356

210lbs #BOOM

Finally!
I feel like I've been fighting for this milestone for so long!
Some days I would get so close, but today I finally reached it.

Now on to 205lbs. :)

Also, I'm thinking of becoming Flexitarian.
As of late I have been reading a lot about Vegetarian or Vegan and how these plant based life styles improve not only our health, but also the health of the planet. These books and articles also talk about how some of the meat and dairy industries are following inhumane practices - and trust me, if they're true, it's disturbing. However, a fully vegan life style is not plausible at this moment, but I think I could handle being flexitarian could be possible. This is the concept that you eat vegan or vegetarian most of the time, but still allow yourself to eat meat some of the time. Some people do certain days of the week, however, with my family, I think I will have more success eating vegan for breakfast and lunch and normal at supper.

Any thoughts on veganism, flexitarianism or the food industry? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

-Roxanne

Roxanne Update - The Belt

Hi Everyone.
So - late again. . . . . Maybe you should just assume it's going to be late :)

Here's my weekly update:
My starting date is: March 11, 2013
My weight loss for the week: 2 lbs
My total loss: 7.8 lbs
I have 92.2 lbs left to go to meet this challenge.
Starting weight: 223.8
Current weight: 216


But beyond just seeing the numbers on the scale - I had to buy a belt the other day because my pants are starting to get a little loose. Not enough to go to the next size, but - I am on my way my friends :)
Also - While I was at Target I bought two new dresses, and I cannot wait to wear them!

 

 

Happy spring! Fellow bloggers and weight lossers!
Happy new life :)

Let us know what your goals are and how they're going by leaving us a comment below.
And look forward to hearing some new and exciting news from the Wiedemanns in the next couple weeks.

Always,
-Roxanne

Roxanne - Morning Walks, No Worries & An Update

Well. Let me first of all give you the weight update:

My challenge starting date is: March 11, 2013
My weight loss for the week is: 2lbs
My total loss is: 5.8lbs.
I've still got 94.2 lbs to go to meet this challenge.
Starting weight - 223.8
Weight as of Monday - 218

Alrighty, now on to the fun stuff :)
MORNING WALKS -
   So. I have recently decided that it is a good idea for me to go walking in the morning.
When the alarm goes off a couple hours before I need to be at work I'm not so sure I agree,
But
When my running shoes are on and I step out into the fresh, crisp clean air, and the sky is only beginning to be tinted with light and pink - I know that it is.

 



I love watching the world wake up.
I read a quote the other day about this very thing it said: "For one moment you forget all your problems because for one moment it's just you, the world and the sunrise."
And it's true.

With this being said I would like to leave you with this video, because "When worry finds you . . . cast your cares on God the almighty"

Good luck out there!
-Roxanne

1000 Awesome Things - Gym Pain

1000 Awesome Things posted this post the other day and it made me laugh when I read it. How often have I had pretty much this exact same experience, and in the end you feel awesome :)

 

 

#804 Gym pain

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 09:01 PM PDT

 

Believe it, folks: I went to the gym last Saturday. Yes, flabby belly, spaghetti-thin arms, bright white sneakers and all.

Though it may surprise you, I am not a walking talking hulk of a man. No, I’m a scrawny knee-pushups kind of guy who spends more time taking sips of water, talking to the maintenance folks, and figuring out how the machines work than I do actually working out. I don’t tone my pecs, blast my quads, or crush my delts. If my trip to the gym was a short film it would be calledStretching In Trackpants.

But anyway, last Saturday.

 

It was 8:45am and I was sipping some water, trying to figure out how the benchpress worked, when a steady stream of spandex-clad seniors suddenly brisked by me with stern brows and towels draped over their shoulders. Honestly, you might have thought there was a sale on oatmeal or aWheel of Fortune marathon about the start at the back of the gym, because these grannies and granpies were on a mission. When I asked a couple maintenance guys what was going on, they told me Boot Camp was about to start.

My mind immediately flashed to visions of crawling through muddy trenches in baggy camo,swinging over frothy rapids on jungle vines, and standing on the roof of a rusty, beat-up car firing a machine gun into the sky with one hand. I can’t explain these images, but they compelled me to follow the Wrinkle March into the aerobics room.

And I know I don’t need to tell you all what happened next.

 

Large, adult-sized Fisher Price plastic and foam bits were strewn all over the floor, thumping dance music started bumping over the speakers, and a headband-clad Drill Sergeant screamed the sweat out of us. Adrenaline racing, I stepped-out, stepped-down, and moved barbells all around. I pushed up, pushed back, and prayed softly. After about fifteen minutes, most of the old folks were barely sweating, while I keeled over, my mouth sucking back dry, sweaty air while a sharp, knife-like pain quietly stabbed into my gut. And the whole time Sergeant Purple Leg Warmers was barking at me to keeping going, don’t stop, two more minutes, one more minute, and rotate!

It was intense.

By the end, I was a Jello-blob of hot muscles and shin splints. I felt like I’d fallen down a hundred flights of stairs and landed on a cactus patch. I was in pain and agony … but you know what?

It felt good.

I felt like I made it. I felt like I did something. There was a tingling buzz of satisfaction burning in my shredded calves, a lingering ache of pride in the dirtbike tracks riding up my stomach for three days, and a quiet happiness with the gym pain I’d inflicted upon myself.

When you reach up higher than you’ve reached before, give a little more than you gave before, or dig deep to your core to end up sprained and sore, well around here we say that’s a little something called

AWESOME

Roxanne - The Tripping Point

Hello Everyone!
So, the other day I was reading an article on Livestrong.com about the Tripping Point.
Basically the Tripping Point is the point where you want to give up because you feel like you aren't or can't do any better.
And truthfully I feel like I'm there
Like I've been there for a few months now.
My tripping point.

But I can't give up.
I won't.
When I first wanted to lose weight, it was probably mostly driven by my desire to fit into what culture sees as acceptable beauty, but now . . .
Now it's personal.
Now I just want to beat this to prove to myself that I can.

One of the suggestions in the article I read (http://www.livestrong.com/article/562572-the-tripping-point-how-performers-get-stuck-and-what-to-do-about-it/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03192013) was to remember why you started in the first place, so here is my list of reasons for why I want to live a healthy, active life, through which I lose weight:

• So that I never have to worry that I won't find clothes that fit
• And to be able to buy the cheaper version of things because they have my size
• To not feel like people are judging me when they look at me
• To be athletic
• To know I can do it
• Do be proud of myself
• To feel accomplished
• To prove that I can do it
• To lower my risk of heart disease
• To lower my BMI
• Wedding dress choices (eventually)
• To never need to worry if my bridesmaid dress is going to fit
• So that I don't have to lie awake at night and worry that I will never change and that I'll always be fighting the same fight
• To feel beautiful
• To be a good example to my sisters and friends
• To not have to worry whether I will be able to donate bone marrow if I am ever a match
• To make finding a vein easier to donate blood
• To be faster - "For every pound of fat you lose, you run up to 4 seconds faster per mile . . . Your body won't have to work as hard to go forward." (Self Magazine)

I don't want to JUST lose weight. I want to become "athletic" where I can participate and enjoy sports and activities because I have the energy as well as have taught and trained my body how to move and its limits.
How about you? What are some of the reasons that inspire you to change your habits and live a healthy life?
-Roxanne

Roxanne : Challenge Update 2

Hey Everyone,
So for those of you who don't know - I am participating in a one year health challenge called The Jackson 100 Pound Challenge - during which I will attempt to lose 100lbs.
I'll keep you all updated.
So here is my update for this week:

Starting date: March 11, 2013
My loss for the week is: 0.2
My total loss is: 3lbs
I still have 97 lbs to lose.
Current weight: 220.8

As you can see my weight loss wasn't that great this week, and I'm not so sure why. With the exception of one day I kept my calorie intake really close to my recommended amount. So in the coming weeks I'm going to be adding more exercise and see if I can boost my metabolism into helping me out.
My other goal is to eat only when I'm actually hungry.
I know this goes against what a lot of diets say - but shouldn't my body know when it needs more food?
So it's what I'm doing.
I definitely appreciate all the encouragement I get from all of you, and from my family.
I'm not giving up, and I hope you don't either!
-Roxanne

Roxanne: Challenge Update 1

Hi Everyone,
So, I know this post was supposed to be written on Monday. I apologize for the delay.
If you don't remember I am participating in the Jackson's 100lbs Challenge - which is to lose a hundred pounds in 365 days.
Now I know you may be thinking: Is that possible? Is that safe?
I've done the calculations and to lose 100lbs in 365 days I only need to lose 0.3lbs a day.
Which is 1.9 lbs a week.
Still safe.
Just hard work.

And the great thing if I accomplish this is that my end weight will put me dead in the middle of a healthy weight range for my height.

So here's the update:
My starting date is: March 11, 2013
My total loss this week is: 3.4lbs
I have 96.6 lbs left to lose to meet this challenge.

Another challenge for myself that I have incorporated into this one is this:
- Morning Workout
- Walk
- Run
- Evening Workout

Now before you start thinking "wow, she puts in a lot of time" my morning and evening are often just a set of reps : Jumping jacks, crunches, squats, push ups. Not a full work out.
Although I would love to work up to that.
And I haven't been running very often.
The weather is making it difficult.
But it's a goal that I will continue to strive toward.

I want to become someone who is more naturally active
(And someone who has a faster metabolism!)

Anyway, that's it for me.
Hope your weeks have been healthy and happy!
-Roxanne
PS: We'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment about what goals or challenges you have set for yourself regarding healthy living.

Roxanne - The recipe update

Alright world,
So there are two recipes I would like to share with you today.
The first one is a healthier remake of an old favorite : Banana Bread :)

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar free applesauce
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

 And I added some chocolate chips to mine.
If you would like to see the original recipe, it came from here : http://8weekstoabetteryourecipes.blogspot.ca/2012/09/banana-bread-8-week-friendly.html

 

The second recipe is this really delicious Lemon Garlic Pasta. I know the combination might sound a little different, but it is SO good!

Ingredients

1 clove garlic

2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 a lemon

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

And pasta to put it on :)

 

 

Directions:

While cooking pasta

Over medium heat sauté the minced garlic in the olive oil until it just begins to brown

Remove from heat

Squeeze lemon juice into it.

When pasta is finished and drained, toss with mixture and cheese.

 

Note: I used cheddar cheese because I didn't have parmesan and I added some pepper. Inspiration for this recipe came from: http://www.inomthings.com/?p=1756 

 

 

Okay. Now for a quick update on me.

So I am presently part of an online challenge from livestrong.com, called the Jackson's 100lb Challenge. The challenge is to lose 100lbs in a year. I update on Monday, so I'll make sure to update you as well.
Other than that I've been trying out healthier recipes, trying to estimate my caloric intake and trying to make sure I walk around an hour each day.

 

Trying to be consistent, another update coming soon! :)

-Roxanne





Food Addiction - Roxanne

So lately I've been reading up on food addiction, because I am fairly certain that I have lived the last few years of my life as a food addict. Although research shows that food can effect the brain in food addicts the same way that alcohol or drugs effect the brain of addict - the good thing is that food addiction is not as strong as either of these other substance abuse issues.
This of course means that it will be easier to break, which is what I am currently working on.
(If you would like to read a completely nerded out article on this : http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/08/02/how-to-fight-your-food-addiction-and-win/)

So presently what I am attempting is to live with guidelines on my life.
My first one is following a menu
And not purchasing any junk food.

If you have any more suggestions or good articles to read on this topic, please leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you!

Always trying again,
-Roxanne

Before & After . . .

Looking for some more encouragement?
Check out this post from Shape Magazine of before and afters of people
http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/success-stories/jaw-dropping-and-after-weight-loss-photos?page=11
Remember that it's not going to happen in a week.
It takes time and consistently working to make healthy choices
All the best.
-Rox

15 Cool Marathons

Looking for a goal to help you get active?
Here is a list of interesting marathons that you could participate in :)
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/running/tips/best-marathons/?page=15

Banana Egg Pancakes

I just want to take a moment to share an easy, quick recipe.
- 1 banana, mashed.
- 2 eggs, scrambled
Combine and fry like a normal pancake.
So, so good :)
I ate it with lime yogurt and berries
-Roxanne

7 Fitness Myths

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are having a great Tuesday :)
I just wanted to take a minute to share an article with you. Some of the information you might already know, and some of it might be new.
Either way I hope you find yourself inspired to not give up.
At least not today.
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/7-stubborn-fitness-myths?page=7
All the best!
-Roxanne

Roxanne - I'm Back!

Hey Everyone,
So, I know it has been quite awhile since I last wrote - But here's to the new year!
I've moved now because I have started my internship with school giving me the perfect opportunity to eat more healthy.
For the next three months I have chosen to no longer eat fast food or junk food. Obviously there will be the odd exception (Like drinking hot chocolate during a 'Let's meet for coffee') but I will not be purchasing any junk food and bringing it into my life.
This will hopefully stabilize my blood sugar levels which will help with cravings thus enabling to keep my eating habits in check.
Also I started a rep program. I found it on Pinterest, and it was to help me with being able to do pushups (I started it last month and can now do over 10 pushups in a row - Only the girl ones, but this month I'm working on the real ones) I also use it for crunches and squats, and with each new month I plan to add a new exercise.

Anyway - That's my life right now.
Here is a little article by Shape magazine if you need a little inspiration : http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/success-stories/7-women-who-kept-their-weight-loss-resolutions?page=7

Happy New Years everyone!
-Roxanne

Roxanne - Small Acomplishments Count

Hi Everyone,
I hope you're having a great week.

This week definitely had its highs and lows for me. I started off the week really great, keeping my calorie intake below 1,400 two days in a row, but for the next two days I completely made up for it eating thousands of calories in junk food.
However, I am happy to report that I jumped back on the wagon food-wise on Saturday, and workout-wise on Sunday, thanks to my sister Allysin who gave me the death glare when I hmmed and huhhed at going to work out with her.
I also want to put out a shout out to my friend Katie, who has been encouraging me in this process as she works on being healthier and losing weight as well. Thanks for keeping me on track. And to the rest of the 'Eh' Team - Ashley and Adam who make sure that I work out at least two times a week.
Thanks for keeping me accountable, and for pushing me. I couldn't keep it up if it wasn't for all of you :)
So, my goal for this next week is to keep my calorie count under 1,800 every single day this week (and hopefully lower than that on most days.)
I also have a really great accomplishment to report - I RAN A WHOLE 5 MINUTES!!! I've never been able to do that before, but, I did it on Sunday, and now that I know I can I'm hoping to incorporate it into most of my daily cardio routines. It just proves that although there has been little outward change, I am healthier on the inside - and that's never a bad thing.
So a huge thanks to everyone who reads this blog and has believed in me. Thanks.
-Roxanne <3

Current Week Weight: 219.8
Last Week: 220
Weight Lost To Date: 15 lbs
Most Amount of Time Run: 5 minutes

Roxanne - Become A Doner . . . Our Inspiration

As most of you know the reason that this blog was started is multi faceted.
Reasons included:
1.) The Health Benefits for our entire family
             These included lowered blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, better sugar levels, and easier to control thyroid levels for different members of my family, on top of the obvious benefits of better heart, lung, muscle and overall physical and mental health.
2.) Weight Loss
             For myself, my parents and two of my sisters.
3.) To Help Motivate Us to Train For the Run For the Cure
             As was previously documented, we did not participate in the Run this year, but we hope to in the future. Cancer is something that affects almost every person's life. Even if we never experience it for ourselves, we probably know someone who has, and as a family we want to help put an end to this epidemic. For us it was for our Oma who died of stomach cancer, our Opa who died from skin cancer, and our Papa who died due to pancreatic cancer. It's also for our friends, Brittany & Branden, whose father is fighting a battle with cancer right now, and more recently, for our mom who has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Thankfully it appears that for us it was caught early enough that it can be removed and my mom will go on to live a normal, cancer free life.
             But what about all the people who aren't that lucky?
             Whose loved ones are fighting, or have fought losing battles against this disease?
Let's run for them. (runforthecure.com *NOTE: Run for the Cure is specifically for breast cancer research, but if we have breakthrough in on area of cancer research hopefully we'll see breakthrough in other areas too.)

But running's not enough.
You can help cancer victims and their families right now by becoming a doner.
Many people going through cancer treatments need blood transfusions and stem cell transplants.
Donating is a simple process that takes a minimal amount of time and effort, but by donating you could be helping to fight and save someone's life.
Be a part of this.
Please go to: blood.ca
And sign up to become a doner.

Thank you.
-Roxanne

Current Week Weight: 220.4
Last Week: 221.8
Weight Lost to Date: 14lbs
Most amount of time run: 2 minutes



After all - It's in you to give.

Roxanne's Update - Sometimes You're Disappointed

I find myself incredibly frustrated today as I complete my weekly weigh in.
No change.
Well,
No GOOD change.
According to my scale I've gained .6lbs.
But little fluctuations like this aren't a big deal.
The big deal is that I'm supposed to be losing weight, not maintaining my current weight.
And I did so well this week too!
Of course there were still some screw ups, but in the end the mathematics should still have calculated into about a half pound to a pound of weight lost.

Anyways, it's just frustrating to give everything you've got and find that you're exactly where you started.
Hopefully this week is better.
-Roxanne

Current Weight : 221.8
Last Week: 221.2
Total Weight Lost : 13lbs

Roxanne's Update - Can't Stay The Same . . .

Alright everyone!
So, it's Tuesday. You know what that means: weigh in/measure/re-evaluate and blog day.
Unfortunately I don't have any real change to report today.
This past weekend was Thanksgiving, and I thought I had done really well. And maybe compared to the past I did. I'm not sure.
But if I keep making changes, and don't give up, then I truly believe that one day I will meet with success. All I know is that I can't stay the same. It is no longer an option.
This week marks the beginning of meatless Mondays, and trying to lose weight by eating only soup and salad for lunch.
Wish me luck!
-Roxanne (@RoxyWiedemann)
Current Weight: 221.2
Weight Loss: 13.8 lbs

Roxanne - Week 2 Update -

Hi Everyone!
So, this week has definitely been an adventure. See, changing how I am - changing how my body is used to living isn't easy. Some days it's a real fight.
And some days I gave up.
This past week on Thursday and Friday I kinda gave up on my life changes. I stopped caring what I ate and only did my one work out each day - and just so that I could check it off and say that I did.
But
I didn't let myself continue to give up.
In the past I've always looked at my mistakes and seen them as insurmountable. I would think that since I had already made a mistake that I should just give up trying. But, I was wrong.
This is worth trying for - and of course somedays I'm going to mess up. I mean, this is a pretty big change for me, but at the end of the day it is going to be well worth it.
And with every good decision it gets easier to make good decisions . . . right?
That's what I'm hoping.
But even if I have to fight for every minute, for every rep, for every run. for every pound lost - I'm going to.
I'm going to do this.

Update:
Longest time run: 3 minutes (up a minute from last week, and PS - running is getting SO much easier!)
Time run during a work out: 8 1/2 minutes in 40 minutes
Distance walked/run this week: 12.83 miles approx.
Total Weight Lost: 9 lbs
Last week's weight: 228 lbs
Weight Lost: 3 lbs
Current weight: 225.8 lbs
Goal: 198 lbs by May 20th, 2012

If I can make progress - so can you!
Fight for it.
-Roxanne

Roxanne - Update 1 - First Run

So, yesterday was my first day of running. I found an interval training program to help me start, so it mixes a pattern of running and walking. I can't quite do the whole thing yet, but during yesterday's run I managed 3 sets of 2 minutes. So 6 minutes of my half hour workout was running - small steps of progress.
I also do a DVD workout in the mornings - PowerFit by Stephanie Huckabee, and today I was actually able to do 5 push ups in a row! I completely surprised myself. I've always been a little bit wimpy, and have never been able to do pushups one right after the other. Even last week when I attempted the same workout I maybe did two pushups.(I've only been doing these workouts for about a week and a half.) So even though I can't complete all the reps yet, and they're only girly pushups for now. Small progress counts! :) I was pretty proud of myself. Not to mention now that I work out in the morning and the evening I am always hungry! I've even started eating breakfast, which is a big step for me. Right now it's only a piece of fruit and a cup of tea, but progress is progress :)
Not to mention how stinking happy I feel. I feel more energetic already, and I just can't seem to shake this new found excitment for life, and that's what I'm loving. I'm not sure whether it's the endorphins rushing through my body, or the fact that by getting up and working out in the mornings I am forcing myself to accomplish something I set out to do. Either way - I'm loving it! In the words of a man I respect very much - Pastor Mark Goring - tgfl! Thank God for Life. And trust me, I am :)
Also, another big accomplishment is - I did not gain any weight over the Christmas holidays. I left weighing 228lbs and returned weighing 228lbs, but my goal is to not weigh 228lbs by the next time I go home again. I'll keep you posted at the beginning of every week to let you know how I'm doing on that.
So tonight I'm walking hills, as I have been told you're not supposed to run everyday. Which is probably good because at this moment my body's not so convinced that it likes the whole running bussiness, but trust me - it will.
All the best with your goals,
-Roxanne <3

Watch this and I hope it encourages you to pursue your goals and dreams. This year I am. #thisismyleapyear #iLeap