Rough One

So I did a 3 mile run yesterday and it was a rough one. Okay so I didn't run all of it, because it was scary. We were running/walking at the new Beverly Park in SW Cedar Rapids and it has a great mountain bike trail, but not so good for running. My cousin Beth come down from Cedar Falls to do the walk with me. And she was great at keeping me going because I was ready to give up as we started. There were a lot of hills and lots of other obstacles to watch out for. I tried to run up some of the hills but my calves were burning and my toes were numb. We did bring up the rear, but did run a little at the end. I wanted to stop running before we got to the finish, but Beth reminded me it was downhill so keep going. I made it but again it was a reminder that I need to keep walking and add more running each time. My son went with me and I thought he would stay with me to help push me but he was off like a shot and ran more then the 3 miles in about 30 minutes. When we were done he asked me when the next one is. I think I have created a monster!

We are going to do the 4K Return of the Turkey Trot in Marion this Saturday. I am looking forward to flat ground to run on. I don't think I will go the whole week without working out this time though. I thought I would be more sore today but I am not, so I am looking forward to walking after work today since it is going to be so nice out.

Down Week

So I have totally taken the whole week off from any kind of workout and I feel terrible. I wish I could say I have been sitting around being lazy, but last weekend I painted my sons room and we have had a busy week with my son.
I am hoping my stress level goes down a little now that my son will be going to a different school. My son has had some issues in school and we are moving him to a private school and really hope that will help him succeed in school.
So I am doing a 5K on Sunday and it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. So today I better get out there and at least try and walk 3 miles so I feel more ready for Sunday. My cousin is coming down to do the 5K with me so I have someone there to help push me to do some more running.
I did get to meet Matt and Suzy Hoover last Friday and that was awesome. I do have a long ways to go to lose as much as Suzy has but I know I can get there. She looks great! And so does Matt.

Now in the words of my good friend Julie; Get out there and SMOVE today. Smile and Move!!

Ugh Food Days

Anybody have some handcuffs? I need to handcuff myself to my chair today! Food Days are so hard. There is tons of good food in the conference room today and I need to stop myself from wandering in there throughout the day.
My friend just called me and wants to walk tonight so that will be good. I can walk off some of what I eat today.
I had a great workout weekend. My husband and I love going to the Prairie Lake trail to walk. I even tried to run on Saturday, but by the time I was done my back hurt so bad I could barely even walk. I need to do a little more each time to work myself up to a run.
I am feeling stronger each day and all my clothes are getting baggier so I am happy with my progress.
Have a great week!

Hey I am still here

Well I haven't checked in because I felt like I didn't have much to report, but I have something exciting to report!
First I have actually had to start wearing a belt and recently had to move a couple notches up on it. So I went shopping this weekend and decided to try on some new jeans. I have been wearing between a 24 or 22 for the past 2 years and tried on a pair of size 20's, but guess what? They didn't fit! I tried on a pair 18's and they felt great!!! I have finally dropped 2 sizes. It feels great to be able to buy smaller clothes!
I have been doing a lot of walking lately and have even added some running a little at a time. My high school track coach would laugh if he heard that I was actually running. Never did it in track. I also got a new workout video and have done that the past two days. It is Jillian Michael's, 30 Day Shred. It is great because it is only 25 minutes, but after doing it two days I am sore all over. She has you constantly moving and it has Cardio, Strength and ab work.
Well I will try and do better at giving updates, so keep checking in. Thanks for your support!
Now about all this Halloween candy that people keep bringing into work:(

Hey just checkin' in

So I am still at the same weight. I really need to kick this in gear! I am back to making excuses for everything; why I need to have a snack and why I can't work out. I don't understand why I just don't work out because I always feel so much better when I do.
On this day 7 years ago I weighed 40 lbs less then I do today and I was nine months pregnant and giving birth to my beautiful daughter Ellie today. I lost 20 lbs during each of my pregnancies, but then immediately put the weight back on. I had one doctor tell me that I didn't need to worry about losing weight during my pregnancy because I had enough fat on my body that baby could get the nutrition they needed. Nice huh?!
So I have a long weekend ahead and should have plenty of opportunity to work out. And lots of opportunity to eat. Going out tonight for supper to celebrate birthdays and tomorrow I get wedding food and cake and mints. Looks like it will be a great weekend though for some good walks outside!
I am stuck at 240 and want to get it moved down just a little. I will check in again soon.

Getting Old Stinks

We are home from a long weekend vacation. I am sore and tired. I just can't keep going like I used to:( We went to Minneapolis for the weekend and went on a lot of roller coasters and I ache all over. I don't know at what point in my life I started having fears of heights, but it really sucks. I never used to be scared of anything, but this weekend showed me how much I am a little quesy when I get on the coasters. It was fun watching the kids enjoy themselves though. And that is what vacation is all about right?!
I did a lot of walking this weekend, but I also ate to make up for it. All in all the walking made the food consumption a wash. So I guess that isn't too bad.
I am really looking forward to this week. I am no longer working two jobs so I am going to have plenty of time to work out. I know this is really going to jumpstart my roadblock I seem to have hit. I have not lost anymore weight, but many people have commented that I am looking different. So that is always a push in the right direction.
I did go get my hair done on Friday, which was supposed to be one of my goal reaching rewards, so I really need to hit that 2o lbs goal now. My cousin did my hair and I was telling her about my goals and she is all ready to help me with my rewards. She wants me to come in for a full spa day once I am able to fit back into my wedding bands. So that sounds good to me! I need to do more planning to change my lifestyle.
So today I was 239 lbs and I only need 3 more lbs. to reach my 20 lbs. Plan, Plan, Plan. I can do this!

Scale Broken?

OMG!!! I really think my scale doesn't have the ability to go below 240 lbs!! I have been stuck at 240lbs for over 2 weeks and it is starting to piss me off! I have been working out and eating right and it still will not drop.
I am really looking forward to being done working two jobs so I can focus more on working out. I really want to get this first 20 lbs off so I can go get my hair done. I really don't look good with grey hair:(
I guess I should be happy with the fact that I have lost 16 lbs and have kept it off for over two weeks, but I really think it is time to move on and take some more weight off. I need to continue to make goals on eating and working out. Sitting on the bike for 30 minutes isn't going to cut it.
I only work until 10:30 today at my first job, so I am going to go home and try some of my new workout videos, ok so not really new because I have had them for over a year, but have never even put them in the DVD player. I need to start working more parts of my body to make sure all my muscle are getting a workout.

Talk to you all soon!

Almost there....

I can see the hurdle, it's right there in front of me but I just can't get my leg up over it. I am only 3 lbs from my first goal of 20 lbs. I need to get to that goal! I know I can do it!
I have not worked out the past two days and I am so looking forward to getting a workout in today. On Monday and Tuesdays I work from 6:30am to 10:30pm between two jobs and have no time to get in that much needed workout time. Luckily that is only going to last one more month. I am ready to focus totally on this lifestyle change once I am done working my second job. I do very well with my food choices during those days, knowing I won't even have time to stop in between jobs to get fast food, I always pack plenty of healthy snacks.
I am setting a goal of Friday, August 6th to make it over that hurdle. So I will check in again soon and hopefully I will reach that hurdle before my goal date. Talk to you all soon!

Good Weekend

I stepped on the scale this morning and it doesn't show it but I feel like I made some progress this weekend. I have been so tired for working too much lately and I was letting that influence my lack of movement. I did not make any excuses this weekend and actually got some effective workouts in. I can tell too, because I have more energy tonight!
I did a 30 minute workout on the recumbent bike on Saturday morning before heading up to Cedar Falls for my cousins wedding reception. I didn't eat much food, but did cheat with a piece of cake :(
I was excited to use my free tickets to the Hall & Oates tickets at Riverside on Saturday night and little did I know that was going to be the best workout of the weekend. We stood the whole concert(to much of the dislike of some of the fuddy duddy's sitting around us), okay we didn't just stand the whole concert, my husband and I were dancing the whole time. I found a spreadsheet that you can enter your weight and the length of time you did an activity that tells you how many calories you burn. Well dancing for 1 hour and 40 minutes I burned 824 cals!! Too bad we then hit the buffet to help celebrate my husband's birthday. I still didn't eat a ton of food.
Today I kept putting off doing any exercise, but finally after going to a movie with the family I decided I better get at it. I jumped on the recumbent bike for 30 minutes then after supper I decided since I was sitting downstairs watching baseball that it wouldn't hurt if I jumped on for another 30 minutes. Well lost track of time and rode for 40 minutes. I feel great tonight and hopefully it will start showing on the scale soon.
I went and bought some new clothes today and I usually wear a size 20 shirt and decided I better try the shirt on first and decided I better go with the next size smaller. Yes!!! So it may not always show on the scale but people are starting to notice.
Thanks again Schulte and Swan for the tickets to the show! I was able to help my husband celebrate his birthday and got in a good workout!

Standstill

I really thought I would have dropped some pounds last weekend, but yet the scale is stuck. I could have swore I sweat at least 5 lbs out while sitting at the good ol' Hudson Days parade on Saturday morning. Then on Sunday we went to Lost Island and all the stairs I did really was a great workout.
My husband said that he is going to help with a workout plan to try and help with my workouts. He said he will be my own personal trainer!
My kids are really involved in this too. Every time I open the fridge or look in the cupboard, they ask me if I really need to be looking for food. Nothing like a kids to keep you honest!
I just need to keep telling myself that it will come off, I really need to constantly work at it. I needed to change my thinking and know that the weight is not going to just come off without a lot of effort on my part.
I did get to see some friends this weekend when we went back home and the only think I could think about is next year when I come home for my 20 year class reunion is that I AM going to look like I did back in high school. I have one year to get back to the me I want to be.
I can do this and I will do this!!

Here I go again....

Well it is happening again. I have lost some weight so I guess I can eat what I want to and that weight I worked so hard on losing will just stay off. Wrong! I always get to this point where I have lost some weight and then I think I can go back to the way I ate before. I need to go back to my planning ahead, it works so much better.
I have been drinking too much pop and diet tea also. I am back on the water today and it really does taste good. I notice that it does help me feel full and not so apt to snack all day.
I did eat fast food this weekend while on a road trip and it did not digest well and didn't even taste good, so I guess that is one positive. I just need to keep planning ahead and make sure I am always packing my breakfast and lunch.
I really need to keep working out also. I haven't been able to do a good workout since last Wednesday and I can tell. I don't have near as much energy. I did walk a lot over the weekend while visiting the zoo in Omaha, but not too much to get my heart rate up. There are some big hills to climb and my calves are really feeling it.
I am actually going to be home tomorrow and Thursday night so I am really excited to have time to ride the bike and maybe go out for a nice long walk.
I need to get motivated and keep going because I feel so much better when I am eating right and working out.

3 weeks in

Today is Friday, July 2 and I have been working on my new lifestyle for 3 weeks. When I went to Z102.9 for the first time 3 weeks ago I weighed 256 lbs. I weighed my self this morning and I am at 243 lbs. Finally I have lost 13 lbs. I know that is good, but I was complaining to my husband the other night and telling him it seems like it should be coming off faster. He is being such a great support. He reminded me that I am not on a crash diet, that I'm not trying to lose a ton of weight really fast. He said, "You are making a lifestyle change, you have to eat and workout like this the rest of your life, so you are doing great!"
I am looking forward to this weekend and not looking forward to this weekend. I am looking forward to the weekend because I know I will have time to get a great workout everyday. I am not looking forward to the weekend because I know on Saturday night we are going to my in laws for a cookout and my mother in law is a great cook and their will be tons of food. We are also going to the Kernels game on Sunday and I am going to want some yummy baseball park food. I will just have to really watch what I eat and how much of it that I do eat.
So far the best part is that I don't feel like I have changed too much and I can easily accomplish my eating goals each day. So I skip the cake at a birthday party and I can't put the bag of Reese's pieces in my bag of light popcorn. If I want something sweet I eat fruit and I am finding tons of recipes for great meals that are lower calorie and fat.
So I said in a previous post that I should reward myself for reaching small goals. I might have to get a mani/pedi today!
Thanks again to Suzy, Schulte and Swann, my family and all my workout girls on Facebook that keep me motivated.

Long week ahead

So I start working a second job this week and will really have to plan ahead for breakfast, lunch and suppers. I will only have a 30 minutes to get from one job downtown to the other job by the airport, so I will have no time for eating in between. I have created my menu for the nights that I am home and even for the nights I am not home for my husband to make dinner. I think I am ready for the week to begin, but just thinking that I may not get in as many workouts as I would like.
I have been finding some good recipes that are lower calorie and lower in fat. I just made some Applesauce Oatmeal muffins that are only 93.5 cals and .5 g of fat. I made a double batch so I could put some in freezer, but my kids are eating them like crazy! Oh well if they enjoy the healthy food I am making that is good too.
I rode the stationary bike twice this weekend and even went for a bike ride outside with my daughter, which is really different then my recumbent bike! I need to do that more often. I think I need to buy a bike.
We went to some Freedom Festival events and to USA Days in Fairfax and saw many people with some delicious looking funnel cakes which have always been my favorite, but I dug down deep and did not have one. I know that doesn't sound hard for some people, but for me that was big!
I will keep you posted on how my week goes, so be sure to check back!

I got my shirt from Suzy!

I stopped into Z102.9 on Tuesday morning to be presented with the shirt from Suzy Hoover. I tried it on and it a really snug! You can see all my rolls and that isn't the delicious sweet rolls. This shirt will really be a great inspiration for me to keep up this new lifestyle.

Suzy asked me to list 5 reasons why I am worth this and 5 reasons why I want to do this. Here are a couple of the reasons why:

1. To be able to walk in any store and buy clothes.

2. To have more energy to keep up with my kids.

3. So I can once again wear my Anniversary diamond and my wedding ring that I have not worn in 7 years.

Reasons why I am worth it:

1. So I can be around for my family.

2. To have a higher self-esteem and more confidence.

3. To be a happier person.

I have attached my picture in the shirt and also my rings attempting to be on my fingers.

Thank you for all the support from family and friends, Suzy Hoover and Schulte and Swann! The motivation I get from all of you is awesome!

Day 7

So yesterday was day 7 of my new journey and I weighed in at 250.4. I lost 6 lbs! This is not going to be like every other time, I lost 6 lbs though. Why? Because I would always lose that 5 lbs and then say oh good now I can go back to the way I was and I would just gain it right back. Not gonna happen!
We went to my nephews birthday party last night and I turned down the cake. I was going to ask for a smaller piece, but decided I wasn't hungry so I didn't even need it.
I have either walked or rode the stationary bike 5 out of the last 7 days so I feel good about that. I have also been very good at planning meals and having them ready when my husband gets home so we can't change our minds and go out to eat.
Well I am off to begin my weekend and I hope to get a lot of exercise in this weekend to give myself a boost of energy for this coming week. I am starting a second job and I will need all the energy I can get!
Have a great weekend and I will check in again after visiting Z102.9 on Tuesday!

Almost a week

I am so tired today. I think I only slept about 3 hours total last night. I didn't get up to work out this morning because I slept right through my alarm.
We had a lunch outing for work today and we went to Scorz Bar & Grill in Mt. Vernon. I work with two of the owners so I asked ahead what would be on the menu that would be healthier then most bar food. They have a great mix of the delicious looking greasy appetizers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. I ordered the grilled Chicken wrap that was huge. I ordered my ranch on the side so I could be careful of how much I was using. It was a very large wrap and very good. I ate the whole thing:(
I had to go help in the concession stand tonight for the booster club, so I didn't even have a chance to have supper, so I don't feel too bad about eating the whole chicken wrap for lunch. They had tons of great looking food in the concession stand tonight, but I refrained from eating anything. The walking tacos smelled so good too.
The only exercise I got was walking down 5 flights of stairs and back up. I was so winded coming back up that I had to stop on each floor. It reminded me why I am doing this!!
Well better get to bed so I can get up tomorrow and as my friend Julie always says, "Win the Day"!

Determining my plan

So I have been trying to determine my plan to reach my goals, I want to create an eating plan and an exercise plan. I just keep going over the things that have worked in the past and haven't worked in the past. Of course in the past it has always been about the numbers and a time frame that I wanted to accomplish those numbers. This time I need to change my behavior, not just diet. So I think I at least have a plan to change my behavior!
My son has behavioral issues and we have went to many doctors to try and help him out being more successful in school and at home. The one thing that each doctor has said is that you to take things away for poor behavior and then he can earn things back for good behavior. So if that is supposed to work on his behavior, shouldn't it work on changing my behavior? I am not sure what I will take away for poor eating and exercise habits, but I can think of all the things I can earn for good behavior! Manicures, Pedicures, getting my hair done, and all the new clothes and shoes I can buy!!
I have been doing good at moving alot more and eating healthier meals and snacks. I still need to get it all written down so I can see it on paper to help me follow easier, but so far I feel I am off to a good start!
Thanks to everyone that heard me on the Schulte and Swann show the other morning that has given me even more courage to accomplish this!

The beginning of my new journey.

Hi Everyone! My name is Letha Usher and I am beginning a new journey in my life to become the me I want to be. I was chosen to be the first person to receive the shirt that Suzy Hoover first wore on "The Biggest Loser" for Sisterhood of the Traveling Shirt on Z102.9.

On Friday, June 11, I made a promise to myself to become a healthier person. Suzy gave me an assignment to write down 5 reason why I want to make this change and 5 reasons why I am worth it. I am still working on those, and also my plan of action to make the changes I need to become more healthier.

I have done well all weekend with my eating and getting up and moving. Starting the work week will prove to be my biggest challenge and no more hitting the snooze button.

When talking with Scott and Ric on Friday on the Schulte and Swann show I revealed my at 256.4 lbs. I will be updating my weight on my blog and also when I stop in and visit Schulte and Swann.

I had my husband take a couple of pictures me today in a t-shirt I bought last summer that I promised myself I would be able to wear this summer, but again this year it is too tight. I will also take a picture of myself in the shirt that Suzy is sending once I get it.

So the journey begins!