8 Months - Setbacks - surgery...

Well, today is Nov. 7, 2013 - almost exactly 8 months since I've started my Healthy Journey!
I have gotten down to 133 lbs....about a month ago - and am back up to 138.5.  Right back at my 50 lb mark (yet again).
September was an incredibly BUSY month...  We were on tour with American Idol finalist, Phil Stacey - which took weeks (mths) preparing for - then the day AFTER the tour was over, my BFF and I headed to
St. Louis for a Joyce Meyer Women's Conf, (which is our annual get-a-way)...where we were rear-ended, which led to me having Whip-Lash... UGH!
So - back home - and having therapy on my neck... now into the month of October, and I have a major Gall Bladder attack...so admitted into the hospital, Gall Bladder OUT - and told to stay off my Weight Loss Program (Medi-fast) for at least 3 weeks....
So - what would most Health Coaches do?  Keep good habits, eat 6 x's a day, and make healthy choices.  What do I do??  Not eat ANYTHING the first week, eat EVERYTHING the 2nd week, and eat sporadically the 3rd week.  Which all equals gaining 5.5 lbs!!!  UGH..really?  CRAZY!
Well... Now that I've gotten out my CONFESSION...  I can now focus on getting back on track.  I've done pretty well this week, and I'm determined, once again...because, believe it or not - those 5.5 lbs., I can FEEL in my JEANS!

50 lbs - GONE !!!!

                                        HUGE GOAL....  50 LB WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I know this blog insert is before my 6 months..but I'm just too happy NOT to share :)

The "big" picture above was taken this past December - Christmas Morning to be exact...  Dec 25, 2012
The picture with my beautiful daughter and  I was taken August 17, 2013.

I started my Healthy Journey - on March 11, 2013...  and I weighed on August 27, 2013 - and reached my 50 LB Weight Loss!!  That is  5 mths and 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for an answer for yourself or a loved one....Here is my website and contact information!

                                                             amberkarns.tsfl.com

Blessings to you all!!!!!!!!!

5 MONTHS :)

5 months have come (and gone) and I'm just now getting this posted... UGH.

It's been kind of crazy busy here.  A lot going on, and my family and I just got back from our Road Trip Vacation to Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota :)  What a blast we had!

1st off...  My weight at 5 months....August 12 - 142.5 lbs!  I am down 46.5 lbs!!!!!!!  That's just a CRAZY dream that has become a reality!

Pics....

Measurements:
THEN:  Upper Arms: 15.3                       NOW:    Upper arms at 12.5 inches   -2.8

                       Chest  43                                                  Chest at 36.7 inches   -6.3

                       Waist  40.5                                               Waist at 32.7 inches   -7.8

                          Hips 46                                                   Hips at 39.5 inches    -6.5

                       Thighs 28.5                                             Thighs at 25 inches       -3.5

These are Rough measurements - but to say I'm Thrilled is not saying enough :)  I started off a size 16, and now a size 10.

I am 12.5 lbs from my goal (130 lbs).  And we will see...when I get to 130, I will re-evaluate.  See if I'm happy there, or can go a few more lbs..  I'm short, so I could probably lose a little more.  But - we will see!!

As far as the Health Coach Business side of things - I now have 8 clients that I'm so excited to be coaching!  I love the weekly weigh ins - and getting to participate in the JOY they have as they say GOODBYE to that old number!!  :)  Life is Good!

Our VACATION:  That was an adventure...  I planned, and prepped, and still had a few set-backs...but overall, I'd say it was a Success!  I stepped on the scale today - just for good measure, and had lost .5 lbs., while on a "road - trip" vacation!  That was pretty awesome!

Bye for now, my friends...;.

MONTH 4

Well, friends...  I can NOT believe that I've been on the Take Shape For Life (Medifast) program for 4 months now....  and to tell you the truth...  it's been pretty darn easy for me!  I'm almost shocked as to how I do not (for the most part) crave ANYTHING....  Sure if I'm around something that I used to eat all the time (tacos / pizza / baked potatoes) - my first "thought" may be..."I remember how GREAT that tastes"...but then I do a quick reality check to myself...and think of the weight I've lost - and how Great I feel - and those yummy thoughts dissipate.  Instead I fill up my water bottle, find my Healthy food - and keep going...

4 months...  My weight is at 150.5.  I've lost 38.5 lbs in 4 months!  WOW....  I can't stress enough how HEALTHY I feel!  The energy I have is incredible.  I also just realized this week how my Sleep has changed.  When I first started on this program, I remember telling my health coach - I just can't stay asleep.  I was getting to sleep okay, but STAYING asleep was another thing...  I'd got to sleep around midnight - and be awake at 4am.  NOW... I'm ready for bed about 10pm or so - and literally can sleep until 7am!  It feels so good to have SLEEP.  I'm not saying for sure that it was TSFL - but I really think that getting some weight off, and eating HEALTHY really was the key.

Ok...so now for my measurements:

Day 1:                                            Month 4                                               Total Loss

Upper arms at 15.3 inches              Upper arms at 12.4 inches                     -2.9 inches

Chest at 43 inches                          Chest at 38 inches                                  -5 inches

Waist at 40.5 inches                       Waist at 33.5 inches                               -7 inches

Hips at 46 inches                            Hips at 39.75 inches                              -6.25 inches

Thighs at 28.5 inches                     Thighs at 24.9 inches                             -3.6 inches

It's definitely coming off...  NOW - I need to tone!

Here's the PICs....

Birthday

Today I turn 42.  And I'm having a GREAT day so far!  :)

2 years ago, when I turned 40, I had a really hard time with that.  I remember the night before, sitting in my bedroom, and literally crying....  I don't even think it had to do with the "number" of years...it was the fact that I was so unhappy with myself - AND moving to the next decade in life being overweight was overwhelming.  I actually decided then to lose some weight...but still didn't.
Here's a picture of me from a few months after my 40th bday...

This year is so different!  I'm 2 years OLDER, but yet feel SO GREAT!  I'm so happy to have lost....
33 lbs so far!  (Yes, that's 2 more pounds this week).  It feels so wonderful to be in my 150's (156 to be exact), and I just feel GOOD.  No more depression.  No more worrying about what to wear.

Now I'm saying...bring it on, 42....  :)

Month 3

I can't believe 3 months have come and gone...My life has changed so much since then!  Those who have never struggled with weight, probably wouldn't understand how my "life" can change so much...but really, it has!  My whole persona...my attitude...my self-confidence...my lack of depression...my clothes :)

My weight is 158.  Yes, you read that right!  I am in my 150's :)  I'm down 31 lbs.  Very consistent with the 1-2 lb loss typical of the Medifast 5 & 1 plan.  I have now passed my 1/2 way point.  :)  WhooHoo.  My goal is 130 - so I have 28 lbs. left.

Ok...  here's my Stats and pics....

Day 1:                                            Month 3                                               Total Loss

Upper arms at 15.3 inches              Upper arms at 12.4 inches                     -2.9 inches

Chest at 43 inches                          Chest at 39.5 inches                               -3.5 inches

Waist at 40.5 inches                       Waist at 35.25 inches                             -5.25 inches

Hips at 46 inches                            Hips at 41.25 inches                              -4.75 inches

Thighs at 28.5 inches                     Thighs at 26.6 inches                             -2 inches

  

My pants are definitely too baggy...next pic's I'll actually wear something more form fitting...but you can still see the difference!

Ok...so I'll see you again either in a week - or maybe I'll start blogging monthly...unless I need to VENT :) LOL...  Blessings to you all!

Week 11: Grad party & Family Reunion

Week 11 - I lost anther 1.5 lbs.  - Which I am EXTREMELY happy with!
I'm down a total of  26.5 lbs in 11 weeks....Crazy - right?  YUP.

This week was kind of wild & crazy (I know, what week isn't around the Karns' house, right?)

2 of my boys (and I) went and auditioned for "The King & I" with our community theater group, Prairie Players, on Thursday...  Full night - and I was an hour late eating...  (by the way - I am playing one of the Kings' wives, Oldest son is a Palace Guard, and middle son is a Royal child)

Friday - ran errands all day, getting ready to travel to Missouri the next day for my cousins' grad party, and a family reunion the next day....  And Friday night, my parents and my husband & I went to a Dinner Theater (Circa 21) for our early Anniversary.  Had a great time - and yes, I stayed on track :)  They always have a buffet, and I knew that there would be choices for me....  They had Tilapia and Pork (roast) - so I had some of that - and a salad, and mixed veggies....  Yummy, and I was full!

I actually had to eat a 7th time this day - the first time I've ever done that!!!!!!!!!!!!  But, it was late when we got back, and I still needed to get things packed for our trip....

Saturday - we left for Missouri....  It was so good to be around the family again!  We stayed at my aunt & uncles house - and my aunt (who is really more a friend - since she's a year younger than me) and I stayed up pretty late - which means, yes, I ate a 7th time again that day!  I know it's ok...but it makes me nervous for some reason!  Just being real!

Sunday - the family reunion...  There was nothing I could eat there.  Seriously - NOTHING.  But that's ok...I was prepared, and just had my Yummy Honey Mustard Pretzel Sticks!!!  I love those things!  Seriously!  My family left Missouri, and headed home - stopped at Cracker Barrel, and I got grilled Chicken tenders and Green Beans (boy do I love their green beans).

All in all...I say it was a successful weekend!!!