What's that on your arm??

    So, I get several weird looks and stares, given the thing that I wear on my left tricep. A few brave souls have even ventured to ask me what it is. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is a Bodymedia Fit Armband.

   
  I wear it 24/7 except for when I'm showering, because it doesn't like the water. This little baby has sensors on the inside that press up against my skin and constantly take measurements. With those measurements it's able to determine how many calories I'm burning, how many steps I'm taking, my vigorous and moderate activity, and even my sleep patterns. All of these are very important components to a healthy lifestyle, especially if you're trying to lose weight.

    To get your results you sync your Bodymedia with your computer and it uploads your data to an online management program. If you're like me and you're too curious to wait until you're near your computer to upload your data, they do have a handy dandy display device that you can sync minute-by-minute with, and get the most up to date information. 

 

 

    I will tell you that I have not always had a Bodymedia. I've actually only had my device for about 3-4 months. I mainly got it because I've just always been curious. I wanted to know how many calories I'm burning during the day and during my workouts. 

    I will also tell you that I was not paid to do this blog post, although that would have be awesome, because this is a pretty stellar review! And, just a little secret if you're thinking about getting a device like this.....check out Ebay.....way cheaper than buying directly from the manufacturer. ;-)

   The Bodymedia is an amazing device, especially if you're currently trying to lose weight. It can be very hard to lose weight, especially if you're not sure how many calories you're burning. This device keeps you in check. If you're struggling with meeting your weight loss goals, consider looking into one of these devices. I find that I push myself harder because I want to meet my daily goals that I've set for myself, and this helps me do that!

 

Even T is sporting one!!

 

Something bit my husband

  I'm going to brag about T a bit, because I'm so proud of him and some recent accomplishments he's had.

  T has always been a little flip-floppy with his weight. He lost about 25 pounds right before we got married and then he gained it back. He says its because he's married to such a great cook, and it was happy weight. He also told me that he thinks a lot of people are kinda depressed when they're overweight, but he never felt  that way. He was always happy. But that's T. He's an extremely happy guy. He doesn't let things bring him down. He stresses about nothing. Me, on the other hand....well, I stress enough for the both of us....and probably half of the neighborhood!

  Anywho....I've always told T that I don't care what he looks like. I just want him to be healthy. As I told you in previous posts, both my mother and grandmother passed away at early ages from cancer, and I want to break that cycle. Well, in T's family, a lot of the men are affected with Type 2 Diabetes. I just always tell him that if I'm going to fight to live forever, I want him living forever with me! 

  In the past, T has gotten serious about his diet and fitness, but the seriousness has fizzled out within a few weeks. But not this time! Some kind of crazy bug has bitten my husband and his results have been amazing! He's been extremely dedicated for the past 10 weeks or so, and he's lost over 25 pounds. Yes girls, let's all have a moment of anger towards men and how quickly they can lose weight! GRRRR!! Ok, we're moving on. 

  This was T last summer during a trip to Colorado.

  T about a year ago.

  T has started working out on a daily basis and he now feels guilty if he doesn't do some type of exercise every day. He's also measuring, weighing and recording everything that he eats. I promise you people, that is the way to do it if you're trying to get results! It's amazing once you start measuring and weighing your food. You gain a perspective of what a true portion is! 

  Here's a recent picture of T, after a 25 pound weight loss. What a studly guy!

  I couldn't be more proud of T and the healthy lifestyle that he has chosen to follow. We've got forever to look forward to!

I work out!

jdunkle.blogspot.com

  I've had several different workout routines since I began my "get your butt in shape" lifestyle back in 2005. For years, up until about seven months ago, I was a gym rat. Every day I was there, you could bet your bottom dollar.
  I would go through phases of doing different machines and create a routine with it. I might do the elliptical one day, and then run on the treadmill the next. I always tried to incorporate weight training into my routine, even though I always hated lifting. I know that strength training is an important component of exercise....I've just never liked it.
  In 2009, I ran the half-marathon here in San Antonio. In preparation, I trained for several months and was definitely on the right track....and then I developed planters fasciitis in my right foot. Talk about painful, and a great way to sidetrack my running. For about 3 weeks before the half-marathon I didn't touch a treadmill, but being the stubborn, no-quitting attitude person that I am, I got out there that day and ran it. It felt like a great accomplishment, and for once in a blue moon, I was proud of myself.
  Last year, in an effort to boost up my strength training, I did the P90-X program. I hated it! I've always been a cardio junkie, so tons of weightlifting was not for me. I would push as hard as I could during the workouts, and still barely break a sweat. No sweat=unworthy workout to me. But darnit, I finished those 90 days, and then I got my butt back to the gym!
  Earlier this year, around the beginning of March, I felt like I was in a gym rut and in need of a challenge. I decided to really test my mind, body and soul....with the Insanity workout system. If you've seen those infomercials you know that program looks pretty crazy.
  I love it! I feel like I've finally found a program that kicks my butt! No matter how many times I do a workout, it never gets easy! I also love that there's no weightlifting, but I've definitely gotten toned because there's so many moves that use your own body as resistance.
  I finished the two month program and immediately started it again. I felt challenged and empowered. As I neared the end of my second round, in mid-July, I felt like my body was getting a bit tired. I also knew that I loved Insanity, and didn't want to burn-out and then hate it....so I knew it was time for a change.
  I'd grown accustomed to doing home workouts, so began searching for another DVD workout program. I discovered the Turbofire program and love it. It's definitely more upbeat and fun than Insanity. It's a lot of cardio kickboxing routines, and I've always liked kicking and punching.....the air.
  After about 4 weeks I was still loving Turbofire, but getting a little fearful that I was going to lose the intensity that I'd gained with Insanity. So, I'm currently doing a hybrid schedule of both Insanity and Turbofire. It's working really well for me, and I definitely feel challenged by both programs.
  So, that's the workout program that I'm currently doing. I never saw myself as being successful with a home workout program, but so far it's working. I've grown to appreciate being able to just walk down the hallway and do my workout.
  We have two guest rooms at our house. One is setup as your standard room for guests, and the other is T's "man cave." He does his photo editing in there (I'll talk more about that soon), plays video games and displays all his guy stuff.
  But, every morning at 4:30 that space is all mine. Hold up! Rewind! What time did you say, Megan?! You read correctly....I said 4:30. Since I was a little girl I've always been a morning person. I've never been a late sleeper (6:30 on a Sunday is pushing it). I've never been a snooze-button-hitter. My alarm goes off and I just jump out of bed. So naturally, I enjoy doing my workouts in the morning.

Love this!  fitsugar.com

  Research actually shows that people who work out in the morning are more successful with continuing their exercise over the long run. I figure it's because, besides sleeping, there's not much else to do at 4:30 in the morning. I can't go have dinner with my friends, work late, or vacuum.....all things that could cause a slip-up in my evening workout routine. I definitely encourage you, if you're struggling with finding consistency with your exercise, to give mornings a shot. It's hard in the beginning, but once the habit is formed it's just second nature. It's not for everyone. T has tried the morning routine.....nope, it's not for him. Do what works for you!
  Comment or email me if you have any questions about different exercise routines, or are looking for some support in that area!

I was the chubby kid

  Oh, where do I begin to talk about how I weighed 220 pounds by the time I was 19 years old, how I lost more than half of that weight, and the craziness in between.
   Well...I was not extremely overweight throughout my childhood. I was also not a super skinny little kid. By the time I was 11 or 12 I was a little chunky, but not super chunky. I would say I maybe weighed 20 or so  pounds more than most of my little girlfriends. I was just as active as them, as we all played every sport in middle school. And I mean every sport! When you live in a small town you get to play everything, because there's not a ton of kids. I played volleyball, basketball, tennis, and ran track.....did I miss anything? Was I good at any of these sports? Oh, heck no! I was horrible at sports, but I wasn't going to be the only girl in my little clan who was in Athletics. So I got out there and did my darnedest! And when high school came along, I quit.

My best friend, Sarah, and I at our 8th grade Valentine's Dance

Sarah and I at my wedding, still besties!

  In high school I was a band nerd and on the school newspaper staff. Some of the pounds started packing on at that time. My Mom passed away one month into my freshman year, so that really affected my eating habits. My Mom had always been the cook in the house. She was an amazing cook and even ran her own cafe, so after she was gone we didn't really eat healthy. My Dad worked really long hours, so my brother and I were usually on our own at dinner time, and Hamburger Helper was easy. I also probably did a lot of emotional eating during that time. My Mom was gone....my world was upside down. I was about 195 pounds by the time I graduated from high school. I continued to gain weight over the next few years.
   I know this will probably sound weird, but I can't even remember my food choices or how exactly I got to 220 pounds.....mainly because I just had a huge, and I mean HUGE lack of awareness when it came to food. I convinced myself, ok lied to myself, and said that I was happy and that's all that mattered. I just ate whatever I wanted, when I wanted, and I never did any kind of exercise. Now that I've changed all that I sit back sometimes and think about certain meals that I used to eat, and I cry. Honestly, I will cry because I just don't know how I was so unaware. For one example, my Dad used to take my brother and I to school, but on the way he'd stop at a gas station in town that sold breakfast tacos, so that we could get something for breakfast. I would go inside and get two greasy breakfast tacos, a honey bun and a 21 oz. Dr. Pepper. Oh my goodness! Tear.

Me, at my HS graduation, 2003

   Ok....wipe up the tears, and let's move on.
   So....I vividly remember the time right before I started losing weight. My Dad and Stepmom decided to have a little destination wedding, so a few months afterwards they threw a big party for all our family and friends back home. I remember I was getting ready for the party, and decided to weigh myself. I don't even know how I had a scale. It was probably one of those purchases when I'd convinced myself that I was going to get healthy. Those little spurts tended to last a few days, maybe a week at the most.....and then I would again convince myself that I was happy, and that's all the really mattered. That day when I weighed myself, I was 220 pounds.
   Soon after that day some wonderful friends opened a fitness center in our little town. It was the first time we'd ever seen anything like that in a place that didn't even have a stoplight. I began working out there.....slowly, but surely. I remember when I first started I wasn't even able to do three minutes on the elliptical without feeling like death was knocking at my door.....or trying to knock me off of that machine! Three minutes!!
   I slowly began to lose weight because I went from absolutely no activity to actually moving. I don't know what motivated me to keep at it this time around, but I did. At this time I was just working out, my eating habits had not changed.
   After awhile I discovered that if I changed the way I ate and continued to exercise, I'd lose even more weight! Such a innovative and new idea, I know!
   So, when that change occurred I always say that that's when I went crazy. Once I figured out eating less helped you lose weight I took it a bit too far....ok, a lot too far! I became obsessed, and I mean OBSESSED with calories! I never went out to eat, I counted every single calorie that went into my mouth, and I wouldn't even touch anything if I didn't know exactly how many calories were in. I remember having anxiety if I knew there was an upcoming event and I wouldn't be able to control what I was going to eat. There were a lot of things going on in my life that I couldn't control, but eating was not one of them. I could completely control what I ate. I had that power.
   During this time I also became a slave to my scale. I would weigh myself every morning, and would also experience anxiety over this also.

Me, too skinny

  Food became my addiction....but not in one of those ways that you go crazy and eat tons of ice cream and oatmeal pies. I hated eating. I did not want to put calories into my body. You know how with other addictions (smoking, drinking, drugs etc.) if you have the willpower you just stop. Well, with food you can't just stop....unless you want to die. Well, I didn't want to die....even though I may have gotten pretty close.
   I never had anorexia or bulimia. Thanks to a ton of support from people in my community and church I did reach out for help. I went to a counselor for awhile. She said that I had body dysmorphic disorder, disordered eating and definitely some obsessive compulsive disorder. Let me explain the first two, as I'm sure you probably know about OCD. Body dysmorphic disorder and disordered eating both fall under the category of eating disorders, you just don't hear about them as much as anorexia or bulimia.
   Body dysmorphic disorder is defined as a chronic mental illness in which you can't stop thinking about a flaw with your appearance. I suffered from this for one main reason. When you lose a lot of weight you will be left with tons of loose skin. And, I mean a lot! I lost over 2 feet just in my waist. That was a lot of skin that had nowhere to go. Even after I'd lost over 100 pounds I still felt like I was fat, because I continued to view the loose skin as fat. I still struggle with this a little bit....but each day is a little better.
   Disordered eating is when you have an unhealthy relationship with food and/or your body. You tend to constantly think about food/meal plans, obsess about stepping on the scale, feel upset about minor fluctuations in weight, feel upset/guilty over a missed workout, restrict food intake below a healthy amount, and feel out of control about food. This was me to a perfect "T." There is nothing more to say...the definition says it all. My life, my every moment revolved around thinking (obsessing) about what I was going to eat next, and in turn, how I was going to burn it off.
   The lowest weight I got down to 103 pounds. I know you're probably thinking that's not that low, especially considering I'm only 5'3". 103 looks good on some people. 103 did not look good on this girl! My face was extremely shrunken in and bones were protruding out all over my body. Not good!
   I don't remember the exact moment that I turned "crazy" and I don't know the exact moment that I crawled back out, but thankfully I did. I actually got my weight back up to 145, but now am at a healthy and happy 125.
   I no longer obsess about calories, although I do currently still record everything that I eat. This feels safe for me. Safe is not the same as crazy....I promise. I do workout 6 days a week. A lot of my priorities have changed though. When I started this journey I wanted to lose weight so I looked better. 220 pounds didn't look good. I now focus on my eating and exercising as a healthy lifestyle. My grandmother and my mother both passed away at a very young age from cancer. I want to break the cycle and I'll do everything I can to do that.

Me, at 220 pounds

Me, at 103 pounds

Me, today at 125 pounds