Weight Loss Journey {+95 lbs in 7 years}

Alright. Lets talk about how i went from anorexic, to MORBIDLY OBESE,

to where i am now.......in 7 years.

This post, and the 2 following it, are all going to tie together.

 So you might want to stay tuned for the next few posts as well :)) 

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Before i begin, In case you wonder, im 5'7 1/2 tall, and 23 years old.

In high school, as most girls do, i struggled with an eating disorder. I was "chubby" growing up, and once i hit about 16 years old... i was starting to FINALLY get noticed by boys.. but this made me even more self conscious of my body. I HATED my tummy. Fixated on it. Blamed everything on being fat. I didnt make the cheer team cuz i was fat. I never got asked on dates because i was fat. I tripped on that rock [wait for it.....] indeed, because i was FAT. Im not kidding. It was that bad.

This led to my eating disorder. I never ate. And if i did. I felt SOOOO guilty, and would go throw it up. But even when i was nothing but skin and bones.. 135 lbs was the lowest i weighed, being 5'7.5 tall.

Then i met my husband. Long story short, he made me the happiest person in the world. Got back to a healthy weight, and never struggled with an eating disorder after that. (Even still to this day. Mind over matter i tell you). We got married in 2007 (18 years old) and i eventually gained my marriage weight they talk about..

+20 lbs

Then in Nov 2008, we FINALLY got pregnant with our Daughter. At 12 weeks along, i developed high blood pressure, had to quit my job and become a couch potato or i would risk my baby girl's life as well as my own.... It was a HORRIBLE pregnancy. Swelling, aches, pains, my boobs TRIPLED in size, worries, NST's (non stress tests), ultrasounds, and was eventually induced 3 weeks early cuz my blood pressure was getting worse....

+60 lbs

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Alright. Lets pause and break this down. That puts me at 

80 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT!!! 

 ok. Lets continue

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I had Braylee in June 2009 (20 years old)

And this was the aftermath..... [[PREPARE YOUR EYES]]

This is where i [no joke] am considered to be morbidly obese.

By looking at the pics..Not a shocker, i know.

So here comes the weight LOSS side of this story. 

[PHEW]

When i had Braylee, from my high blood pressure, i had a LOT of water weight and swelling. It took about 2 weeks, but once the swelling was gone, along with eating better, i lost 30 lbs right off the bat! [thats a lot of water weight!].

Then i tried the HCG craze going on at that time.

I lost 20 more lbs... but i do NOT recommend taking hcg for weight loss. I REALLY believe it caused my next health issue.

From there, in Feb 2011, after my miscarriage, i found out i had HYPOthyroidism. It took NINE MONTHS.. but we eventually found my right medication dose, i started feeling better, and started Insanity again. I eventually lost 10 more lbs.

Now lets pause again to make sure you took mental note of this..

thats 60 LBS LOST!!

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I was at my PEAK! I felt AMAZING...... But we wanted to try for a baby again. It took a year of being scared to try again, wanting to get my thyroid under control, and wanting to lose weight and get healthy... but when we started trying for a baby, it took ONE shot..

I really think my thyroid being under control had everything to do with it, but my pregnancy with my son was BEAUTIFUL! I felt healthy, i ate right, worked out, no problems, it was great. Baiden came 4 weeks early on his own (September 23rd 2012).. but i only gained +20 lbs.

In only 4 months, with working out HARD, and eating right, i lost all the baby weight!

This is normal with hypothyroidism after you have a baby.. but in February, my thyroid went CRAZY again! So for the last 2 months, ive been in limbo with my medication, but about 3 weeks ago.. we got the right dose, and my thyroid has been under control!

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So here i am now.

6 more lbs down!

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So IN A NUT SHELL... 

In a 7 year time frame, i GAINED 95 lbs [HOLY macaroni!]. 

And LOST 66 lbs.

Im 14 lbs away from my goal weight. 

My healthy weight range for my height, and what i was at in high school.

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BUT...... Pregnancy has a way of "changing" things. But thats a whole separate post. 

Stay tuned for that on Sunday.

Workout Playlist! {Motivation Mondays}

Its Tuesday MORNING, im not THAT far past Monday... haha

(Im SOO busy with editing Valentines day shoots!!)

Anyway! This week for Motivation Mondays i wanted to do something a little different. Check the video for my check in and what im doing and how much ive lost this week!

Ok!

So as mentioned in the video...

Music has a HUGE impact on your workouts! 

As with anything in life, music can enhance and alter your mood. It can make you happy, sad, mad, empower you, motivate, etc! Music makes me feel better no matter what my mood is!

So when i workout, i NEED my workout playlist!

I can NOT workout without my ipod.

So if you are ever wondering what music is good to workout to... here ya go!!

I garentee these songs will pump you up and make you get more out of your workout!!

{WARNING}

i dont bother to find edited songs..

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Vote daily if you would!

Just click this link, then the left brown bubble!

THATS IT!

FINALLY Losing Weight! {What Im Doing Different}

Guys.

LIFE has hit us HARD.

Ill update you soon, but i apologize for being so M.I.A.

I told you i was going to get my Motivation Mondays post up on Tuesday, but we're going through a really crazy time right now. If you follow my instagram you are aware of a little bit of it.

ANYWAY.

I recorded this on Monday and took pics on Monday, and im just now getting it posted.

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After OVER a MONTH of NO weight loss (when doing Insanity and dieting), due to my thyroid being off, i FINALLY have progress!!!

Watch the video to see what im doing different!

Progress pics in the last 2 weeks!

Follow my on Instagram to see progress pics!

i try to post them every Friday!

Weight Loss Roadblocks {M.M}

Still struggling with my thyroid and lack of weight loss,
but i just wanted to chat about weight loss roadblocks :)

(also did a little check in as far as what im currently doing!)

 THUNDA THIGHS!!
Haha gotta bulk up, then ill tone down after insanity.

Motivation Mondays {Thyroid Update}

Ugly Side Of Hypothyroidism....

as if there is a pretty side?

Anyway.. its been 2 weeks now sense ive done a motivation monday post.

And i haven't done any watch me shrink videos either.

This is why.

Motivation Mondays {Fat People Are LAZY}

Weight Loss: 1 pound
Inches Lost:
Waist: -1/2 inch
Belly: -1/2 inch
Hips: -0

Current Workout Plan:
Jillian Micheals, ripped in 30

Diet:
Just eating healthy, watching portions, etc.

Motivation Mondays {FAIL!}

So we failed this week.
I got sick with the stomach flu and yada yada....
So THIS week.. will be the start :)

Dont judge me.

Motivation Mondays!! {IS BAAACK!!}

Are you so excited??
I AM!!



Im 17 pounds down from pregnancy.
2 more till im back to pre-pregnancy weight..

Need to loose 20 lbs to be in my healthy weight range for my height!!

Check back here every Monday to see how im doing and to get a little motivation if you need some!

Where Is The Love?......

Motivation Mondays is donzo till baby is here and im back to loosing weight.

But i think i will still post motivational things on Monday, they just wont always be fitness oriented.

Ya dig?
(ALSO, check here on Wednesdays for pregnancy posts!)

So we have ALL hear the song "Where Is The Love" by Black Eyed Peas..

But have you really sat down and digested all the lyrics?

Where Is The Love

What's wrong with the world mama
People living like they ain't got no mama
I think the whole world's addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that will bring you trauma
Over seas, yeah, we tryin' to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here living in the USA
The big CIA, the Bloods, and the Crips and the KKK 

But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you got to have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y'all

[Chorus]
People killing, people dying
Children hurtin', hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Or would you turn the other cheek
Father father father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questioning
Where is the love

It just ain't the same all the ways of change
New days are strange 
Is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why the pieces of love don't belong
Nations dropping bombs
Chemical gases filling lungs of little ones
With ongoing suffering as the youth are young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
The world that we're living in 
People keep on giving in
Making wrong decisions only visions of the dividend
Not respecting each other
Denying thy brother
A war going on, but the reasons undercover
The truth is kept secret
It's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love y'all, c'mon, I don't know
Where's the truth y'all, c'mon, I don't know
Where's the love y'all

[Chorus]

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older y'all people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us following the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids want to act like what they see in the cinemas

Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love
We spreading animosity
Lack of understanding
Leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep our faith alive 'till love is found

With every fiber of my being..
i wish this world was a better place.
But it seems so unrealistic.


But where you you think change starts?
It starts with us, ourselves. 


To be the best WE can be.


Have a heart. Be a good person. Think of others before yourself. STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT! Dont close your eyes and turn away cuz your scared of the bullies and negative feedback. 
Make a difference. 

Motivation Mondays {7 Weeks Prego}

Haha, i cant win with these still shots.
--> VLOG CHANNEL <---
GO SUBSCRIBE!

Anyway.
In the vid i explained that i am probably doing away with motivation mondays until after i have baby.
They are just getting boring and i dont want to combine fitness and pregnancy.

But i WILL be starting "Hump Day Bump Day" on Wednesdays.
So all my pregnancy stuff will be on Wednesdays.

So yes vlogging vednesdays is ending too.
No one was linking up so yea.

I THINK that is all the changes happening to Young&Restless Blog.

Vote daily! :)

Motivation Mondays! {Pregnancy&Fitness}

Today im doing a little pregnancy talk, showing the belly, and MOST importantly,

talk about happiness DURING weight loss!

And the importance your emotions play in life in general, but mostly fitness.

Here is the video i was talking about.
And here is the comparison picture i said i would post

 Again..
How is this even POSSIBLE?! My thyroid is still good, B/P good, Ive continued working out and have NOT gained ANY weight. Farther along? twins? bloated? Im assuming bloated but WOW haha. Either way, i like it cuz it reminds me im good and pregnant. Last pregnancy i was never bloated, never felt prego. We are going good :)

Look at them babies!

Im continuing to work out. Ive talked to my doctor and she said i can continue doing what i was doing as long as i feel comfortable. So im doing Jillian Micheals "ripped in 30" still, but i only do it about 4 days a week now instead of 6 days a week. Im still wanting to take it easy for now, but stay healthy.

Health and fitness is so important!

Even during pregnancy.

Join me every monday if you need some motivation :)

Vote daily if you will :)

Motivation Mondays {IM PREGNANT}

In case you missed it on Saturday, 

you can find the post ---> HERE <----

Whats going to happen to Motivation Mondays??

Watch the Vlog and ill tell you!

So yea i want to continue my motivation mondays, they just might be more "fit pregnancy" based. But dont worry, ill do normal fitness stuff too so it applied to everyone. But lets be honest, everyone and their DOG in pregnant right now haha.

WHY is it important to stay FIT during pregnancy??

During pregnancy, exercise can.. 

• ease or prevent back pain and other discomforts. 
• Boost your energy level (us pregos all know we need that!). 
• PREVENT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT GAIN! You are SUPPOSED to gain 20-30 pounds during pregnancy, but anything more is usually excessive, unhealthy, and REALLY hard to get rid of once baby is born! 
• Reduce tje rosl pf gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure and postpartum depression.
• Increase stamina and muscle strength, which helps you prepare for labor

Now when i was pregnant with Braylee, i was SO scared of miscarriage (i had a miscarriage before her) that i completely stopped working out when i had been pretty active before i got pregnant with Braylee. Then at 12 weeks (yes, TWELVE WEEKS) I developed high blood pressure, got put on bed rest, the whole works. I was eventually taken off bed rest but the weight just PACKED on! I had to quit working, just walking would raise my blood pressure and that can cause seizures and death to my unborn child.

And as you guys know, almost 3 years AFTER Braylee was born, i was still struggling to loose all the baby weight and found out i had hypothyroidism.

SO MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS come from being over weight!

BUT ON THAT NOTE,

Maybe its just an issue with girls my age, but all too often i hear about girls that get pregnant and CRY over gaining ONE pound. They FREAK out. Ill hear them talk about how little they eat and my heart cringes. They'll boast and brag about how the didnt gain any weight or only like 10 pounds. (and these are tiny tiny girls that NEEDED to gain pregnancy weight). 

This is not a time to skimp on food or count calories. You're not quite eating for two people, but you do need extra nutrients for your growing fetus. The general recommendation is to eat about 300 extra calories a day. You'll need to gain 25 to 35 pounds during your pregnancy. This will allow you to nourish your fetus and store nutrients for breast-feeding. Expect to gain at least 3 to 4 pounds during the first trimester.

(INFO FOUND HERE)

So find your happy medium girls.

Strive to be HEALTHY, not "skinny" or "tiny" during pregnancy.

(Motivation Mondays} Week 11, WEIGHT Disclosure

I asked you guys last week to guess my weight..

The average was 150 ish

Jean size 7-9

NOW I WILL TELL YOU!

{Turn music off at bottom of page}

Shrinking and Toning.

11 weeks.

13 pounds down (1-2 pounds per week is healthy)

2 inches in waist

3 inches in belly

Take that haters!

My diet is fine.
Thanks hunnie :)
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Could ya?

Click on the ^^^ then click the LEFT bubble.
THATS IT!

Thanks for all the support guys :)

Motivation Mondays! {GUESS MY WEIGHT!}

Today we are going to play a game :)

I have never disclosed my weight or measurements because i was going to have everyone guess!

Ill tell you why next week where i will also disclose my weight and jean size!

So watch the vid and ill give you info to help you guess

as well as my regular body check in.

Body still shots..
Last weeks pic

So comment on this post with your guesses!
(or email, fb, twitter, text, whatever works)
Feel free to comment anonymously if you are worried you might hurt my feelings.
Which you WONT.
Im not sensitive about my weight.
i wouldnt be doing this if i was.

Reminder:
Im 5'7, down 13 pounds, 2 inch in waist, and 3 inch in belly.

I will disclose my weight and such in next week's vid!!

Motivation Mondays! {Shirt vs NO Shirt}

First off... here is my watch me shrink video

You should probably watch the whole video so you know why
im going to be talking about shirts vs no shirts

{TURN OFF MUSIC AT BOTTOM OF PAGE}

OK.
So dont even worry, im not phased by the negative comments but regardless, i like to address them haha.

So yes, in my videos, i wear minimal clothing..
BUT ITS WATCH ME SHRINK VIDEOS!
You cant show toning through shirts and shorts..
Im CHUBBY, i have STRETCH MARKS, i have LOOSE SKIN everywhere...
NOT PRETTY!!
So why the am i viewed as UNclassy or slutty?
These videos arent sexual.... they are nasty haha..
These vids are to motivate MYSELF and OTHERS....
Get over it haters haha....

Anyway..... ill prove my point.
SHIRT vs NO shirt lol

Do you see how well even a white shirt hides the toning and shape (or lack there of lol)

(Yes my right side has more saggy skin...)

World of differance.. and if im toning.. how are you going to see that through a shirt??

Thats it with the comparisons..
Now just some normal week 9 body shots

I mentioned in my video what im doing to loose weight and my diet.
So make sure you watch that.

Total weight loss in 9 weeks: -13 pounds (with a 3 week plateau)
Waist: -2 inches
Belly: -3 inches
Lower belly/Skin sag area: 2 inches

Motivation Mondays {8 weeks Body Transformation}

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have broke my plateau!!

Body Transformation in 8 weeks.

Motivation Mondays {Week 7 Shrinkage}

AHHHHHHHH guys i am SOOOO done with this plateau! 3 weeks now! Ruled out my thyroid being the cause, and MOST LIKELY ruled out pregnancy. Had blood work done and it was negative. So im either not prego or it was still too soon to tell. I have been having so many prego symptoms though its frustrating.

Ive slowed down on the insanity and am trying other things to try to break my plateau but nothing is working. WAAAA! Anywho... sorry

this is MOTIVATION mondays, knock it off Christa!

Lets get to this :)

This is ONLY a 5 pound difference.

DONT get discouraged about small weight loss. Focus on how you FEEL, how your clothes FIT. Measure your inches. TAKE PICTURES! I havent lost inches but i can SEE the difference. Im toning more. I can see all the changes and i think that is what makes this plateau worth fighting through :)

This week i am talking about LITTLE TIPS for not so active people or people who DESPISE working out

Here they are:

• MAKE reasons to use the stairs: Whe you are out and about, take the stairs rather than the elevator. When you are home, PURPOSELY leave things upstairs so that you have to go up those dang stairs more often!
• Tip Toe it out! When you are brushing your teeth, stand on your tippy toes. Work those  sexy calves! When making a sandwhich, tip toe it out! You get the point.
• Lunge to your destination! A friend of mine told me about how when she used to work grave yards she had like NO time to work out cuz she was sleeping and taking care of you kids during the day, then worked at night. So at work she would walk around doing lunges. Helped keep her awake and also kept her legs and abs working hard! :). So anytime you walk across the room for something, do some lunges!
• Do some sit ups and push ups before bed! Make it a habit, you'll see a difference for sure.

Diet tips!

• Buy WHEAT bread instead of WHITE: White bread is SOOOO bad for you! And wheat bread really isnt bad. I actually prefer wheat bread and only give my daughter wheat bread. If you dont like the taste, you will adapt, trust me.
• Use SEA salt instead of regular: Sea salt is so much better for you!
• Use MARGARINE instead of real BUTTER: Ive never liked real butter. I feel like im eating straight up LARD. ew. "I cant believe its not butter" even has a light version.
• Drink WATER instead of JUICE or soda! Soda is nothing but EMPTY calories that do NOTHING for you. Even juice isnt that great. Eat an actual apple instead of apple juice. Juice is full of preservatives and extra sugars and chemicals. Even if it says 100% juice. Look at the label. Does it EVER say "Ingredients: Water & apples." No.. there is a lot of extra JUNK!

Well i think you get the point.

These SMALL changes make a HUGE difference.

Now for my shrink video haha. 

Motivation Mondays {Week 6 shrinkage}

Nutrition Tip:
Power pack regular meals and even cheat meals with veggies!

Tacos on wheat tortillas :)