Hi, I am Laurel and I am a 24 year old female from a very small town in Pennsylvania. I am 5'7 and weigh 160.6 pounds. I am not very happy with that, obviously or I would not be here. This fall, I lost a lot of weight, just to put it back on after deciding to have fun and a hospital stay. Anyhow, I know I can do it, I have done it before. I just NEED to stick to it, this time.

Right now, I am doing weight watchers and exercising. I started weight watchers on Feb 27 and am down 5.6 lbs. So I am happy about that. I am trying to exercise at least 5 days a week. I need to get back into the shape I was in, in the fall. I would exercise 6 days a week and go for many walks. Winter and apathy have prevented me from walking much. I am, also, thinking about martial arts. That might help me meet friends and mix up my routine a bit. I get bored easily. I just got a puppy, so I should be walking a lot more, soon. He is not liking the cold too much right now.

OK, so my goals are:

Short term: Fit back into my size 9s. I miss those jeans. I am hoping by mid April.

Long term: 135 lbs. That is roughly 25 lbs. If I can lose 2 lbs a week and stay on goal, hopefully I can do that by the beginning of June.

Anyhow, I am in need of motivation. It sucks doing diets alone. My friends think I am already skinny enough. That is frustrating. I want to be healthy and I want to attract males. Ha! So if you have any advice or are looking for a friend too, let me know.

Good Luck,
Laurel

March 14, 2008

I made it to Curves today. That would be work out 4, of the week. I was still sore when I woke up, but felt so much better after the work out. Now I know a bit more of my limits, again. I am still afraid to exercise a lot, since my cyst ruptured during workouts. I know, that was Navy beating but still. I tend to beat myself now and then. Next week, I am definitely starting karate. It is something I have been wanting forever. Maybe I will meet people.

A positive note: my jeans are feeling a bit looser. Yay! I know I can do this. I did this, not too long ago. I need to forgive myself for what happened and just move on and become a stronger person.

My diet is still going well. I know I am not going to lose the weight over night. Should I just stick to my weekly weigh ins? Will it be easier on me? I don't know why I need to look everyday.... Does it make me feel better? I don't know... These are things I will figure out in the near future...

Hi! I am unsure of what a healthy weight would be for someone of your height. I trust you have already checked that out, as well as what kind of BMI you will have at the weight you are striving for.

I am on Weight Watchers, too! Such a great programme. Congratulations on your loss so far!

Best wishes on your journey,
ABBA

Thanks for the encouragement! I really do like weight watchers. It is so easy and so un-diet like. It really looks like the program is working for you, that gives me hope. How long have you been doing it?

Anyhow, good luck on reaching your final goal!

Thanks Again,
Laurel

March 15, 2008

Today, I feel accomplished. I did not wake up early and go to curves. I did not want to drive an extra hour today just to work out, when I can at home. Plus, I went there three times, this week. So, it is not like I am slacking. Gas prices are too horrendous, I am sure everyone understands that.

O.K. Back to me feeling accomplished today. I did my ultimate fat burn work out and it kicked my ass, again. I love it. Well, hate it until it is over. I am sore, but not too sore. Then I took both dogs for a walk. So exercising is great today. Hopefully, tomorrow I can do some more. I really regret not buying Dance Dance Revolution, yesterday. Maybe next week. I guess I should not take too much upon my plate right now.

Apart from the exercising, I have been eating healthy and logging all of my food for three weeks now. Usually I plan my days the night before and leave a few points just in case. Tonight, I am making one of my favorite recipes, Citrus Garlic pork Loin. So yummy and healthy. It is marinading right now. I am going to have fresh green beans with it. I am so glad I love vegetables. This would be hard if I did not. There are so many people at the meetings that hate veggies. I could not live without my fruits and veggies.

So yeah, I am having a good day and am happy. Whoo. I love endorphins.

March 17, 2008

Today, I went to Curves and weighed myself. Apparently, I am down 8 pounds since starting there on the 3rd. So I am stoked. I hope the rest of it comes off soon. I know, I know, be realistic. But all of the sudden, twenty-five lbs does not seem too bad. Hell, I will be happy (not entirely) in fifteen pounds. Anyhow, they are having a Biggest Loser contest there. I hope I win. I need some positive things, in my life. Things are kind of a mess, right now.

I went to my weight watchers weigh-in today. I did not stay for the meeting. I just was getting aggravated. The receptionists there anger me. This one, decided to do the weight loss math in her head and got it wrong. And did not give me a book again! Just aggravating.

Anyhow, I hope I can continue staying on track. I would like to like myself, someday.

March 18, 2008

Today, I feel accomplished. I have been eating well, which has not been a problem for a few weeks. But I went to Curves and my first Karate class. I loved the Karate class. It was so much fun! I wish I had signed up years ago. I got to work with one of the instructors today and in sparring (where I just got to punch and kick him) I got a good kick past him. I had him crouch in pain. I felt horrible, but accomplished. Unfortunately, I went on Adult/Jr night and no adults went. So when we were just practicing punches and kicks I got to punch a 12 year old. That was hard, I definitely could not give my all then. It just does not feel right hitting a 12 year old. Even with padding and I am not doing damage. But I had fun and definitely had a good sweat going on. So yeah, I am definitely going back.

I am hoping with 2 hours of karate, 4 days of curves (at least), home workouts, and pup walking I will be in shape by summer. I am hyper now, I forgot how hyper I get when I exercise.

So yeah, I feel great today!

March 20, 2008

Today, I went to karate and Curves. I really am liking karate. I learned a take down tonight. It was fun, this time I was not paired with a 12 year old, probably a 15 year old. Haha! I think, next week I will go to the adult classes. Maybe. I don't know if I am ready for that. Plus, I need to see what my schedule is like. I practiced stuff for my first strip tonight. Easy stuff. I am definitely going to keep up on practicing. and I need to find a heavy bag. I am thinking about buying an unfilled one, shipping is cheaper. Finding cloth though would be hard. Maybe. Any suggestions on heavy bags?

Anyhow, I am eating well. I love my fruits and veggies.

I hope next weeks weigh in goes well. At least, I just feel better in general. Really isn't that all that matters?

I love my new heavy bag! I am so glad I did splurge! I was happy that I was able to carry it upstairs and install it by myself. I feel proud. I have a feeling I will be using it a lot. I hope so, at least, gotta get my moneys worth. I think I bruised my foot doing round houses, though. Oh well, it is worth the pain.

Anyhow, been eating well still. In love with sugar free creamcicles. Lots of good fruits and veggies are in my fridge. I plan on taking my grandmothers dog for a walk today. I took my pup for a bit of one, earlier, but it was not much exercise.