Progress!

I'm so pumped guys!

Since 6/15 I've made the following progress on my fitness assessment:

4 1/2 inches lost....1/2 an inch was around my chest, the rest in hips/thighs/waist (the most important parts to shrink for me!)

I also lost just shy of 1% bodyfat! I still have a lot to go, but I'm so happy!

My arms are getting less flabby, but they are firming vs. creating loose skin or growing (biceps sometimes get bigger), so I guess my arms had room to grow, yay for not having bigger arms! (do not want)

I also improved my VO2....in 3 minutes of stairclimber my heart rate only went up to 150 vs. 160 and after 3 minutes of rest I got back down to 110. I need to remember to get my resting heart rate when I wake up in the morning, I keep forgetting, I'm gonna put a post it on my alarm clock :)

I also did MUCH heavier weights for the leg strength and the arm strength, unfortunately the other tests weren't a good basis, apparently they were on easier machines, so my PT says that I'm stronger, but its not the same comparison...pretty happy though!

For some reason my flexibility sucked, it went down, but I really think its cause my last test was in the evening and this was first thing in the morning, we weren't worried.

My number of crunches went down, too..my thoughts, I was kinda sleepy this morning so I didnt' put the pedal to the medal on doing them super fast...hehe.

So I'm here to say folks, 2x a week weight lifting (to get the whole body done every week, total of 1 hour a week), 3x a week minimum cardio, mostly running, sometimes elliptical, I incoroprate HIIT as well. Then finally, this is a big deal, tracking my food...I use MyFitnessPal.

Oh, I've also lost 8 lbs since June 15th.I know my counter says different because I started it in July..that's okay though, I've gained muscle and lost fat!

So pumped!

<3 Merbear

What I love (mostly) Wordless Wednesday

Ryan

summer ripe strawberries

Finishing a challenging run

Sunny Lunch Breaks

Light Caribou Coolers, heaven sent!

<3 Merbear

What I Love Wednesday

Big bay window in my
new home

Leftover Chipotle Burrito Bol because
I only eat 1/2 at a time, YUM!

black cherry and pomegranate Chobani!

Pretty Pedicures



Pistachios!




I like turtles



Habitat for Humanity

Last week I volunteered for a wonderful charity called Habitat for Humanity.  The company I work for gives us on volunteer paid time off day a year so we can give our time to a charity of our choice. They partner with Habitat for Humanity for people who want to volunteer with their team at work, so its team building and doing something for the local community.

On Wednesday, keep in mind I kicked my butt all day packing and then doing a weight lifting workout on Tuesday night, I headed over to Northeast Minneapolis near Broadway and 3rd where the current project is building 8 townhomes.

My team was in charge of putting in pieces of wood above all the wall/window framing that drywall can be attached to.   We scavenged scrap 2x4s and 2x10s and measured them out to fit in the spaces and then used a pneumatic palm hammer to put it in. 

I got to use a Miter saw for the first time!

See that sunburn forming? whoops!
Sawing was so fun, go me!

The other half my team was putting in the boards:

I know this post wasn't super health oriented, but voluteering is good for the brain, its good for the soul, see what you can do to support your commmunity and help deserving people in need!

Oh and the next morning....I did a leg workout and 20 minutes of elliptical...GO ME!

Ooh I better take a bunch of pictures, as tomorow is Wordless What I Love Wednesday!

What volunteering opportunities or charities do you like?

How do you support them?

What Is Awesome Wednesday

First, I want to thank Corryn, Sabrina and Kris for the helpful vacaction advice yesterday. I will be in control, I will do my C25K runs in the morning and I will plan ahead meals. If I can't bring my own food, I'll check out menus before I go, just like I do at home.  I can DO this!

Now, on to some things I think are awesome today, there is one that I have to mention that is *not* in photo format and that is the #priorfatpack! I love you guys! If any blog reader out there isn't already part of the pack and would like to chat with us on Twitter, just follow the hashtag #priorfatpack, introduce yourself! We are a super supportive group of people that are in the beginning, middle and even end weightloss and healthiness journeys. I love you guys!

Okay the photo version!!

caprese salad

fresh springrolls

Spicy Tuna Rolls



seaweed salad









Priorfatgirl "One Bite. One Decision" confirmation bracelet



OMG! Buckled leather sandals with dark silver kitten heels!



Favorite things weekend

This weekend I got to do some of my most favorite things!

I went to my favorite hairstylist and friend Crystal at the Ulta in Woodbury, MN, its a 40 minute drive for me these days and totally worth it!  She always chooses the perfect foil combos and an added bonus this weekend is she curled my hair for me!  Also awesome is that Smashbox was doing free makeup and I got mine done with first time ever "smokey eyes." I was so impressed I posted pics and bought the eye shadows!

Yes, their ploy worked, but it made me feel great! I also won the drawing for a free Smashbox gift basket, how cool is that? I still have to go pick it up.

Saturday night I went to the local casino with my boyfriend and we heard Bill Maher from HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher do his thing. Hilarious! I also got to show of my glam look at the casino, hubba hubba!

You'd think that'd be enough excitement! But, then on Sunday I attended the "Red Shoes and Sushi" event hosted by Fabuliss and @PrincessSushi of Twitter fame!  I did try on quite a few pairs of red shoes, but I ended up buying some much needed black summery shoes, some shoes for a wedding...and these babies:



Shoes that make me think of summer, picnics and blue skies

 Thank you Nordstrom's Shoe Department at the Mall of America for the fabulous service! Two hours and probably 30-40 pairs of shoes if you count what all the girls tried on!

After shoes, we dined together at Tiger Sushi in the Mall of America.  I love sushi, and normally I totally go overboard and have 2 or 3 rolls, plus some edamame and gyoza.  But, with my new focus on cutting calories and getting fit, I need to revise this!  What did I find? Well, along with a super yummy seaweed salad I had "The Volcano" which is SO PERFECT! It had 3 kinds of fish (octopus, tuna and salmon), plus mango slices, strawberry slices, and cucumber, and a very light japanese mayo/chili lime garlic dressing.and no rice, thus reducing the carby/calorie intake..check this baby out:

Volcano

After running around all day, going to the casino and eating at the buffet, and even an event that involved eating, I was able to stick to my calorie intake goals for the weekend.  This just shows me that as long as I think before I eat, I can enjoy myself and not freak out with food.  YAY!