Mamavation Monday – My Pledge #mamavation

MeatBeginningofWeightLossChallenge mamavation monday
Me at my heaviest at the end of July 2012. It’s 5 months later and I am actually down about 17 pounds from when this photo was taken. I cannot express to you how difficult it is for me to put this photo on my blog. When I first saw this picture I didn’t recognize myself. I cried. Then I said, “No more!”

Many of you already know that I embarked on a weight loss challenge on October 15. I consciously made the decision to do it during the holidays. I did not want to wait till the new year. I was/am tired of the New Year resolutions. Starting in January, I’m going to “blah, blah, blah, blah…”!

I know many of you know exactly what I’m talking about.

It was the above photo that started me on this journey. My aunt took the picture, but I didn’t see it until October.

I figured if I could lose weight through Halloween, Thanksgiving, my son’s birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, I could really do it — for good!

I’m proud to say that I’m down over 13 pounds since October 15th. I’d done it by counting calories… portion control. I have not incorporated exercise at all.

If I am to lose the 18+ pounds more I want to lose, I know I MUST exercise. But I have a difficult time with exercising. I need motivation. I good kick in the butt to get me started.

So I am making a pledge. More specifically I am making a pledge to the mamavation sistahood. I pledge that I will live a healthier life. I pledge that I will move more… much more! I will quit with the self-negative talk.

I need the motivation. I need the camaraderie of like-minded women. I’ve lurked for some time on the Mamavation forum as well as the #mamavation Twitter stream, and when I saw that contest for the #iheartOmron Fitness Challenge, I knew I could NOT be just a lurker anymore. I would love to be chosen for this challenge. I am ready for this challenge. But regardless if I’m chosen or not, I will be the best sista in the mamavation sistahood I can be!

So Mamavation Sistahood, if you will have me, I would love to be a part of such a dedicated, helpful, beautiful and smart group of women.

69 Comments

  1. your taking a great step in the right direction. I know mamavation has helped many women to stay on track and lose weight while getting healthy

  2. You look great to me in this picture:) Good luck and I know you can do it.

    1. Author

      You’re one of my best friends, you would say that! lol Love you, dear friend!

  3. Donna, first congrats on your weight loss and taking back control of your health. I’m rooting for you to reach your goal and I hope you get picked for the challenge!

    1. Author

      Thank you so much Kelly! I am proud of myself, too. 🙂 My fingers are crossed, I really want it, because I would love the money to buy new clothes after I lose the weight. But… I will continue to lose weight and get healthy, AND reach my goal whether I get chosen or not!

  4. I gained 10 pounds after the marriage. I felt awful, my tight jeans /pants hurt the worse. The cause, desserts on vacation, less exercise and other indiscretions with lifestyle.
    A hard part of this weight loss is change of habit. I am going to rejoin the gym and exercise when I have avoided it lately-after work. It will have to be 5 days a week. There when’s- today..(OK maybe Wednesday since it is New Years Eve)….Happy New Year!!
    You are an inspiration and look wonderful!

    1. Author

      Barbara, you are so tiny… but I understand what you mean. I am working hard on breaking bad habits and creating new healthier ones. Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad that you are a part of this family!!!

  5. Congrats on the 13 pounds down! That’s fantastic! I know you will find the support you need as part of the Sistahood. I’ll be cheering you on. 🙂

  6. You’re already motivated and committed so they’d be crazy not to include you! Congrats on all the success so far!

  7. Great job losing weight through the holidays! That is definitely a tough task. Welcome to mamavation!

    1. Author

      Thank you Sarah! It has been tough, but it’s getting easier. But that is exactly why I decided to start in Oct. instead of waiting till Jan. 1st. I’m so glad I did!

  8. Sweet! I’m so glad you are pledging to Mamavation. It seems you are already well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. I look forward to getting to know you!

    1. Author

      Thank you, Krista! I’m looking forward to getting to know you, too!

  9. Glad you are pledging Mamavation. Good luck with your goals!

    1. Author

      Thank you, Penelope! And that is very sweet of you to say. It’s not me, though. In fact, when I saw that pic, I didn’t recognize myself, seriously. Plus all my weight has gone to my stomach/middle, and that isn’t heart healthy at all.

  10. Congratulations on your loss!! I’m super excited to have the change to get to know you and good luck on the challenge!

  11. I’ve been a lurker and just pledged today, too– you’re right, the camaraderie and support are so important! And I think you have enviable hair, just FYI.

    1. Author

      Good luck to you, too, Naomi! I look forward to getting to know you! And thanks… I’m thinking about doing something a little different with my hair. I will keep it relatively long, though. 🙂

  12. You’re beautiful! Wishing you much success!!!

  13. Good for you for starting right away and losing 13 pounds! That is awesome! I hope 2013 brings you more accomplishments towards your goal.

  14. Congrats on the weight loss! Mamavation will certainly help you with the exercise part, it certainly has helped me!! Welcome!!

    1. Author

      Thanks you! The only thing I’m nervous about as far as strength training goes, is that the scales will go up. And I need the scales to go down… at least till I get 4 or 5 more pounds down. I know that the number on the scale is insignificant if I lose inches and go down in clothing sizes, but it’s a “head” thing… :/

  15. Yep – when you want it bad enough, those holiday cookies aren’t going to get in your way! Kudos to you!

    1. Author

      Absolutely! I am NOT letting anything get in my way! 🙂 Thanks!

  16. Good luck. I recently started Weight Watchers and I know I need to get back to my serious workouts.

    1. Author

      I’ve heard great things about WW. Yep, the exercise will be the hardest part for me. I hate to exercise. I started yesterday, though. I will do it, like it or not. 🙂

  17. Congrats on your current weight loss! It took my 8 months to finally start exercising when I started my weight loss journey. Once you start, you will feel so good afterwards. Good luck! 🙂

    1. Author

      Thank you, Megan! I know that I’ll start feeling much better and once I see my body transforming I’ll be even more motivated! 🙂

  18. Welcome to Mamavation. I know you can reach that goal – and we’ll be here to support you!

  19. WOW Donna! What an impressive result from one small change! Congratulations!

    I’m a ghostwriter and I recently wrote a book on health. One part covered interval training. There’s a ton of research which shows you get better results from 20 minutes of interval training than you do from 20 minutes of steady aerobic exercise.

    For some reason interval training triggers your metabolism to keep working up to 4 hours after you’re done exercising – which of course means you burn more fat and develop lean muscle more quickly.

    On the other hand, with steady aerobic exercise you get a boost in metabolism *during* the exercise, but once you’re done exercising your metabolism returns to normal. Even worse, your body thinks it needs to hold on to some of that fat to use as energy during the next workout.

    Basically interval training is alternating between 1 minute of high intensity exercise and 1 minute of low intensity exercise. Anyone in any physical condition can do it because your 1 minute of high intensity will be different than a tri-athlete’s high intensity.

    You don’t need special equipment or a gym membership. You can walk, bike ride, swim, run, or even go up and down your stairs. Whatever works best for you and your fitness level.

    Anyway, I thought if you knew about interval training it might help you get more out of your efforts. I’m a mom and often pressed for time. Anything that helps me get more done in less time is a win with me! 😉

    1. Author

      Thanks for the great advice, Tiffney! I’m familiar with interval training and will be incorporating it into my exercise routine this month! 🙂

  20. You are beautiful! Congratulations on your weight loss and I know you’ll keep up the hard work. I despised exercising at first and now I get moody if I don’t get my daily workout in!

    1. Author

      Ah, thank you, Marcie! Yeah, exercise is hard for me… when I was younger, I loved it. But over the last 8 years or so, I would rather do anything than exercise. But I think you’re right, once I get into the habit of it, I’ll love it (or at least like it). 🙂

  21. Way to go! You’ve really done an awesome job, especially through the holiday season! It’s hard for me not to eat stuff here and there with all the treats around! I’m looking forward to seeing you succeed in 2013!

    1. Author

      Thank you, Tiffany! Yep, it was hard. I’m not depriving myself, though. At least 3 times a week I eat things I want/love, but keep in mind portion control, and allow for the calories. Calories in/Calories out. 🙂

  22. Congrats on the 13 pounds. I know that every pound is difficult. Good luck in continuing on that quest and the Sistahood and Mamavation.

  23. Donna I think you’re BEAUTIFUL! I really hope you get everything that you want from Mamavation and more 🙂 You can do it!

  24. Congrats on the 13lbs! I lost decent weight with portion control without exercise – its amazing what a small change can do.

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