be a "runner," with all the coolness that comes from it....those of you who are runners and are fit, you may not know that those of us who are not, think you are cool and secretly wish we could do it too!  Plus.....drum roll please...I AM A THIRD OF THE WAY TO MY GOAL!  I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS!!!!!  And I'm just getting started.  It's really exciting to be feeling so strong.  

So anyways, I hope this helps someone in some tiny way.  Seriously look at what's holding you back and see if Satan has any part in it.  The good new is that if he is...you can be stronger than him!!!

Are you fast, cheap, easy and fake?

After a kind of crappy...delicious...eating weekend, I saw this picture this morning and had a case of the guilt trip!  Curses!!!  Oh well, back to the gym and my normal routine today.

Exactly one month later pictures

All righty then...last month we posted our first pictures and we've decided to take monthly pictures of ourselves to show our progress on this journey...I gotta say that I'm a little surprised by our progress.  I think Shanna has lost 10 pounds since the first pictures, totalling 20!  Look how awesome she is doing!!!

 I've lost 7 pounds.  Totalling at 23 pounds.

Can't wait to see what next months results will be!!!

Cycle

Thought I'd post this today.  I love it, and it's sooooo true!

Huge milestone

Alright, I am super excited because I hit my 20 pound mark today!!!  I was getting pretty frustrated because I was working out hard, and eating a lot better and not eating at night at all and I just wasn't seeing the results I wanted.  I have been feeling so much better, and I can see a difference in my body, but still not showing on the scales.  That's when I knew I had to track my food better.  Stupid food!  I hate that I have to write down everything I put into my mouth, but apparently that's the only way this is going to work for me.  So anywho, today is a big day....20 pounds down.

Here's my list of 20 things that weigh 20 pounds:


1. A puppy
2. A 1 year old 
3. KitchenAid Mixer
4. Car Tire
5. Medium sized bag of dog food
6. Two bags of sugar
7. My purse packed full of everything for my kiddos
8. 2 gallons of milk
9. 80 sticks of butter  {Seriously gross!!!}
10. 4 large Rainbow Trout
11. A big bag of ice
12. A propane tank
13. Karaoke machine
14. Thanksgiving turkey
15. Dining chair
16. A pug dog
17. 2 medium bowling balls

18. 2 cats or one really large one!
19. A Racoon
20. All the fat I just lost!!!


That's pretty gross and awesome all in one!  So here's to being 20 pounds lighter and being diligent about writing all my stupid food down!!!

Epiphany!

DON"T FORGET TO ENTER OUR DRAWING FOR A JAMBA JUICE GIFT CARD (WE WILL HAVE TWO WINNERS)!  IT ENDS TODAY!!!

I think I've had a major breakthrough today.  This morning I decided I wanted to try writing down what I was going to eat and what exercise I was going to do at the gym instead of writing stuff down after I'd exercised and eaten throughout the day.  So I got on My fitness pal and logged it all in.  Then I had breakfast, then went to the gym.  It's amazing how much easier it was to meet my goal when I knew that if I didn't I'd have to delete those sit ups I'd already said I'd do!  The same went for eating.  After running errands I didn't have to hem and haw over what I was going to eat, I already knew.  I realize that some of you probably think I'm dumb that I'm just now figuring this out...but I am not a plan meals in advance kind of girl.  I don't make super detailed meal plans for the week for my family, or like to be tied down to something to eat on Monday, when on Friday it may not sound good anymore.  But I can definitely start my day off with a little list of things to eat and what exercise I'm going to get done for the day.    CHALLENGE:  If you don't already do this, give it a try and see if it helps you at all.  Don't beat yourself up if you stray from the plan during the day, but make sure you change your list so you stay accountable!

Our 1st Before Pictures and a GIVEAWAY!!!

The Before Pictures!!! We should have done them a month ago, but better late than never! After you see our pics, hop on over to My Fitness Pal, and add us as friends: mrserinjohnson and shanse. If you aren't already a member of this website, it's a free site that's a lot like the Weight Watchers.  You can keep track all of your eating with their huge database of food, also your exercising can be tracked.  It's awesome!  After you do that, comment over here for your chance to win a gift card to Jamba Juice! We are giving away 2 of them.  Enter our giveaway by Tuesday, August 13, at 5:00 pm.  We will announce our winners on Wednesday!

Shanna:
     This is definitely not fun seeing pictures of myself this way. It is what it is though, and I am determined to lose the belly(which sadly is NOT a leftover from having my twins!)and become toned and have MORE energy!!!

Erin:
    Wow, if you want some good motivation, take photos of yourself from each angle and decide if there's anything you want to work on.  My goal is to lose weight in general, and work on my leftover rolls from my twins.

Enough said!

And this is why I'm forcing my butt to the gym this morning!!!

I need Motivation

{A quick little story for how I'm feeling this week!}

Ah, what a day. 

You picked up the brand new car you’ve been wanting forever. You drove it out of the lot, and now you’re heading to the mountains for a camping trip with some friends.  All the while, you’re inhaling that new-car smell.  Go you!

As you’re driving along the back roads, you notice something a little strange. The car is leaning a bit. Then it’s making an odd sound. You pull over.  You stop the car. You get out.

Damn. A flat tire! On your brand new shiny car! How the heck did THAT happen?

What do you do?

Well, it is YOU after all.  So you do the only logical thing.

You say, “Screw it.” You reach into your backpack, get out your camping knife – and slash the other three tires.

Hey, why even bother if they’re not all working?

——–

“That’s totally over the top! I would never do that to my car!”

Yeah?

Well, would you do it to your goals?

Would you do it to your day?

I’m betting you would, you have, and you do.

Okay guys, this is so me this week!  I've done some of my naughty habits this week, eating at night, too much junk and not thinking about why I'm eating...having your cycle will do that to you...and I've only made it to the gym once...YUCK!  I hate when I do this.  I get going and I'm doing awesome and I'm feeling super motivated, then I start to sabotage myself, I stop making good choices and I have to recommit!  What are some of the things you do to pull yourself out of a funk?  Any tips???  I need all the help I can get today.

Don't we look HOT!!!

Can you see the sweat??! We worked hard today! I would say doing the elliptical for an hour is hard. If you don't agree, don't judge! We are going to start adding in weights again since we haven't done weights in probably 6 weeks. That is where i feel like I dont know enough. I can go and go on an elliptical, but I don't know much about lifting weights. I want to feel stronger, but for now, I am not sure if I will be able to walk tomorrow! :-) I love how good I feel right now though!