Progress Day 90

Here's a look at my progress from Day 1 til now (Day 90).  For my Day 30 and 60 progress please refer to past posts. #FIT

Before- Jan 29

240 lbs

Size 16

42” waist (around belly button) 

45” hips

27” thighs

15” upper arms

40” under bust           

      

           Day 90- April 28

213 lbs

34” waist (around belly button) 

42” hips

25.5” thighs

14” upper arms

35” under bust           

Southwestin

Took a southwest spin on my veggie burger by topping it with pepper jack cheese and avocado... on a wheat bun of course... KISS (keep it simple sweetie) #FOODIE

Let's get waisted

*spell check the title, before you get all up in arms*

I said let's get "waisted", thats waist training silly! or corsetting/compression what have you.  Disclaimer: Shannon is no fitness expert, no doctor, no trainer, so you can take this post with a grain of salt... pretty much like all of my posts really, but I do know this technique does work for me.  I came across this method on what else.. Instagram, c'mon you should know me by now lol.  Women were using these corsets/body shapers/compression bands to help slim down and sculpt/shape their bodies into how they desired along with GOOD EATING and EXERCISE.  As a true apple shaped person (most of your weight sits in your torso, mainly your gut, back, and sides... yea that sounds about right) I decided I'd give this waist training thing a try.  Unfortunately and unfairly the apple is the shape you most want to avoid when overweight, because unlike its cousins pear and hourglass, apple shape means that extra weight will be surrounding all your vital organs in the middle of your body ie your heart, lungs, liver, etc.  Before I even started this whole exercise thing I began wearing a body shaping vest that I already had from years back.  I wore it maybe with dresses, which means I could have only worn it maybe a total of once or twice.  It's the Sweet Nothings brand (Walmart) in a size 2x.  Maybe around the middle of February I found a company on IG called Dream Girl Curves Boutique that sold the very popular  Columbian made latex corsets for a lower price then some of the other companies I observed.  I decided to order one from them, but me not listening/assuming/not reading... it's fundamental; I ordered a size L when the website clearly stated order your shirt size and do not size down.  Well needless to say I should have ordered an XL, because I couldn't even get the thing hooked.  Fast forward about three, maybe four weeks later and I was able to hook the corset, but it was still super tight, because unlike the shaper from Walmart latex corsets hardly have any give.. .that's kind of the whole point.  So as to avoid being uncomfortable doing daily routines, I've been wearing the corset at night while I sleep.  I don't need to move then, and I still wear the original body shaper during the day although I'll probably have to size down that one soon.  All that to say that I have found success with this thing called "waist training".  I have been able to redefine my apple into an hourglass with the aid of this technique and ab and oblique exercises, I have lost more inches in my waist than anywhere else. #FIT

No mas pantalones

Y'all know that Progressive commercial where the two competing insurance guys lie about what they can do compared to Progressive and their pants catch on fire up to their draws and the one guy says, "no mas pantalones"? Hahahaha I know I'm not the only one who knows it.

Well lately I've been saying no mas pantalones, because the ones I have are getting to big for me to wear (I guess that's backwards?. Perhaps I should say I'm getting to small for the pants?) I digress, I did a little perusing and decided to try on this pair I found on the clearance rack in New York & Company. I picked up a size 14 & 12 not knowing what size I am right now. I tried on the 12 first and surprisingly not only did it fit, but it was a little roomy in the waist. Some have problems getting pants to fit their booty (well thats never been the case for me I don't have much of one -_-, that's why I always make sure to do my squats lol). For me the battle has always been getting pants past my thunder thighs lol. Usually if I could get them passed my legs they would fit, I guess that's still the case even after beginning to lose weight. I find my smaller/tighter fitting clothes like jeans and skinny pants I can still wear, because my legs fill them up I just buckle my belt a couple extra holes to keep the waist part in. That being said I didn't buy these particular pants any way, because they were too short. Le sigh, the struggle is real #tallgirlproblems. However I did get 3 pairs of pants, 1 from Wet Seal, and 2 from Rainbow; all long enough... Yes!! #FIT 

Size 12 pants from NY & Company that I couldn't get.
Why my job has rules against capris/cropped pants/ankle
pants, I have no idea.

P.S. I've hidden the scale from myself... well I didn't really hide it, I know where it is because I'm the one who put it there duh lol, but it was in my bathroom... such a frequented place.  I would hop on that thing morning and night just because it was there.  So I've moved it to a more inconvenient place that way I won't become so attached to it and also so I won't break it lol.

Joggin on em

My new favorite article of clothing is the "jogger".  Similar to harem pants but not necessarily with that big dip in the crotch area or the parachute affect (like "Hammer" pants).  I love them, because there so easy breezy... beautiful cover girl lol.  Ok maybe not the last part, but they're made of a thin material so great for warm weather, and they often come in soooo many different patterns and prints. #FRESH

Navy and creme joggers- Rainbow, white oversized T- Rainbow, black blazer- Ross,
necklace- Torrid, shoes- Payless

I've got the eye of the tiger... eerrr leopard

"Son, you've got to coordinate"- Pops Williams (Wayans Brothers fame) I don't usually do matchy matchy, but for some reason it just felt right in this case, so I matched up the teal of my cardigan and gold/beige of my blouse with the teal and taupe of my shoes. #FRESH

Cardigan- Rainbow, blouse- Simply Fashions, white skinny jeans-
American Eagle, shoes- Torrid

Textured textiles

I like to mix and match not only colors and patters, but textures as well. #FRESH

Knitted/quilted sweater/shawl thingy- Forever 21, denim shirt- JCPenney, belt- Walmart
pants- Gallo, necklace- Ashley Stewart, combat boots- Shoe Show

A tribe called quest

I know I've been slacking on my freshness, here in this post and the three after you'll find some of my OOTD (Outfits of the Day) for this past week. #FRESH

Tribal print cardigan/shawl/kimono thingy- Forever 21, black tank- rainbow, black pants-
New York & Company, belt- Walmart, necklace- Torrid, grey suede loafers- Payless

Nasty good

Ever notice the nastiest looking food usually taste amazing?  Think about all that ooey, gooey, cheesy, sloppy, greasy, juicy unhealthy food like pizza, burgers, subs, and any type of casserole/goolash that will look so messy and gross, but taste BOMB!  I guess the same thing can be said about some healthy foods.  This smoothie may look discussing, but it tasted great.  #FOODIE

Smothie made with strawberries, spinach, raw cane sugar, almond milk,
and for piece de resistance... a chocolate oatmeal granola bar.

This along with the smoothie was my dinner last night: collard greens
boiled to soften then sauteed with red onions with a splash of soy sauce
and my normal go to seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, and Mrs. Dash.

... and you know after I took this photo I doused the greens with my favorite thing, hot sauce.

Pizza pizza

*Little Caesar's man voice*

Made these little ditties last week.. yes I'm late on the posting.  Entyways it's ehh some what low carb, but is was good though.  Took it ol school when people used to make their own pizza bagels, but instead of bagels I used the last of my sandwich thins (the same ones from my messy johannas post) and the last of the cheese from the fritatta post... yes it took me that long to finish off those items.  For toppings I just used what I had left in my vegetable compartment of the fridge, spring onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms; topped with oregano and garlic for that Italiano flavor. #FOODIE

Progress Update

Popping in to let you guys know I've lost that quarter.  Day 68 and I'm down 25 lbs. I had been teetering and tottering up and down on that 20 for theeee longest time... Ok maybe like only 2-3 weeks lol but I say that to encourage you not to get discouraged or down.  Hard work always pays off to those who really put it in.  I remind myself of this by looking at (ok stalking) others weight loss journeys on Instagram, it's a great source of inspiration. #FIT